SOLD OUT

We have hit maximum capacity and cannot register more players.  If you would have wanted to play but were unable to register, please let k12@kychess.org know so we can determine our venue size for next year.

 

Kentucky State Grade Level Championship

The KY State Grade Level Championship determines a state champion for each grade level from K through 12.  Non-residents are welcome to play, but they may not be awarded Kentucky state titles.

Date and Location

17 January 2026

 

University of Louisville - Shelby Campus

450 N Whittington Parkway

Louisville, KY 40222

 

Founders Union Building

Room 218 A/C

 

IMPORTANT: This is not at the primary University of Louisville campus!  See https://events.louisville.edu/founders_union for a picture and map

Format

5 Rounds SS; G/25+5. There is a separate section for each grade from K through 12.  For this tournament, students must play in their own grade.  If you are unsure what grade your student is in, please contact k12@kychess.org.  

Entry Fees and Registration

Registration is online only via King Registration only (deadline 9 AM on the day of the tournament). Registration is capped at 175 participants.  On-site registrations not accepted.  If a school is paying for its students, or if a parent does not have access to online payments, alternate means may be arranged in advance; please contact k12@kychess.org.

Entry Fee is $19 for the first child in a family, and $5 for each additional child with the same parents. See the end of this listing for instructions for on registering with the "additional child" discount.

Schedule

Check-In: 9:00am-9:45am

Round 1: 10:00 AM

Round 2: ASAP

Lunch break (~1 hour)

Round 3: 1:00 PM

Round 4:  ASAP

Round 5: ASAP

Awards: ASAP as each section completes.

Players must check in by 9:45 AM to ensure they are paired for round 1. Players arriving after check-in will receive one half-point bye and will be paired in subsequent rounds. Players running late who wish to be paired for round 1 must e-mail k12@kychess.org by 9:30 AM.

Half-point byes may be requested for any round during online registration only (1 max). 

Prizes

The winner(s) of each section will be recognized by the Kentucky Chess Association as the official state champion for their grade.  Additionally, for each grade there will at least be trophies for the top three players and medals for places 5-8 in each grade.  Additional trophies and medals may be added based on turnout.    

Other Notes

• Players younger than high school age (~14) must be accompanied by an adult on site for the entire tournament.
• US Chess Federation Membership is required.  To join the USCF, visit https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess . 
• Boards and Pieces will be provided. Please bring clocks if you have them.
• Players are expected to take notation for grades 6+.  Players not taking notation will be assessed a time penalty.
• This site does not permit us to offer organized concessions or food for groups.  However, individual families are welcome to bring food.  All players will have a lunch break of at least one hour between rounds two and three, and there are many food options within a short drive.
• Time control and number of rounds may be changed based on turnout.  Sections may be merged as necessary, although prizes will be awarded according to grade. 
• Any Kentucky-resident girl who wins her grade will qualify for the inaugural Kentucky Girls Championship in the Spring, which will determine Kentucky’s nominee for the 14th Annual WIM Ruth Haring National Tournament of Girls State Champions. 
•  This is an individual event; players from the same school may be paired against each other.
• Rule variations 15A (you may write your move prior to making it) and 10I2 (you may touch the rook first when castling) will be used.  Accelerated pairings may be used at the discretion of the TD.  Electronic scoresheets are not permitted.
• Unrated players: In lieu of a published regular rating, the tournament director reserves the right to use live regular or quick USCF ratings for pairing purposes. 

Contact: Ryan Gabbard, Scholastic Coordinator, k12@kychess.org; Include "KY Grades" in the subject line.

Registering with the sibling discount

To get the use sibling discount, you need to use the discount code SIBLING for the second and subsequent kids.  However, King Registration applies any discount code give to all kids in your cart, so you need to register in either of the following ways: (1) register the first kid in one transaction, then make a second transaction with the SIBLING discount code for the remainder, or (2) add all but one kid, apply the SIBLING discount code, and then add the last kid at full price.