Championship Chess Returns to New York City: A Celebration of Hard Work, Opportunity, and the Future of the Game

After years of absence, championship-level scholastic chess is finally returning to New York City, one of the true epicenters of American chess. This January 3-4, the New York Metro Scholastic Chess Championships will welcome over a thousand players from kindergarten through high school to an event built on passion, access, and the belief that chess can change lives.

While hosted in NYC, this is still an inclusive event. Any child residing anywhere is free to sign up and compete in Times Square with us as long as they have, or will join, US Chess. For registration and more information, click here.

A Return That Truly Matters

New York City is home to more scholastic chess players than anywhere else in the United States. Home of the Marshall Chess Club, Chess Forum, Washington Square Park, Bryant Park, and more, chess is taught and played in classrooms, community centers, parks, restaurants, bars, and homes. Thousands of players of all ages, including youths, sharpen their minds each day, guided by mentors, teachers, coaches, and parents who believe in the game’s power to build confidence, discipline, and opportunity.

But for too long, a barrier unrelated to passion and interest has kept many of these children from competing at the highest level: travel cost.

Traveling to distant, hotel-based events can be prohibitively expensive for families, especially those who are financially insecure. Travel, lodging, and tournament fees often make elite competition inaccessible, leaving some of NYC’s most committed young players excluded from ever participating in a true championship.

This event changes that.

The New York Metro Scholastic Chess Championships were created to restore access, expand inclusion, and give every child a championship stage worthy of their dedication.

A World-Class Venue for World-Class Kids

To honor these players, the tournament will be held at the New York Marriott Marquis, the largest hotel in New York City and one of the world’s most iconic venues. Its scale, location, and professionalism reflect the standard every child deserves.

And the response has been extraordinary: More than 1,100 students are already registered, with more joining each day.

Official Chess and Our Sponsors: A Shared Mission

This event would not be possible without partners who believe in chess as a force for education, empowerment, and community. Official Chess is proud to help sponsor the return of this landmark championship alongside:

Their support ensures that New York’s brightest young thinkers have the platform and resources they deserve.

Champions of the Chess Community

The revival of this tournament has been driven not just by institutions but by individuals whose commitment to young players transcends roles and titles.

We are deeply grateful for the personal involvement of United States Chess Federation Executive Board members John D. Rockefeller and Leila D’Aquin, whose belief in children, in chess, and in opportunity made this event possible from day one.

We are equally honored to welcome US Chess Executive Board member David Hater as Chief Tournament Director. His leadership and expertise set a new national standard for scholastic chess.

At the very heart of this story is FM Sunil Weeramantry, one of the most influential pioneers of scholastic chess in the United States. His immediate and unwavering support gave organizers the confidence to move forward. Though technically retired, Sunil has poured more time, energy, and heart into this event than perhaps anyone, repeatedly declining compensation and asking only how he could help the kids, the city, and the chess community he has nurtured for decades. New York’s scholastic families are profoundly fortunate to have him as a mentor, advocate, and guiding light.

Celebrating the Coaches Who Build This Community

New York City’s scholastic chess strength is the result of extraordinary coaches and programs that invest in children every single day. Their work shapes character, builds resilience, and opens doors far beyond the chessboard.

Leading the way is Elizabeth Spiegel, whose immediate encouragement and passionate support helped propel this event forward. Through her leadership of the IS 318 chess program, a model for how chess can transform lives, particularly in lower-income urban communities, she has shown the world what is possible.

We are also proud to recognize the exceptional organizations whose programs have nurtured generations of New York chess players:

These organizations are the backbone of New York’s chess culture, and their dedication makes this championship possible.

Join Us as We Make History

We hope you will join us on January 3 and 4 as we celebrate not just a game, but the young people who love it, children who, through the journey of becoming better chess players, have strengthened the mindsets and habits that help them become better students and better citizens.

More Than a Tournament, A Movement

The New York Metro Scholastic Chess Championships are more than an event. They are a restoration of something essential to the identity of this city, a commitment to equity, excellence, and the belief that every child deserves a world-class stage, regardless of background or zip code.

New York has always been a chess city. Now, its children once again have a championship worthy of their talent, their hard work, and their dreams.

On January 3–4, history returns home, and the next generation of champions will be ready.