2026 North American Junior Championships Announced

The 2026 North American Junior Chess Championships, Open Under 20 and Girls Under 20, will be held December 18-23, 2026 at the Hilton Charlotte University Place, 8629 JM Keynes Drive, Charlotte, NC 28262, USA. The event is open to players aged under 20 as of January 1, 2026, (must be born in 2006 or after) representing Canada, Mexico, or the United States.

This is a nine-round event with the first round on Friday, December 18. Medals as well as direct FIDE titles and norms are awarded to the top three players in each section. Gold medalists receive the (W)IM title and a (W)GM norm and the complete list of titles and norms to be awarded can be found in the section "Prizes" of the event regulations.

OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVES

In accordance with US Chess Scholastic Invitational Event Requirements, the US Chess Official Representative (OR) in each section will be the player with the highest rating per the February 2026 US Chess rating supplement (regular rating) who registers with the tournament and notifies US Chess FIDE Events Manager, Brian Yang, Click here to show email address by Friday, November 6, 2026, 5:00PM CST. The US Chess ORs will have the right for free entry to the tournament and "Upon completion of the event, they will also be reimbursed a fee of $200 USD to help with travel expenses."

7/27 Update - Personal Right players, the player that got Gold medal, receive the same benefits as ORs. Please follow the instructions above. 

REGISTRATION

Registration for the 2026 North American Junior Chess Championships is done directly with the organizers and should be completed by December 1, 2026 to pay the lowest entry fee. Players are responsible for their own entry fees, lodging, food, transportation, and travel. 

Complete information and registration can be found at the organizer’s website. 

The 2026 North American Junior Championships is being organized by the Charlotte Chess Center who can be Click here to show email address.