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The USA chess tournament guide
From a first scholastic event to a weekend at the board. Find a tournament that fits your level, your location, and your calendar.
34 upcoming events in our guide
Oct 9–11, 2026
Five-round class tournament near Chicago, with separate sections for developing players and two- or three-day schedules.
US Chess membership required. Seven rating sections; Premier requires 2000+ or eligible play-up.
Oct 10, 2026
A one-day, five-round scholastic event with grade and rating sections, including first-time tournament players.
Grades K–12 in the 2026–27 school year. Out-of-state students welcome; US Chess membership required.
Oct 12, 2026
Five rounds in one day with separate elementary and middle/high-school sections. Equipment is provided.
Scholastic players in grades K–12. Select the matching school and rating section; playing up is unavailable.
Oct 16–18, 2026
A five-round class championship near Hartford, with seven rating sections and a two-day option.
US Chess membership required. Rating-based sections; Master requires 2100+ or eligible play-up.
Oct 16–18, 2026
Five-round weekend Swiss with a lower-rated Booster section and a choice of two- or three-day schedules.
Rating sections include unrated players. Premier, Under 1800 and Under 1200; review play-up rules before entering.
Oct 23–25, 2026
Five-round weekend tournament with a dedicated Under 1000 section and two- or three-day playing options.
US Chess membership required. Seven rating sections; Premier requires 2000+ or eligible play-up.
Nov 6–8, 2026
Southern California weekend Swiss with seven sections, including Under 1000, and an optional two-day schedule.
US Chess membership required. Unrated players may enter all lower sections; Major requires 1900+ or eligible play-up.
Nov 7–8, 2026
A five-round Swiss with seven class sections, from Under 1000 through Master/Expert.
All ages and residencies welcome. US Chess membership required; Oregon residents also need OCF membership.
Nov 13–15, 2026
Five-round weekend Swiss near Cincinnati with two- and three-day schedules.
US Chess membership required. Major requires 1900+ or eligible play-up; rating sections extend to Under 1000.
Nov 20–22, 2026
Five-round classical tournament with FIDE-rated upper sections and a US Chess-only Under 1400 section.
Championship, Under 1800 and Under 1400 sections. Section eligibility uses US Chess monthly ratings; review registration rules.
Nov 22, 2026
A one-day, five-round grade championship with individual and school-team awards.
Kindergarten through Grade 12; play in the section matching your current grade. Current US Chess membership required.
Nov 25–29, 2026
Nine-round national master event offering title-norm opportunities. Players who do not qualify can choose the concurrent NC Open.
Restricted entry: established 2200+ US Chess/FIDE, qualifying NM/FM/WFM or higher titles, or juniors meeting the published dual-rating thresholds. See all eligibility rules.
Nov 27–29, 2026
Six-round Thanksgiving event with ten sections. Under 800 and Under 600 play a separate two-day schedule on Nov 28–29.
US Chess membership required. Premier requires 2000+ or eligible play-up; dedicated Under 800 and Under 600 sections.
Nov 27–29, 2026
Six-round Thanksgiving tournament with six rating sections, run alongside the US Masters.
All ages; US Chess membership required. Unrated players must enter Under 1100 (or the separate K–8 Scholastic Under 800 event).
Nov 27–29, 2026
Five-round Thanksgiving weekend tournament with a lower-fee Booster section and two-day playing option.
Premier, Under 1800 Reserve and Under 1200 Booster sections; review section and play-up rules.
Nov 27–29, 2026
Six-round class event with eight rating sections, two- or three-day schedules, and separate scholastic side events.
Rating sections from Under 1000 to 2200+. US Chess and an accepted state membership required; unrated entrants have section/prize restrictions.
Dec 11–13, 2026
Five-round classical tournament in the Dallas area, with a US Chess-only Under 1400 section.
Championship, Under 1800 and Under 1400 sections. Review section requirements and registration rules.
Dec 11–13, 2026
Seven-round national championship with an individual section for every school grade.
Kindergarten through Grade 12. Players compete in their own grade; US Chess membership through December 2026 required.
Dec 19–20, 2026
Weekend competition with classical upper sections and a shorter double-Swiss format for Under 1300 players.
Four rating sections; US Chess and WCF membership/Northwest Chess subscription required. No play-up into Elite.
Dec 25–27, 2026
A five-round holiday event with one-, two- and three-day schedule options and a concurrent national G/10 event.
Premier, Under 1901 and Under 1301 sections. Unrated players may not enter Premier.
Dec 26–29, 2026
Eight-round holiday tournament near Washington, DC. The Under 1000 section plays Dec 28–29 only.
US Chess membership required. Premier requires 2000+ or eligible play-up; lower rating sections include Under 1000.
Dec 26–30, 2026
Nine-round Open section with norm opportunities; seven-round lower sections finish Dec 29 and include Under 1000.
Eight rating sections. Open has a substantial surcharge below the published rating thresholds; US Chess membership rules and exceptions apply.
Dec 26, 2026
Four-round evening national speed-chess championship; equipment is provided.
Current US Chess membership required. Open and Under 1601 sections.
Jan 1–4, 2027
Six-round college team championship with three team-rating sections and international team participation.
Four-board college teams meeting US Chess college eligibility rules. Team captains must submit eligibility documentation.
Jan 2–3, 2027
Seventeen sections in Times Square, with two-day championships and one-day rating-capped sections.
K–12 students from anywhere. Choose an eligible grade and rating section; unrated players are allowed.
Jan 8–10, 2027
Five-round weekend Swiss with six sections and a two-day option on Jan 9–10.
Rating sections through Under 1200. Premier requires 2000+ or eligible play-up; see membership and rating rules.
Feb 19–21, 2027
Five-round national amateur team event. A separate one-day Under 1000 team section runs Feb 20.
Four-player teams with an optional alternate. Open team average under 2200, Reserve under 1600; additional roster rules apply.
Apr 2–4, 2027
Spring scholastic nationals announced in the Chicago suburbs.
High School (K–12) national event; detailed 2027 eligibility is pending publication.
Apr 9–11, 2027
Six-round girls’ national championship with six age sections.
Girls under 18 as of January 1, 2027, according to the organizer introduction. US Chess membership required; confirm the age section before entering.
Apr 30, 2027 – May 2, 2027
National elementary championship announced in Columbus.
Elementary K–6 championship; full 2027 eligibility and sections are pending publication.
May 14–16, 2027
National middle-school championship announced in Texas.
K–8 championship; full 2027 eligibility and sections are pending publication.
Jun 16–20, 2027
Summer open tournament announced at the Las Vegas chess festival.
National open event; detailed 2027 section and entry rules are pending publication.
Aug 2–8, 2027
The U.S. Open is scheduled in Dallas.
Open national championship; detailed 2027 entry rules are pending publication.
Dec 3–5, 2027
Year-end scholastic nationals announced in Orlando.
K–12 grade national event; detailed 2027 eligibility and sections are pending publication.
This is a curated directory, with additional events available through the official calendars below. Dates, fees, venues, and eligibility may change. Confirm current details with the organiser before entering or arranging travel.
Go further
Looking for a local club event or another country? These federation and organiser calendars broaden your search beyond our selected listings.
Search federation-listed events by state, distance, keyword and rating status.
Open official calendar (opens a new tab)National championshipsPublished dates and venues for open national and scholastic championships.
Open official calendar (opens a new tab)Major U.S. weekend tournamentsOrganizer schedule with event rules and alternate playing schedules.
Open official calendar (opens a new tab)Midwest and selected national eventsOrganizer announcements and registration for individual and team events.
Open official calendar (opens a new tab)North CarolinaClub, scholastic and major weekend tournament calendar.
Open official calendar (opens a new tab)Illinois and nearby statesState-affiliate listings for open, scholastic and community events.
Open official calendar (opens a new tab)Washington, Oregon and IdahoRegional calendar with organizer flyers and separate scholastic listings.
Open official calendar (opens a new tab)Dallas–Fort Worth and HoustonOrganizer schedules for weekly, scholastic and FIDE tournaments.
Open official calendar (opens a new tab)New York CityUpcoming club events with section and membership restrictions.
Open official calendar (opens a new tab)New JerseyState championship announcements, open events and scholastic tournaments.
Open official calendar (opens a new tab)Explore international events through federation calendars. Always check entry eligibility and travel requirements.
Before you enter
Check the organiser’s rating limits, age or grade rules, and requirements for unrated players. An open tournament may still have restricted sections.
Confirm membership requirements, entry deadlines, fees, round times, time controls, and equipment. Rules vary between organisers and events.
Tournament schedules follow the venue’s local time zone. Check that zone before booking travel, then save the event dates to your calendar.
Arrive with a plan
