2026 New Mexico State Chess Championship

(NM Residents ONLY in Championship Section)

November 14th - 15th, 2026

Location: Santa Fe Scottish Rite Center

463 Paseo De Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Sections:

• Championship (U1600 must pay play-up fee): USCF Rated, 5 Round Swiss, g/60+30
  • Entry Fee: $40 by October 14th, $50 by November 13th, $60 on November 14th
  • *Players rated under 1600 must pay $50 extra as play-up fee to register for this section
• Under 1800: USCF Rated, 5 Round Swiss, g/60+30
  • Entry Fee: $30 by October 14th, $40 by November 13th, $50 on November 14th
• Under 1200: USCF Rated, 5 Round Swiss, g/40+5
  • Entry Fee: $20 by October 14th, $30 by November 13th, $40 on November 14th
• Under 600: USCF Rated, 5 Round Swiss, g/30+5
  • Entry Fee: $20 by November 13th, $30 on November 14th

 

Prizes: (Based on 12 players per section)

• Championship: 1st - $350 & New Mexico State Champion Title, 2nd - $160, U1900 - $80
• Under 1800: 1st - $250, 2nd - $120, U1500 - $70
• Under 1200: 1st - $150, 2nd - $80, U900 - $60
• Under 600: $120, 2nd - $60

 

Schedule:

Championship and Under 1800 Sections -

November 14th -

• Round 1: 10am
• Round 2: 1:30pm
• Round 3: 5pm
• Annual Meeting: 8pm

November 15th -

• Round 4: 10am
• Round 5: 1:30pm

Under 1200 Section -

November 14th -

• Round 1: 10am
• Round 2: 12pm
• Round 3: 2pm
• Round 4: 4pm
• Round 5: 6pm
• Annual Meeting: 8pm

Under 600 Section -

November 14th -

• Round 1: 10am
• Round 2: 11:30pm
• Round 3: 1pm
• Round 4: 2:30pm
• Round 5: 4pm
• Annual Meeting: 8pm

 

Special Notes:

Playoff Procedures: There shall be a playoff for any tie involving first place. The playoff winner shall receive the State Champion Title. All players involved in the tie shall split the prize money equally. The playoff will be a g/15d3 match with two games. Both players will play each color once. In the event of a playoff tie, they will play a match of two g/3+2 games until a winner is decided. In the event of more than two players tied for first, the playoff will be a g/15d3 round robin with random seeding for colors. In the event of two tied players after the round robin, then a blitz match will take place.

200-Point Rule: Must be within 200 points of next section to play up. Players may use the following to qualify. NO EXCEPTIONS:

- current published rating

- recent supplement rating

- live rating

 

Byes: Up to 2 optional half-point byes may be requested BEFORE round 1. All byes requested during the event are zero points.

 

Unrated players: Unrated players may play in u600 or u1200 sections and are eligible for half the prize amounts awarded. Unrated players are not eligible for class prizes (under prizes).

 

Spectators: No spectators are allowed in playing areas when the games have begun for the day. A designated spectator area will be available.

 

Electronic Devices: Please read NMCO's Electronic Device Policy at nmchess.org/rules