OSCA 2026 Rhode Island’s Scholastic “Closed Invitational” Grades K-12 State Championship (Providence, RI)

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026

Registration is Now Open

One Day Closed Event – By Invitation Only (Only for Rhode Island’s Top Gr. K-12 Scholastic Players)
Tournament Winners will represent Rhode Island at the U.S. National Tournament of State Champions (More Info Below)

Location: The Wheeler School, 216 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906

Format & Time: 4SS, G/40;d5 – Round 1 will Start Promptly at 9:00 AM
4 Rounds, each player will have 40 minutes with a 5 second delay.
There will be a 40-45 minute lunch break after Round 2 and before Round 3. Event should finish around 4:00 – 4:30 pm
Lunch is not provided. students can bring a lunch if needed. Chess Sets and Chess Clocks will be provided.

We are inviting the top winners from RI Scholastic K-12 State Championship, who will have a playoff to see who will represent Rhode Island at the U.S. National Denker, Barber, Rockefeller, & Ashley National Tournament of State Champions 
in Grand Rapids, MI on August 3-6, 2026. Rhode Island players will compete against the Top player from ALL 50 STATES
to become the U.S. Champion. Winners will go on to World Chess Championship Competitions too! See U.S. Chess links below:

* Qualifying Players include top two USCF rated Rhode Island Elementary, Middle, & High School Students
Plus the top qualifying students from the 2026 RI Scholastic State Championship held on April 4, 2026:
https://oceanstatechess.com/event/2026-scholastic-state-k-12-championship/

The List of the Top Students will be announced after the results from the April 4th R.I. Grade K-12 State Championship

High School Championship (Grade 9-12): Top R.I. High School Students from the State Championship Qualify
Middle School Championship (Grade 6-8): Top R.I. Middle School Students Qualify from the State Championship Qualify
Elementary School Championship (Grade K-5): Top R.I. Elementary School Students Qualify from the State Championship Qualify
* Top students with the same scores will be chosen, if there are too many in the last tier, then they will be chosen by rating.

Entry Fee: $35. Please Register by Saturday, April 7th or email OSCA you will not participate so we can invite another candidate
Each player will receive a special commemorative plaque for participating in this prestigious R.I. Championship Event.
There is a small entry fee to cover cost of Special Plaques, USCF Rating Fees, Tournament Directors, Insurance, website cost, etc.
Scholarships are available if you cannot pay entry. Please email the hardship reason to: frank@oceanstatechess.com
Note: This is a Closed Invitational Championship by Invitational Only.
Please register by Saturday, April 12th. If you cannot attend, please let us know so we can invite a replacement player
Registration will close on April 15 @ 11:59 PM.
Your USCF Membership must be current and active. This is an Official USCF Rated Event. USCF renewal option below.
* If you cannot attend this event, or have questions, Text (preferred) Frank DelBonis, cell (401) 212-1335
or email: frank@oceanstatechess.com

Information about the U.S. National Denker, Barber, and Rockefeller National Tournament of State Champions:

Denker High School National Tournament of State Champions (Grade 9-12)
https://new.uschess.org/denker

Barber Middle School National Tournament of State Champions (Grade 6-8)
https://new.uschess.org/barber

Rockefeller Elementary School National Tournament of State Champions (Grade K-5)
https://new.uschess.org/rockefeller

Ashley: 1st Annual (2026) GM Maurice Ashely National Tournament Elementary State Champions (Grade K-3)
https://new.uschess.org/ashley

Haring – WIM Ruth Haring National Tournament of Girls State Champions (Grade K-12) will also participate
The Rhode Island All-Girls State Championship Event was already held on January 10, 2026 and Nina Yang was the winner.
https://new.uschess.org/haring

Ocean State Chess Association is the Official R.I. State Affiliate of the United States Chess Federation