♔ 6th Annual · 2026
California Youth Chess Championship
California's year-end championship for K–12 chess players. Students from schools and clubs across the state compete for section titles, team trophies, and a place in our Hall of Champions.
The champion's prize
Win your way to SuperStates.
Every section champion at the California Youth Chess Championship earns a free entry to SuperStates 2027 — the SoCal SuperStates Chess Championship, Southern California's premier chess festival and a state qualifier for the National Invitational Championships.
One December title becomes a spring shot at a state championship.
Free entry
SuperStates 2027
- 800+ players at SuperStates 2026
- 100+ club and school teams
- State titles in K–12, Girls, K–8, K–5 and K–3
9 young champions have earned free SuperStates entries at this championship in the last two years.
Team awards
Play for your school.
Just like at SuperStates, every section awards a team trophy. A team’s score is the total of its top three players, so schools, clubs and chess programs compete for a title alongside their individual players.
To play as a team, players simply list the same school or club when they register — two players are enough to enter.
See who’s coming. The Entry List shows every registered player and their school or club, so you can check which schools already have players in each section.
Recent team champions
2025
- Beyond ChessK–12 Open · K–5 · K–3
- Chess PalaceK–8
- John Muir Middle SchoolRising Stars
2024
- Beyond ChessK–12 Open · K–8
- Laurence SchoolK–5 · K–3
About the championship
Where California's young players finish the year.
Every December, ICEA Chess brings scholastic players together for one day of serious, friendly competition. First held online in 2021, during the pandemic, as the ICEA Chess Scholastic Annual Championship, the event has grown with each edition, and in 2026 it takes on its new name: the California Youth Chess Championship.
Sections are grouped by grade and rating, so a kindergartener playing their first rated game and a high-school expert both meet opponents at their level. Every section crowns a champion, and every champion joins the history on this site.
Compete
Championship sections from K–3 through K–12 Open, played over five rounds with US Chess–rated games.
Grow
A Rising Stars section gives newer players a full tournament day of their own, with trophies and medals to match.
Celebrate
Trophies, medals, team awards, and winner certificates — and a free SuperStates 2027 entry for every section champion.
2026 Championship
Saturday, December 5.
Registration and payment are handled on RatedChess. The entry list and live results on the day are on Progressly.
- DateSaturday, December 5, 2026
- Time9:00 AM – 4:00 PM PSTArrive early to check in before round 1.
- VenueCulver City Teen Center4153 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA 90230
- WhoStudents in grades K–12
- OrganizerICEA ChessInternational Children Education Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Sections, entry fees, and deadlines are listed on the registration page. See who’s registered on the Entry List.
How it works
Five sections. Five rounds.
This is the format the championship used in 2025. Final 2026 sections and round times are confirmed on the registration page.
K–12 Open
No rating cap
The top section. Any grade, any rating.
K–8
Under 1200
Middle-school and younger players rated below 1200.
K–5
Under 800
Elementary players rated below 800.
K–3
Under 400
Our youngest competitors, rated below 400.
Rising Stars
Not rated
For newer players getting their first tournament experience.
Tiebreaks: Modified Median, then Solkoff. Unrated players may enter any section that matches their grade.
Reigning champions
The 2025 title holders.
121 players from 34 clubs and schools competed on December 13, 2025. These five took home the section titles.
K–12 Open
Roy Huang
4.5 / 5 · 28 players
K–8
Adam Bezrati
4.5 / 5 · 38 players
K–5
Abhir Joginapally
4.5 / 5 · 30 players
K–3
Devin Padia
4 / 5 · 12 players
Rising Stars
Jason Huang
5 / 5 · 12 players
Questions
Before you play.
Can't find your answer? Reach the ICEA Chess team through iceachess.org.
What do champions win?
Every section champion wins a free entry to SuperStates 2027, the SoCal SuperStates Chess Championship. Top finishers in each section also receive trophies or medals, champions receive a winner certificate, and the best school or club in each section takes home a team trophy.
Who can enter?
Any student in grades K–12. Pick the section that matches your grade and rating; unrated players can enter any section for their grade, and Rising Stars is designed for players new to tournaments.
Do I need a US Chess membership?
Yes, for every rated section: K–12 Open, K–8, K–5 and K–3 all require an active US Chess (USCF) membership. The only exception is Rising Stars, our non-rated section, which doesn’t require a USCF ID.
How do I register?
Registration is on RatedChess. Parents can register one or more children from the same account. Only players on the entry list can be paired, so please register before the deadline.
What should we bring?
Boards and pieces are provided. Please bring your own chess clock, plus water and a snack — it’s a full day of chess.
Where can I follow results?
Pairings and standings are posted live on the Progressly event page during the tournament. After the event, section champions are added to our Hall of Champions.
Can my school or club compete as a team?
Yes. Like SuperStates, team trophies are awarded in every section, counting the top three scores from players who list the same school or club. A team needs at least two players. The Entry List shows which schools and clubs already have players registered.
Claim your seat at the 2026 championship.
Saturday, December 5 · Culver City Teen Center · Section champions win a free entry to SuperStates 2027