US Chess Grade (K-12) National Championships 2026

Main Event Registration

This is the registration page for the Main event, click the green "Register" button above.

See below for links to information pages and Side Event registrations.

Main Event links...

Click here for the main event website for the US Chess Grade (K-12) National Championships 2026

Be sure to read the 2026-27 US Chess Scholastic Rules and Regulations for all terms and conditions of the event.

US Chess will issue badges to all participants. Badges will be required to enter the defined playing area.
- Each participant registration in the tournament is allowed a single Accompanying Person
- Please Click here to read about the badging process.
Each player's rating will be review by the Rating Review Group, per the US Chess Scholastic Rules and Regulations.

Main Event Entry Fees

$105 until Monday, 10/26/2026, 11:59pm EST - Early Entry Fee
$160 until Monday, 11/09/2026, 11:59pm EST - Regular Entry Fee
$235 until Monday, 11/30/2026, 11:59pm EST - Late Entry Fee
$360 until Thursday, 12/10/2026, 8:00am EST - Late Online Entry Fee
$400 until Friday, 12/11/2026, 10:00am EST - Late Onsite-Only Entry Fee - ONLY at Chess Control

Service Charges

$40 Service Charge for all Withdrawal/Refund Requests after Monday, 10/26/2026, 11:59pm EST
$40 Service Charge for all Section Change Requests after Monday, 11/09/2026, 11:59pm EST
$40 Service Charge for all Roster Change Requests after Monday, 11/09/2026, 11:59pm EST
NO Refunds after Thursday, 12/10/2026, 11:00am EST (11am Thursday of event weekend)

Main Event Information

This US Chess Scholastic National Tournament adheres to the US Chess Official Rules of Chess and the 2026-2027 US Chess Scholastic National Tournament Regulations
Each Grade (Kindergarten through 12th Grade) has its own section
Players must play in their corresponding Grade section (Scholastic Regulations Section 4)
All sections will play 7 rounds of Swiss-paired G/90;d10
Players will be paired according to the December 2026 Rating Supplement
- All player ratings will be reviewed by the Tournament Review Group (Scholastic Regulations 4.6.3)
Chess Sets and score sheets are provided.
Players must bring clocks.
- Players are expected to know how to set, pause, and operate their chess clock
- Click here for a helpful video on how to set your clock
US Chess membership through December 2026 is required.
All on-site Bye requests, withdrawals, questions, and customer support can be handled at "Chess Control" (service, registration, and help desk)

Awards and Prizes

Click Here - for all information about Prizes for all sections in the Main Event
Awards will be presented on-stage once all games have been completed.
Check the Schedule for times and locations of the awards ceremony for your section.
Side Event awards will be presented prior to the start of rounds in the main playing hall. Check the Schedule for times and locations of the awards ceremony for your side event.
Questions about awards, early pick-up, etc.? See the Chess Control help-desk at the event.

Misc. Information

Check the Schedule for times and locations of all events.
Questions about times, locations, floor maps, etc.?
- Click here for the main event website for the US Chess Grade (K-12) National Championships 2026
- Or, see the Chess Control help-desk at the event.
General Questions, including pre-event withdrawals and refunds: contact nationalevents@uschess.org

Registration for other events:

Click here for information about the US Chess Grade (K-12) National Championships 2026. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Click here for information about the K-12 Grades 2026 - Bughouse Tournament. Registration is on-site only at Chess Control.

Click here for information about the K-12 Grades 2026 - Puzzle-Solving Championship. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Click here for information about the K-12 Grades 2026 - Blitz Tournament. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Click here for information about the Special Guest GM Simul Exhibition. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Click here for information for the K-12 Grades 2026 - Friends & Family Tournament. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Click here for information for the K-12 Grades 2026 - Additional Accompanying Persons badges. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for an additional accompanying persons badge.

Further inquiries should be directed to NationalEvents@USChess.org