Don't Miss Early Bird DISCOUNTED Pricing!
Mark Your Calendars — Saturday, January 3rd & Sunday, January 4th, 2026 • Manhattan, New York City
Championship Chess is back in New York City — at the Crossroads of the World in Times Square!
Players in 12th grade or below from any state or country are welcome (US Chess Federation membership required).
The Stage Is Set. Make Your Move.
On January 3-4, 2026, the brightest young chess minds will gather on the Great White Way — where the stars shine not only on Broadway’s biggest stages but also at the largest NYC scholastic chess event in years, hosted at the iconic New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square.
Register now before Early Bird Pricing expires! See the US Chess TLA announcement below:
https://new.uschess.org/official-chess-1st-annual-new-york-metro-area-scholastic-chess-championships
Direct website link to the get latest details, see advance entries, purchase your tickets and add the event to your calendar app:
https://officialchess.org/event/2026metros/
Reserve a Team Room for your school or chess academy. Official Chess will assist with costs to keep pricing in line with other championship events - Schools and teams will not be charged typical Manhattan conference room rates!
Take advantage of our special $299 per night hotel guest room rate (no resort fee) at the New York Marriott Marquis. Use code “Official Chess” when booking by phone or through the link below.
Join our mailing list to get all our updates, have your questions answered, and reserve your team room today!
All-Star Cast
Special Tournament Advisor – Sunil Weeramantry
Founder, National Scholastic Chess Foundation · NY State Chess Association Hall of Fame · Former Chair, US Chess Federation (USCF) Scholastic & Education Committees
Chief Tournament Director – David Hater
Executive Board Member, USCF · Senior Executive, Continental Chess Association (CCA) · USCF National TD · FIDE International Arbiter · Retired Army Colonel
National Tournament Director – Hector Rodriguez
President, The Right Move Chess Federation · USCF National TD
National Tournament Director – Jabari McGreen
USCF National TD · FIDE National Arbiter
…and more to come!
VIP Organizations
A big thank you to the local educators and organizations shaping young chess players across the metro area. Their daily efforts are critical to scholastic chess generally and to this event. Check out their websites at the bottom of this post to see all the wonderful programs they offer and what they are all about!
Chess in the Schools · National Scholastic Chess Foundation · The Right Move Chess Federation · Marshall Chess Foundation · Brooklyn Chess · ChessNYC · Kids Infinity Chess · Tri-State Chess · Long Island ChessMates · New York Chess Academy
Tournament Highlights
Thousands of students from New York and beyond will converge in Times Square to battle across 14 sections, competing for hundreds of awards and the NYC Scholastic Championship Titles.
2-Day “Championship” Sections
1-Day “Under” Sections
Players may play in TWO “Under” sections (one on Saturday and one on Sunday).
From U400 to Open, every player — from beginners to Masters — has a chance to shine.
Who will capture the scholastic titles?
Will powerhouse schools dominate again, or will new champions emerge?
Don’t miss history in the making: the launch of NYC’s newest annual chess tradition.
Start the New Year right — at the New York Marriott Marquis, NYC’s largest hotel, hosting the first major scholastic chess tournament in the city since before the pandemic.
Be there to battle on 64 squares in the most famous Square in the world!
Sections & Format
(December 2025 USCF ratings will be used. Unrated players welcome.)
Two-Day Championships (6 Rounds)
High School Championship — 12th grade & under, G/75 d5
Junior High Championship — 8th grade & under, G/75 d5
Elementary Championship — 5th grade & under, G/75 d5
Primary Championship — 3rd grade & under, G/60 d5
K–1 Championship — 1st grade & under, G/60 d5
Saturday-Only (5 Rounds)
High School U1900 / U1200 — 12th grade & under, G/35 d5
Elementary U1500 / U1100 / U700 — 5th grade & under, G/35 d5
Sunday-Only (5 Rounds)
Junior High U1300 — 8th grade & under, G/35 d5
Primary U1000 / U600 — 3rd grade & under, G/35 d5
K–1 U400 — 1st grade & under, G/35 d5
Entry Fees
Early Bird Pricing (until 10/31/25)
Basic: $100 (1-day) / $120 (2-day)
Entry PLUS (includes Coaches Corner): $140 (1-day) / $180 (2-day)
Entry PLUS includes access to on-site master-level coaches for real-time reviews, tips, and personalized advice between rounds.
Register Today
Register now before Early Bird Pricing expires! See the US Chess TLA announcement below:
https://new.uschess.org/official-chess-1st-annual-new-york-metro-area-scholastic-chess-championships
Direct website link to the get latest details, see advance entries, purchase your tickets and add the event to your calendar app:
https://officialchess.org/event/2026metros/
Reserve a Team Room for your school or chess academy. Official Chess will assist with costs to keep pricing in line with other championship events - Schools and teams will not be charged typical Manhattan conference room rates!
Take advantage of our special $299 per night hotel guest room rate (no resort fee) at the New York Marriott Marquis. Use code “Official Chess” when booking by phone or through the link below.
Join our mailing list to get all our updates, have your questions answered, and reserve your team room today!