Call for Nominations: 2026 Chess Journalist of America Awards

The Chess Journalists of America (CJA) calls for nominations for the annual Chess Journalists of America awards. The CJA Awards recognize the best in all facets of chess journalism, both in print and online. The best chess articles, columns, photojournalism, online writing, and social media are honored within their respective categories. Recognized annually by their peers, the public, and members of CJA, the prestigious awards showcase American works published in English between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026.

CJA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the study and knowledge of chess as a journalistic and scholarly endeavor. Membership is open to everyone at an annual membership fee of $10. Award winners will receive a printable online certificate and will be listed in CJA’s magazine, The Chess Journalist, and on the CJA website and social media platforms.

CJA’s annual awards are open to anyone. There is an entry fee of $15 for the first entry, which includes membership or renewal to CJA, and an $8 fee for each subsequent entry (unless otherwise noted). State organizations may submit three entries in the Cramer Awards for free. Additional award details can be found online at chessjournalism.org. Interested parties can also contact CJA Chief Judge Joshua Anderson at Click here to show email address. 

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Please use the QR code to go directly to our entry page. Award winners will be announced first at the annual CJA meeting during the U.S. Open, followed by a complete listing on the CJA website.

Submissions must be made by June 28, 2026.

2026 Awards
TOP THREE CATEGORIES
(Open to print or online)

Chess Journalist of the Year
Best Story of the Year
Best Column

Best Chess Book

Best Book – Instruction
Best Book – Other
Best Self-Published Book

Best Visual Arts

Best Photojournalism Article
Best Single Chess Photo
Best Art
Best Single Chess Magazine Cover
Best Cartoon

Best Print Articles
(Open only to publications)

Best Regular Newspaper Column
Best Single Article of Local Interest
Best Feature Article
Best Interview
Best Tournament Report – National/International
Best Tournament Report – State/Local
Best Club Newsletter
Best Instructive Lesson
Best Review
Best Analysis
Best Historical Article
Best Humorous Contribution
Best Personal Narrative

Best Online and Social Media News and Features

Best Interview
Best Feature Article
Best Podcast
Best Single Podcast Episode
Best Tournament Report – National/International
Best Tournament Report – State/Local
Best Club Newsletter
Best Instruction Lesson
Best Analysis
Best Humorous Contribution
Best Historical Article
Best Personal Narrative
Best Overall Chess Website
Best Small Organization Website (500 or less; States in Cramer Awards)
Best Online Blog
Best Paid Blog (Substack)
Best Educational Lesson
Best Online Review
Best Non-Instructional Chess Video
Best Twitter Feed
Best Weekly Video Program
Best Documentary
Best Tournament/Match Coverage (This may be a series of videos)

Junior
(Under 21 at time of writing)

Best Print Article by a Junior
Best Online Article by a Junior
Best Personal Narrative by a Junior
Best Photo by a Junior
Best Online Website by a Junior

Cramer Awards

Best State Championship Report
Best State Tournament Coverage
Best Scholastic Coverage in State (may be multiple articles)
Best Overall State Website
Best State Magazine/Newsletter – Print
Best State Magazine/Newsletter – Online
Best Personal Narrative
Best Photograph
Best State Magazine Photo
Best State Facebook Page
Best Multimedia Presentation