2026 North American Junior Championships

https://www.charlottechesscenter.org/events/najr

OVERVIEW

The 2026 North American Junior (U20) Championships will be held December 18-23. The NA Junior is the official Continental Junior Championship of North America and endorsed by the Confederation for Chess in the Americas. This event offers IM/FM titles and GM/IM norms for medalists, as well as a Blitz Championship side event.

The NA Junior is held just before the Winter Classic (same venue) and the Winter Elite Camp (different venue).

WHEN

December 18-23, 2026 ​

WHERE

Hilton Charlotte University Place

8629 JM Keynes Drive

Charlotte, NC 28262

Free Internet, Free Parking

​

$139/Night

Booking Link - Book ASAP

Click "edit stay" at the top of the booking page to select your exact dates

Please email us if the booking link is not showing the correct rate.

REGISTRATION

• Online registration required.
• Online registration closes December 17. Same-day registrations may incur a 0-point bye in round 1 at the Chief Arbiter's discretion.
• This event is US Chess and FIDE-rated. US Chess membership required for all players.
• On-site check-in is not necessary for pre-registered players.
• Official Players - each federation (CAN, MEX, USA) may designate one player as their official representative per section. The gold medalists from the 2025 North American Junior Championships may also register as official players in the same sections. ORs receive free entry (full refund is already paid) if fully registered by November 15. Upon completion of the event, they will also be reimbursed a fee of $200 USD to help with travel expenses. ORs registering after November 15 will be considered regular players and are not eligible for OR conditions.

ELIGIBILITY

• Open to players from Canada, Mexico, and USA who are under 20 years old (19 and younger) as of 1/1/2026. All players must be born on or after 1/1/2006.
  • Players' FIDE federation must show CAN, MEX, or USA.
• This event is US Chess and FIDE-rated. US Chess membership required for all players.
• There is no rating or title minimum or maximum.
• Girls may enter either section - Open U20 or Girls U20.
• Erroneous registrations will be subject to the refund policy.

SECTIONS

Open U20 (open to boys and girls)

Girls U20

FORMAT

9 round Swiss

Time Control: G/90; inc/30

PRIZES

Medals - Gold, Silver, Bronze medals to top 3 per section (on tiebreaks).

Direct Titles (Table updated Sept. 23, 2026 to reflect new FIDE regulations)

All titles and norms subject to FIDE regulations and approval.

TIEBREAKS

1. Direct Encounter (applies if all tied players have played each other)
2. Greater # wins
3. Greater # games with Black
4. Buchholz cut 1
5. Buchholz
6. Sonneborn-Berger

SCHEDULE

Registration closes December 17

​SIDE EVENT

NA Junior Blitz

• Monday, December 21, 11:00am

ENTRY FEES

• $165 by December 1
• $175 after December 1

CONTACT

Click here to show mail address

https://www.charlottechesscenter.org/events/najr