US Chess Federation

GM Arnold Denker National Tournament of High School State Champions

UnconfirmedCompetition

This is a real program, but some details for the current cycle are not published or not yet confirmed. Check the official source before you plan around it.

Award
2026 prizes: Scholarships 1st $5,000, 2nd $4,000, 3rd $3,000, 4th $2,000, 5th $1,000; cash prizes 1st $800, 2nd $500, 3rd $400, 4th $300, 5th $200; Ursula Foster 15 and Under award $1,000; Joanne Haskel (Under 2000) award $100
Deadline
2027 dates not yet posted. For 2026, state nomination forms were due to US Chess by June 1 and the tournament ran August 3 to 6, 2026 in Grand Rapids, MI.
How to apply
Qualify as your state's representative through the method your state chess affiliate chooses (usually a state championship section for grades 9 to 12); the affiliate submits the nomination to US Chess.
What you'll need
  • A nomination from your school
  • A finalist round or selection weekend
Who can apply
One representative per state: a resident of that state, enrolled in grades 9 to 12, and 19 or younger on September 1 of the tournament year.
Good to know
Free event. The US Chess Trust $5,000 first-place scholarship may be used at any school of higher learning on proof of enrollment. Entry depends on winning state selection.