2026 Kentucky State Team Championships (K-1 and Alternates)

March 14, 2026

Register  Entry List

2026 State Scholastic Team Championship K-1 and Alternates Sections

Overview 

This registration page is ONLY for:

  1. K-1 Championship Section: A team-modified Swiss tournament. Any Kentucky resident student in Grade 1 or below may participate, even without a school team.
  2. Alternates Sections (K-3, K-5, K-8, K-12): Co-located individuals tournament. Schools which have more than four players should register their excess players here. This section is open to any student, regardless of whether they have a team or not.

Looking for the Main K-3, K-5, K-8, or K-12 Team Registration? Use this link instead.

Basics

    • When: Saturday, March 14, 2026
    • Where: Bullitt Central High School, 1330 KY-44, Shepherdsville, KY 40165
    • Concessions available on-site.
    • Schedule: 
      • Doors Open: 8:00 AM
      • K-1 championships, K-3 alternates (G/25;d5)
        • Round 1: 9:00 AM
        • Round 2: 10:45 AM
        • Round 3: 1:30 PM
        • Round 4: 3 PM
        • Awards: Immediately following the end of round 4.
      • K-5, K-8, K-12 alternates (G/60;d5)
        • Round 1: 9 AM
        • Round 2: 11:30 AM
        • Round 3: 2 PM
        • Round 4: 4:30 PM
        • Awards: Immediately following the completion of round 4. 

Format

  • Format: Team-Modified Swiss:  players play as individuals, but will not play teammates. Top four individual scores make the team score.
  • Time Control: G/60; delay 5 for alternates. G25/d5 for K-1.
  • Sections: K-1 Championship, K-5 Alternates, K-8 Alternates, K-12 Alternates. 
  • Awards:  
    1. K-1 championship: Trophies for Top 3 Teams; Plaques/Medals for the top 4 members of those teams. 
    2. Alternates section:  Medals to the top finishers.

Entry Fees and Registration

    • Registration: Online through King Registration only. To register, click the “Register” button at the top of LINK .
    • Early Bird: $36 through Monday, March 9th.
    • Late: $50 after March 9th
    • Deadline: Midnight on Thursday, March 12th. No on-site registration.

 

  • Sibling discount available: see bottom of this posting.

 

  • US Chess Federation Membership is required for all players.
  • Financial Aid: We will not let the registration fee be an obstacle to any student’s participation. Please e-mail k12@kychess.org if a student needs a fee waiver or discount.

Tournament Rules & Logistics

  • US Chess Rules: As this is a championship event, all US Chess Rules will be strictly enforced!
  • KCA Championship Rules: Coaches should thoroughly familiarize themselves with Section N of the Blue Book, which covers the State Team Championship in detail.
  • Equipment: Boards and pieces will be provided. Since we are allocating our clocks first to the primary team tournament, please bring clocks if you have them.
  • Notation: Required for grades 6+. Players not taking notation will be assessed a time penalty.  Notation sheets will be provided for grades 6+.  Electronic scoresheets are prohibited.
  • Technical Rules: Rule 15A (writing moves prior to making them) and 10I2 (touching rook first when castling) are in effect. Accelerated pairings may be used. The TD reserves the right to use live Regular or Quick ratings for pairing purposes. The “No-Show” or “Forfeit” time for late arrival is 30 minutes for all sections. Registering for the tournament includes consent to be contacted by the KCA for future tournaments.
  • Awards: The K-1 tournament has awards for the top 5 teams and plaques for members of the top two teams.  The alternates tournament has medals to the top three players in each section.

Amenities & Safety

  • Supervision: Players under age 14 must have a responsible adult on-site (parent or coach) for the duration of the event.
  • Seating: Parents/players are strongly encouraged to bring camp chairs and folding tables.

For questions or alternate school payments, please contact:

Ryan Gabbard, Scholastic Coordinator

Email: k12@kychess.org

Please include "State Teams" in the subject line.

 

Registering with the sibling discount

You may use the sibling discount in the alternates and K-1 tournaments for all kids beyond the first you register from the same family.  Having a sibling in the main tournament allows you to use this code for the alternates.

To get the use sibling discount, you need to use the discount code SIBLING for the second and subsequent kids.  However, King Registration applies any discount code give to all kids in your cart, so you need to register in either of the following ways: (1) register the first kid in one transaction, then make a second transaction with the SIBLING discount code for the remainder, or (2) add all but one kid, apply the SIBLING discount code, and then add the last kid at full price.