Interest Application Open for FIDE World Schools Team Chess Championships 2026 - Continental

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) invite all FIDE member federations belonging to the American zone according to FIDE division and eligible players to participate in the American Stage of the World Schools Team Championship 2026. The competition will be held in San Jose, Costa Rica from August 11 (arrival) to 16 (departure), 2026. The venue is the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari San Jose, located at San Antonio de Belen Ciudad Cariari, San Jose, Costa Rica.

TOURNAMENT DETAILS

Each event will be eight rounds, using a time control of Game/45 minutes with a 10-second increment. The full schedule for all rounds can be viewed: https://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/files/WSTC_2026_Invitation_Letter_American_Stage.pdf 

ACCOMMODATION

See Article 6: https://worldschoolteam2026.fide.com/files/WSTC_2026_Invitation_Letter_American_Stage.pdf 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS - from the event regulations

1.4. Teams of chess academies, chess clubs, chess departments of junior physical training clubs, specialized sports schools, Olympic reserve schools, or those that combine players from more than one general educational institution are not allowed to participate.

1.5. Players who were born on January 1st, 2012, and later but not later than on December 31st, 2018, are eligible for participation in WSTC 2026.

1.7. Each team must include at least one boy and at least one girl.

A current US Chess membership through the end of the tournament (August 2026) is required for all USA participants. A USA-flagged FIDE ID is required for all USA players. If you do not currently have a FIDE ID, please complete our FIDE ID Request Form at https://forms.gle/fCCTis7WgtJEb2rv6.

REGISTRATION - DEADLINE IS July 3!

US Chess is accepting interested teams' applications until Friday, July 3, 2026, 5:00 p.m. CDT. This deadline is imposed due to the organizers' registration deadline of July 16. Only one team will be selected to go. 

Application Form (Word Document): Application Form 

Each player must have an accompanying person (parent) that will travel to Costa Rica with the player; no minor may travel alone (e.g. a single chaperone responsible for all five players is not permitted)

Interested teams must email the application form + all players' school report cards (to establish attendance at the same school) to Brian Yang at Click here to show email address by Friday, July 3, 2026, 5:00 p.m. CDT.

Selection Criteria: 2026 National High School Team Champion, 2026 National Middle School Team Champion, or 2026 National Elementary Team Champion, or highest average June 2026 FIDE Regular rating between players #1-4. 

If your team is selected, a non-refundable US Chess Admin Fee of $400 must be paid before your team's application is submitted. In addition, any additional expenses (e.g. additional hotel room, travel expenses) are the responsibility of the person submitting the application form, who must work with the organizer and pay the amount agreed as specified by the organizers.

WAIVERS

While US Chess has to collect registrations on behalf of our federation and submit them to the organizer, we cannot accept responsibility for the health and well being of any players who choose to travel to this event. As such, by submitting an interest application, players agree to the waiver listed: https://new.uschess.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/assumption-of-the-risk-and-waiver-of-liability-relating-to-international-travel-and-sars.pdf 

If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Brian Yang, US Chess FIDE Events Manager at Click here to show email address.