58th annual New York State Scholastic Championships, OPEN TO GRADES K-8 ONLY

An American Classic!

A Heritage Event!

US Chess Junior Grand Prix!

A State Championship Event!

MAR 7-8, 2026.  NEW YORK.

58th annual New York State Scholastic Championships (out of state players allowed but with prize restrictions)-- OPEN TO GRADES K-8 ONLY. See separate TLA, 2/28-3/1, for NY State High School Championship, for grades 9-12 (grades 6-8 also permitted on 2/28-3/1, but with some prize restrictions). 6-SS, G/60, d10, top NYS player and team in each Championship section are NY State Champions. In 12 separate sections:  1). Middle School (K-8) Championship (top NYS grade 6-8 born 9/1/11 or after qualifies for Barber National Tournament of State K-8 Champions), 2). K-8 Under 1700 Section, 3). K-8 Under 1300, 4). K-8 Under 900; 5). Elementary (K-5) Championship (top NYS player born 9/1/14 or after qualifies for Rockefeller National Tournament of State K-5 Champions), 6). K-5 Under 1400, 7). K-5 Under 1000, 8). K-5 Under 600; 9). Primary (K-3) Championship, 10). K-3 Under 800; 11). K-1 Championship, 12). K-1 Under 400 Section.  In four separate playing locations: Saratoga Hilton Hotel (K-3 Under 800, K-1 Championship, K-1 Under 400 sections), 534 Broadway, I-87 Exit 13-N, 4 miles north on US 9 (Hilton Chess parking rate: $6 daytime, $12 overnight); Saratoga Springs City Center (K-8 Under 900, K-5 Under 1400, K-5 Under 1000, K-5 Under 600, K-3 Championship), adjacent to Saratoga Hilton Hotel (connected by indoor walkway), 522 Broadway; Saratoga Music Hall (K-5 Championship Section), 2½ blocks south of Convention Center at 474 Broadway; Courtyard By Marriott Hotel (K-8 Championship, K-8 Under 1700, K-8 Under 1300), 11 Excelsior Ave., 2/5 mile north of Saratoga Hilton; Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Some K-5 Under 1400 Section games might also be played at Saratoga Music Hall.  Sections at Hilton/City Center may be limited to a total of 1200 players, sections at Marriott may be limited 340 players, section(s) at Music Hall may be limited to 220 players. Team prizes based on top 4 scores from same school, teams of 2 or 3 allowed, but are at a disadvantage. Players are subject to the specific rating and grade requirements for each section (Championship sections open to all players meeting grade requirements); the four Middle School (K-8) sections are open to players in grades 8 and below; the four Elementary (K-5) sections are open to players in grades 5 and below; the two Primary (K-3) sections are open to players in grades 3 and below; the two K-1 sections are open to players grades 1/below; unrated players meeting grade requirements allowed in any section. Online entry fee at chessaction.com, all sections (space permitting): $120 per player by 2/7/26, $160 by 2/23. REGISTRATION MAY CLOSE PRIOR TO THESE DATES DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS. Entries may be subject to wait list. If registration is still open, entry fee after 2/23 until advance registration closes is $200. On-site entries: $250 and may not be available this year.  USCF Membership Required. Special 1-year USCF dues if paid online with entry: see chessaction.com. Trophies, plaques or medals to top 10 players & top 5 teams each section, top 2 unrated in U900, U800, U600 & U400, top 2 each U1800, U1600, U1400 (K-8 Championship), U1500, (K-8 U1700), U1100 (K-8 U1300), U700, U500, U300 (K-8 U900), U1700, U1500 (K-5 Championship), U1200, U1000 (K-5 U1400), U800, U700 (K-5 U1000), U500, U400, U300 (K-5 U600), U1400, U1200, U1000 (K-3 Championship), U600, U500, U400, U300 (K-3 U800), U800, U600, U400 (K-1), U300, U200 (K-1 U400). Speed playoff if 6-0 tie. Free/reduced entry fee prizes to all CCA OTB tournaments (only for players residing in NY and/or attending NY schools): Championship sections: 8 months 1st, 6 months 2nd, 4 months 3rd & 4th. Other sections: 6 months 1st, 4 months 2nd, 3 months 3rd & 4th. 2 months bonus entries 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. Schedule: Rounds begin Sat 11, 2, 5; Sun 9, 12, 3. Awards: about 5:30 pm Sun. Recipients responsible for arranging delivery and/or replacement of awards not claimed at site. Half point byes OK all, limit 2, must commit before round 2. 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 5 pm 3/5. Questions: chesstour.com, [email protected]. Bring digital clock if possible- none supplied. March official ratings used (except unofficial USCF 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. Entry: www.chessaction.com. No mail entries. Blitz tournament: 8 pm Sat, enter at site Sat by 7:40 pm.