58th annual New York State High School Championship

A Heritage Event!

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!

A State Championship Event!

FEB. 28 – MAR. 1, 2026   NEW YORK

58th annual New York State High School Championship, Out Of State Welcome, but with prize restrictions– intended mostly for Grades 9-12 (grades 6-8 also can also play but with some prize restrictions in Championship Section), Saratoga Hilton Hotel, 534 Broadway, I-87 Exit 13-N, 4 miles north on US 9, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (see separate TLA, March 7-8, for NY State Scholastic Championship, Grades K-8). 6-SS, G/60, d10. Chess parking rate: $6 daytime, $12 overnight. May be limited to 400 players. In 4 sections. High School Championship (open to all in grades 6-12, top NY State player and team are NY State High School Champions; top NYS grade 9-12 born 9/1/07 or after qualifies for Denker Tournament of HS Champions in Grand Rapids, MI), High School Under 1900/Unr, High School Under 1500/Unr., High School Under 1000/Unr. Team prizes based on top 4 scores from same school; teams of 2 or 3 allowed, but are at a disadvantage. Unrateds allowed any section. Online entry fee at chessaction.com, all sections (space permitting): $120 per player by 2/7/26, $140 by 2/23. Registration may closer prior to these dates due to space limitations and entries may be subject to wait list. If registration is still open, entry fee after 2/23 until registration closes is $200 (On-site entries may not be available this year). Special 1-year USCF dues with magazine if paid online with entry: see chessaction.com. Trophies, plaques or medals to top 10 players & top 5 teams each section, top 2 each U2000, U1800 (HS Championship), U1700, U1600 (in HS U1900), U1300, U1100 (in HS U1500), U800, U600, top 2 unrated (in HS U1000). $2,250 Bonus Prizes in top 2 sections for top-scoring players residing in NY or attending NY schools (out-of-staters attending NY schools must confirm eligibility with TD by Round 3). Championship: $1,000-500-250 (limited to NY players or players attending NY schools in grades 9-12); High School Under 1900/Unr.: $250-150-100, $100 limit to Unr.; Free/reduced entry fee prizes to all CCA OTB tournaments (only for players residing in NY or attending NY schools): Championship section (only NY players in grades 9-12 eligible for free/reduced EF prizes in Championship Section): 8 months 1st, 6 months 2nd, 4 months 3rd & 4th. Other sections: 6 months 1st, 4 months 2nd, 3 months 3rd & 4th  (all NY players grades 6-12 eligible in Under 1900 Section & below). 2 months bonus free entry to NY players with 6-0 scores. Some CCA events also have minimum rating requirements and/or additional surcharges, based on rating, to play in the top sections; the free/reduced entry fee prizes do not cover any such additional surcharges for playing in the top sections. $300 Mixed Doubles Bonus Prizes: $200-100, to Best male+female 2-player team among all 4 sections combined, team rating must average U2200, may play in different sections and can be from same or different schools in grades 6-12 in any state; register at site (no extra fee) by 5 pm Sat. Overall School Team Bonus Prizes: Awards (trophies, plaques or medals) to top 5 school teams among all 4 sections combined! First Place Overall Team (Boards 1-4) also wins 4 additional months of CCA Free/Reduced Entries, 2nd Place Overall Team (Boards 1-4) wins 2 months additional entries (all players grades 6-12 in any state eligible for Overall Team Bonus Prizes). Schedule: Rounds begin Sat 11, 2, 5; Sun 9, 12, 3. Awards: about 5:30 pm. Schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10 am, rounds Sat 11, 2, 5; Sun 9, 12, 3. Awards about 5:30 pm Sun. Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before round 3. Cash prizes split if tied, ties for non-cash prizes broken by tiebreaks (or by speed playoff if 6-0 tie).  HR: see chessevents.us for rates, minimum stay and other details (hotel reservations links at chessevents.us should be open by mid-November or sooner). Hotels may sell out very quickly but could have availability much later due to late cancellations. For backup hotels see chessevents.us. Special car rentals: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. $15 per player service charge for refunds. Section switches subject to $20 extra charge after 2/23 (all substitutions from advance list subject to space limitations and charged late fee), no section switching or substitutions after 6 pm 2/26. Questions: chesstour.com, [email protected]. Bring digital clock if possible- none supplied. March official ratings used (except unofficial USCF web ratings or USCF Online Regular ratings usually used if otherwise unrated). Players with USCF Online Regular ratings over 100 points over their OTB ratings may be assigned higher tournament rating and may be required to play in higher section (TD may use USCF Scholastic Regulations for eligibility guidance). TD reserves right to assign estimated rating to players with non-USCF ratings. Electronic devices rules: Electronic scorekeeping devices not allowed. See also www.devicerules.com; players may not possess cellphones during play but may store them in bag under table. Unclaimed cash prizes usually paid by PayPal (may take a couple of weeks), but recipients are responsible for arranging delivery and/or replacement of other awards not claimed at site. Enter online:  www.chessaction.com. No mailed entries. NY State High School Blitz Championship: 8:00 pm Sat., register at site Sat. by 7:40 pm.