2026 Kentucky Scholastic K-12 Grade Championships

Who will be Kentucky's state champion in your grade? The Kentucky K-12 Grade Championships crown an official state champion for every grade from kindergarten through 12th grade, with a separate section for each grade so every player competes against their own age group. It's a great first big tournament. Last year's event sold out, so register early!

• When: Saturday, December 5, 2026. Round 1 at 9:45 AM.
• Where: Indiana Wesleyan University, Louisville Education & Conference Center, 1500 Alliant Ave, Louisville, KY 40299
• Format: 5 rounds, G/25 d5. A separate section for each grade, K through 12; students must play in their own grade. Sections may be collapsed due to turnout, but awards will still be by grade.
• Entry fee: $20 for the first child in a family, and $5 for each additional child. The sibling discount will be handled automatically by Chess67. Students who attend our scholarship schools can enter the coupon code FREESCHOOL to waive the entry fee. Entry fee an obstacle for any other students? E-mail k12@kychess.org for a scholarship.
• Registration: online only, on Chess67, until 8:30 AM on tournament day. Registration is capped at 160 players and last year filled up, so don't wait! No on-site registration.
• US Chess membership is required. Join here.
• Kentucky Scholastic Circuit: This is a qualifying scholastic championship for the Kentucky Scholastic Circuit, which is used to select the All-Kentucky Team.
• Mismatched grade: if you grade does not match your age (e.g. if you skipped a grade), then you register for the grade you would normally be in for your age.

Schedule

• Doors Open: 8 AM
• Round 1: 9:45 AM
• Round 2: ASAP
• Lunch break (about 1 hour)
• Round 3: 1:00 PM
• Rounds 4 and 5: ASAP
• Awards: as each section finishes

Prizes

The winner(s) of each section is recognized by the Kentucky Chess Association as the official state champion for their grade. Every grade will have trophies for the top three players and medals for 4th through 8th place. Any Kentucky-resident girl in grade 4+ who wins her grade qualifies for the Kentucky Girls Championship this spring.

Good to know

• Players younger than high school age must be accompanied by an adult on site for the entire tournament.

• Boards, pieces, and clocks are provided.

• Players in grades 6 and up are expected to keep notation. If you cannot, you may compete, but you may be assessed a compensating time penalty.

• Non-residents are welcome to play but cannot win Kentucky state titles or trophies.

• Limited seating is available in the skittle room, so we suggest bringing camp chairs.

• There are no concessions on-site, but many restaurants are in the area. We provide a lunch break of at least one hour.

• Technical rules: The TD may elect to use accelerated pairings. Rule variations 15A (players may write the move before making it) and 10I2 (players may touch either the rook or king first when castling) will be used. Electronic scoresheets are not permitted.

• Refund policy: Withdrawals prior to the day of competition will be refunded in full, less 10% to cover payment processing fees. Withdrawals on the day of the tournament are refunded in the same way if sent by e-mail to k12@kychess.org prior to 8:30 AM on 5 December. No shows without notification are not refunded.

• Schools paying for their students, or families without access to online payment, can arrange other payment in advance; contact k12@kychess.org.

  Questions? Contact Ryan Gabbard, KY Chess Scholastic Director, at k12@kychess.org and include "KY Grades" in the subject line.