Date(s): Feb 21, 2026
Location: McCormick Place South Building
Categories:
Join us for the Greater Chicago K–12 Championship — the Midwest’s premier scholastic chess event!
This US Chess-rated tournament brings together students from across the region for a full day of intense competition, school pride, and a chance to be crowned a City of Chicago Champion.
🎓 This tournament is open to all CPS students, including those from schools participating in the Academic Chess Program as well as those from non-participating schools. See below for complete details and restrictions. ♟️
👑 TOURNAMENT FORMAT, SECTION, SCHEDULE, AWARDS
🔗 CLICK HERE FOR TOURNAMENT WEBSITE
DETAILS FOR SCHOOLS/ALL STUDENTS
🛡️👩🏫 SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS
To comply with CPS safety and Academic Chess program requirements, schools must follow the chaperone ratios below:
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Grades 1-2: must have a parent present
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Grades 2–8: 1 chaperone for every 5 students
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Grades 9–12: 1 chaperone for every 8 students
Chaperones must be one of the following:
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CPS employee
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CPS Level I or Level II volunteer
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CPS-approved vendor
🍕 FOOD AT THE TOURNAMENT
Academic Chess is unable to provide lunch for this tournament. However, food carts will be available onsite with meals and refreshments available for purchase by participants and guests. We encourage coaches and schools to plan accordingly to ensure students have sufficient food for the day. Thank you for your understanding and support
🚌 BUSING
Times
- Drop-off: 8:30 AM
- Pick-up: 7:00 PM
Each Academic Chess school is responsible for requesting transportation by Noon on February 11. Both official and non official Academic Chess students can take the bus. Busing is not available to Non-Academic Chess students.
🚙 PARENT DROP OFF/PICK-UP PROCEDURES
Times
- Drop-off: 8:30–9:30 AM
Pick-up: 6:00–7:00 PM
Parents who wish to drop off or pick up their child during the designated times must use Gate 26.
- No parking is permitted at Gate 26 or any other gate.
- Parents may only drop off or pick up at the Gate 26 and may not walk their child to the playing area.
- Event staff will be stationed at Gate 26 and along the route to the playing site to safely direct players.
- See event site map for directions to Gate 26
All players must have a responsible adult onsite throughout the day.
Walking Players to the Playing Area or Outside Designated Times
- Parents who wish to walk their child to or from the playing area must park in Lot B and enter through Gate 26.
- Parents who need to drop off or pick up outside the designated times must park in Lot B and walk into the building.
NON-ACADEMIC CHESS SCHOOLS/STUDENTS
Students who are not part of the Academic Chess program are welcome to participate. However, families are responsible for all associated costs, including the tournament entry fee and any required US Chess membership. A responsible adult must be onsite with the student at all times to ensure proper supervision and support throughout the event.
Please visit the TOURNAMENT WEBSITE for full details and to complete registration.
ACADEMIC CHESS SCHOOLS/STUDENTS
OFFICIAL DELEGATION
All Academic Chess schools may send an official delegation of up to 15 students to this tournament. Students included in the official delegation will receive free entry and a free new or renewed USCF membership if required to compete. Students must be in grades 2-12.
Kindergartner & 1st graders may not be official players but may participate as additional students on the chess team.
ADDITIONAL STUDENTS (Beyond Official Delegation)
Academic Chess Students who are not part of the official delegation can still participate. However, families are responsible for all associated costs, including the tournament entry fee. A responsible adult must be onsite with the student at all times to ensure proper supervision and support throughout the event.
Please visit the TOURNAMENT WEBSITE for full details and to complete registration.
DETAILS FOR OFFICIAL DELEGATION OF STUDENT
🧾US CHESS MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED
- Coaches must submit US Chess membership info for students with no or expired memberships
- Online membership form must be completed by 4 PM on the Friday before the tournament
- Students without a current US Chess membership or submitting the required information will not be paired for Round 1
📝 REGISTRATION
By Academic Chess coaches only
- Open through Noon on February 11
- No late or on-site registration
- Limit 15 players per school
- Must use coupon code CPS2026GC
- Use 999 for students without a current US Chess ID number
- Verify advance entry list and report errors by February 11 at 1 PM to daheiser@cps.edu
🔁 SECTION CHANGES
- Advance request deadline: Noon February 18
- No onsite section changes allowed
🔄 SUBSTITUTIONS
- Advance request deadline: Noon February 18
- No on-site substitutions
❌ WITHDRAWALS
- Use the online withdrawal form up to Noon on February 18; afterwards mark absences on your school’s check-in sheet
- If your entire school team is withdrawing from the tournament, please notify David Heiser by email at daheiser@cps.edu
For questions, email daheiser@cps.edu
