2024 National Middle School (K-8) Championship Preview

This weekend, May 10 through 12, the US Chess National Middle School (K-8) Championship takes place in Atlanta, Georgia! This national event features some of the best scholastic chess players in the United States and US Chess is proud to host this exciting event.

First thing’s first, registration is still open. If you have not registered, please visit the event page and register online. Online registration closes at 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday, May 9, and there is no on-site registration.

Now, here are a few selections from the schedule of events that you can look forward to at the 2024 National Middle School (K-8) Championship!

Special Guest Grandmaster

US Chess is proud to welcome guest grandmaster WGM Katerina Nemcova to the National Middle School Championship! Katerina is a three-time Women's Olympiad participant and Czechoslovakia's Women's Champion in 2008 and 2010.

See if you’ve got what it takes to beat WGM Nemcova at the “Take-on-all-Comers” Blitz sessions on Friday and Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Come see if there really is strength in numbers as WGM Nemcova hosts a special 30-board simul exhibition on Friday at 9 a.m.
Come and learn from the best at WGM Nemcova's Grandmaster Lectures with Q&A on Saturday 11:30 a.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m.

Girls Club Events

All female players with their families and coaches are invited to the US Chess Girls Club room to take part in special events throughout the weekend. Special guests Adia Onyango and Dr. Carolina Blanco, WIM, will be making appearances for games analyses, lectures, and more!

Blitz and Bughouse

Anything can happen during Blitz and Bughouse, which is why it's such an exciting part of our national events! Be sure to sign up for (or stop in to see) the thrilling, fast-moving action.

Blitz tournament will begin Thursday, May 9 at 5 p.m. Entry fee is $60, with online registration still open and on-site registration open from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Bughouse will be Thursday, May 9 at 11 a.m. Entry is $30 per two-player team, on-site between 9-10 a.m.

Friends and Family Tournament

Not competing in the K-8 but still love to play chess? Join other parents, grandparents, and friends for a special Friends and Family Tournament on Saturday. Four rounds of G/30 games in rated and unrated sections. Join the fun! Registration will be open until 10 a.m. day-of, and the entry fee is $30.

Watch Live on Twitch

US Chess will be broadcasting live commentary and analysis from our Twitch channel for rounds five through seven. First broadcasts begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday with special guest commentators WGM Sabina Foisor and FM Gauri Shankar, who will provide insights and connect all the critical moves for the top boards. Give us a follow, subscribe, and watch live at www.twitch.tv/USChess.