2026 National Middle School (K-8) Championship Preview!

This weekend, May 15 through 17, the US Chess National Middle School (K-8) Championship take place in Round Rock, TX! 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 things first, registration is still open until 10:00 a.m. CDT on Friday, May 15. If you have not registered, please visit the event page and register online.

Now, here are a few selections from the schedule of events that you can look forward to at the 2026 National Middle School (K-8) Championship!

Special Guest Grandmaster Julio Sadorra

US Chess is proud to welcome guest GM Julio Sadorra to the National Middle School (K-8) Championship!

Spots are still available for GM Sadorra's 30-board simultaneous exhibition on Friday at 9 a.m. Register here!
See if you've got what it takes to beat GM Sadorra at the "Take-on-all-Comers" Blitz sessions on Friday at 2:30 p.m., Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Each session is first-come, first-serve and will last for two hours.
Come and learn from the best with two Grandmaster Lectures with Q&A. GM Sadorra's lectures will be Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. Saturday's lecture — "The Science of Defense" — will be enlightening for players of all levels, and Sunday's "Facing Chess Giants" will be sure to provide a historical perspective.

Special Guest WGM Jennifer Shahade

US Chess Ambassador WGM Jennifer Shahade will also be on site all weekend promoting her new book Thinking Sideways.

Catch Shahade's simul exhibition Friday at 4:30 p.m., join her for puzzles and a Q&A session Saturday at 10:30 a.m., and then stop by beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday for her book signing.

Girls Club Events and Special Guests

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 WIM Luciana Morales and IM/WGM Tatev Abrahamyan will be round all weekend for lectures, exhibitions, and human chess.

Blitz and Bughouse Tournaments

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 be Thursday, May 14 at 5 p.m. Entry fee is $85 online until 2 p.m. and on-site until 4 p.m.
Bughouse will be Thursday, May 14 at 11 a.m. Entry is $50 per two-player team, register on-site between 9 and 10 a.m.

Friends and Family Chess Tournament

Not competing in the NMS 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 $40.

Watch Live on Twitch and Follow Along on CLO

US Chess will be broadcasting live commentary and analysis from our Twitch channel for all seven rounds. First broadcasts begin at 1 p.m. CDT on Friday with special guest commentator WGM Sabina Foisor, 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.

And of course, there will be amazing chess in the playing hall among the 1,277 (and counting!) competitors. We look forward to seeing you in Round Rock (or on our Twitch stream) and will be keeping you updated about the 2026 National Middle School (K-8) Championship on Twitter with the hashtag #NMSChessChamps and here, at Chess Life Online with daily recaps.

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