2026 Alaska State Scholastic Chess Championship

The Alaska Chess Federation is thrilled to host the first State Scholastic Chess Championship since 2006!

This one-day event will be held on March 28, 2026 at South Anchorage High School in Anchorage, Alaska.

Register here: https://chessnut.club/e/alaska-scholastic-championship

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026

Location: South Anchorage High School (13400 Elmore Rd, Anchorage, AK 99516)

Time: 8am - 5pm

Time Control: G/30; d5 (30 minutes per player with a 5 second delay)

Sections: High School (Grade 9-12); Middle School (Grade 6-8); Elementary School (K-5). The Champion from each event will be Alaska's nominee for the US Chess Championship of Champions Invitationals in Grand Rapids, MI in August 2026.

• High School: GM Arnold Denker National Tournament of High School State Champions (https://new.uschess.org/denker)

• Middle School: Dewain Barber National Tournament of Middle School State Champions (https://new.uschess.org/barber)

• Elementary School: John D. Rockefeller III National Tournament of Elementary School State Champions (https://new.uschess.org/rockefeller)

• Top Girl: WIM Ruth Haring National Tournament of Girls State Champions (https://new.uschess.org/haring)

Entry fee: $40 through March 27th; $50 at the door. *South Anchorage HS Student entry fee: $20. We will begin collecting entry fees beginning in January.

Schedule: *subject to change prior to event*

• 8:00-8:30: Check in

• 8:30-9:00: Opening Announcements

• 9:00-10:15: Round 1

• 10:30-11:45: Round 2

• 12:00-1:00: Lunch (concessions available to purchase to support South Anchorage HS soccer team)

• 1:05-2:20: Round 3

• 2:35-3:50: Round 4

• 4:10-5:00: Closing Ceremony & Awards

Prize pool: based on 100 participants - ("b/100")

• • Elementary School Section - 1st Place $100 + trophy / 2nd Place $60 + trophy / 3rd Place $40 + trophy

  • Middle School Section - 1st Place $150 + trophy / 2nd Place $90 + trophy / 3rd Place $60 + trophy

  • High School Section - 1st Place $200 + trophy / 2nd Place $120 + trophy / 3rd Place $80 + trophy

  • Class Prize - Top Female Finisher - $200 + trophy

Note: The ACF is donating a portion of the proceeds from this event to the South Anchorage High School Chess Club to purchase chess sets/clocks.

Hotel discount: Discounted hotel accommodations are available at The Lakefront Anchorage Hotel for 3/27 and 3/28. Prices are $145/night + tax. Call The Lakefront at 907-243-2300 and use code 2603AKCHES to book. A direct link to book on the hotel website will be available soon.

Note: USCF membership is REQUIRED for this tournament. To become a USCF member, visit https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess. Support the ACF by using our affiliate code: A9162190 when registering with the USCF.

1-year US Chess memberships are $24 for students who will be under 19 at expiration. These memberships include online access to Chess Life or Chess Life for Kids. An additional payment may be made to secure a printed copy of the relevant periodical ($6 for Chess Life for Kids and $12 for Chess Life).

Note: ACF membership is REQUIRED for this tournament. To become an ACF member, visit https://alaskachessfederation.org.