Welcome to Chicago’s premier chess tournament for students in grades K-12

Open to all players from the Midwest and beyond in grades 12 & below

*** INDIVIDUAL & TEAM TROPHIES ***

The Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation, Kasparov Chess Foundation, Chicago Public Schools Academic Chess program, and SBB Research Group are excited to welcome players from across the Midwest to the 15th Annual Greater Chicago K-12 Championships—the largest and most prestigious USCF-rated scholastic tournament in Chicago.

This event is open to all students up to grade 12, with competition divided into the following sections: Primary (K–4), Elementary (K–6), Junior High (K–8), and High School (K–12).

Thanks to the generous support of SBB Research Group and Chicago Public Schools Academic Chess, we are pleased to offer no-cost entry for eligible students participating in the CPS Academic Chess program. Please visit the CPS Chess website for complete details and restrictions.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to compete in a premier chess tournament!

As the City of Chicago’s official chess championship, the top individual & team from Chicago, in each of the championship sections, will be recognized as the City Champions.

Tournament

WHEN

February 21, 2026

WHERE

McCormick Place South Building – 2400 Moe Dr, Chicago, IL 60616 – PLEASE NOTE we will be on the 4 & 5th floor of the South building in 2026. The South building access is off of Moe Dr.

FORMAT

Championship sections: 4-Round, Swiss System, Game/40, d5
Reserve & Novice sections: 5-Round, Swiss System, Game/25, d5

SCHEDULE

Championship sections: Rounds: 10:00, 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30
Reserve & Novice sections: Rounds: 10:00, 12:00, 2:00, 3:30 & 5:00
Awards: 6:30

SECTIONS / AWARDS

Primary (K-4 Grades)

  • Championship: open to all – Trophies top 5 players, top 2 schools
  • Reserve: open to players rated Under 600 – Trophies top 8 players, top 3 schools
  • Novice: open to players rated Under 300 – Trophies top 8 players, top 3 schools

Elementary (K-6 Grades)

  • Championship: open to all – Trophies top 5 players, top 2 schools
  • Reserve: open to players rated Under 800 – Trophies top 8 players, top 3 schools
  • Novice: open to players rated Under 400 – Trophies top 8 players, top 3 schools

Junior High (K-8 Grades)

  • Championship: open to all – Trophies top 5 players, top 2 schools
  • Reserve: open to players rated Under 1000 – Trophies top 8 players, top 3 schools
  • Novice: open to players rated Under 500 – Trophies top 8 players, top 3 schools

High School (K-12 Grades)

  • Championship: open to all – Trophies top 5 players, top 2 schools
  • Reserve: open to players rated Under 1100 – Trophies top 5 players, top 2 schools

Top 4 players added for team scores, team members must attend the same school, club teams are not allowed

Any player who scores 4 or more points and doesn’t win a trophy will receive a medal!

RATINGS USED

For pairing purposes we will be using the January rating supplement.

ACCELERATED PAIRINGS

Accelerated Pairings may be used in a section with over 100 players.

BYES

A single half-point Bye is available any round, to include the final round. If the Bye is requested for Round 1, it must be requested as part of the advance entry or online by 4 pm on the day before the tournament starts. If the Bye is requested for a later round, it must be requested before the published start time for Round 1. 0-point byes shall be available for all rounds. The Chief TD shall have the ability to grant a 1/2-point bye for any round on unusual circumstances, except the last round.

REQUEST BYE

Registration

It is the player’s responsibility to verify that their registration has been successfully completed and their name appears on the ADVANCE ENTRY LIST.

Our registration system automatically sends a confirmation email to the address entered on the registration form. Once your registration is complete, the player’s name will be added to the Advance Entry List.

Please make sure you receive the confirmation email and review the list to verify your entry.

ADVANCE ENTRIES

You can view the list of advance entries using the button below.

VIEW ADVANCE ENTRIES

US CHESS MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR ALL PLAYERS

Purchase / renew your US Chess Membership at https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess

TOURNAMENT ENTRY FEE

  • $ 50 online thru 1/19
  • $ 65 online thru 2/9
  • $ 85 online thru 2/19
  • No entries allowed after 2/19 or onsite
REGISTER NOW

WITHDRAWALS & REFUNDS

Online only . $20 refund fee per player if requested by 2/19. Refunds for withdrawals are processed within 10 business days.

WITHDRAWAL

SECTION CHANGE

Online only by 2/19, $20 fee after 2/11. No onsite section change allowed.

SECTION CHANGE REQUEST

Playing Site

WHERE

McCormick Place, 2400 Moe Dr, Chicago, IL 60616. IMPORTANT: Our new location is inside the South Building on the 4th & 5th floor which is accessed off of Moe Dr.

PARKING

Parking Lot B is the preferred parking area for the South Building. To access the lot, take Lake Shore Drive southbound to the 31st Street exit. From the exit ramp, follow the curved ramp onto northbound Moe Drive. Moe Drive can also be accessed directly from 31st Street.

See McCormick place website for price and details.

BUS DROP OFF/PICK-UP

TBA

CAR DROP OFF/PICK-UP

TBA

FOOD

Concession food sales will be available onsite

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