KCF 2026 All-Girls National Chess Championship (Chicago, IL)

APRIL 10-12, 2026

The Kasparov Chess Foundation, Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation, and the United States Chess Federation are excited to invite girls from across the United States to compete in the nation’s largest and most prestigious all-girls chess tournament: the 21st Annual KCF All-Girls National Chess Championships.

This tournament is open to girls under 18 years old as of January 1, 2026. Participants will compete in the following categories: Under 8, Under 10, Under 12, Under 14, Under 16, and Under 18. The Champion in each age group will earn the honor of representing the USA at the World Cadet (U8, U10, U12) and World Youth (U14, U16, U18) Championships, in accordance with US Chess Scholastic National and International Invitation Events and Awards.

INFORMATION & REGISTRATION HERE: https://allgirls.rknights.org/

_________________________________________________________________________________

WHERE:
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place – 2233 S Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Chicago, IL

WHEN:
April 10 – 12, 2026

FORMAT:
6-Round, Swiss System (no elimination)

TIME CONTROL: 
Game/90, d5

SCHEDULE:
    Friday:  11 AM Bughouse, 2:30 PM Opening Ceremony, 3 PM Round 1, 7 PM Blitz
    Saturday: 10 AM Round 2, 2:30 PM Round 3, 6:30 PM Round 4
    Sunday: 9 AM Round 5, 1 PM Round 6, 5 PM Awards

SECTIONS: (Age as of January 1, 2026)

Section	Born in year
Under 8	2018 or later
Under 10	2016 or later
Under 12	2014 or later
Under 14	2012 or later
Under 16	2010 or later
Under 18	2008 or later

AWARDS:
    Under 8 top 16 individuals, top 500 – 799, top U500, top 6 schools
    Under 10 top 16 individuals, top 700 – 999, top U700, top 6 schools
    Under 12 top 16 individuals, top 900 – 1199, top U900, top 6 schools
    Under 14 top 16 individuals, top 1100 – 1399, top U1100, top 6 schools
    Under 16 top 8 individuals, Top 1300 – 1599, top U1300, top 3 schools
    Under 18 top 8 individuals, Top 1500 – 1799, top U1500, top 3 schools

Top 3 players added for team scores, team members must attend the same school

If your child or team wins an award, and you were unable to claim it at the tournament, you can contact our trophy maker Crown Trophy in Buffalo Grove, IL, via email at sales@crownbg.com starting Wednesday after the tournament to find out the cost to ship the trophy and to arrange payment.

AWARDS PROCESS (NEW THIS YEAR):

The top 8 individual and team awards will be presented on stage. All other awards can be picked up at the Early Trophy Pickup Table, which will be located in the lobby of room W-190.

RATINGS USED:
For pairing purposes we will be using the April rating supplement. Adjusted ratings may be used in accordance with the USCF National Scholastic Chess Tournament Regulations.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a celebrated tradition in girls’ chess!