2026 New Mexico K-12 Scholastic State Championship

April 25, 2026

Register  Entry List

2026 New Mexico K-12 Scholastic State Championship

Saturday, April 25th, 2026

AIMS@UNM

933 Bradbury Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

Format:4-round Swiss; G/40d5, $40 entry fee by 11:59pm on 04/24/26

  • $50 entry fee after 11:59pm on 04/24/26
  • Four sections: High School (9th-12th), Middle School (6th-8th), Elementary School (K-5th and K-3rd)
    • All sections are USCF Rated

Prizes:

  • High School Championship (9th-12th Grade): Medals to top 5 players, Trophies to top 2 teams
    • The High School Champion (must be in 9th-12th grade) qualifies for the 2026 Denker National Invitational tournament with NMCO travel stipend.
  • Middle School Championship (6th-8th Grade): Medals to top 5 players, Trophies to top 2 teams
    • The Middle School Champion (must be in 6th-8th grade) qualifies for the 2026 Barber National Invitational tournament with NMCO travel stipend.
  • Elementary School Championship (K-5th Grade): Medals to top 5 players, Trophies to top 2 teams
    • The K-5 Champion qualifies for the 2026 Rockefeller National Invitational tournament with NMCO travel stipend.
  • Elementary School Championship (K-3rd Grade): Medals to top 5 players
    • The K-3 Champion qualifies for the 2026 Ashley National Invitational tournament with NMCO travel stipend.

Scholastic Blitz Tournament (side event)

  • Format: 7 round Swiss; G/3+2, $20 entry fee Prizes: Medals to top 5 players

Schedule:

Championship Sections:

April 25th -

  • Round 1: 9am
  • Round 2: 11am
  • Round 3: 1pm
  • Round 4: 3pm
  • Awards: 4:30pm 

Blitz April 25th , Evening -

  • Round 1 - 5pm
  • ASAP rounds after round 1

Special Notes:

The New Mexico K-12 Championship is the OFFICIAL state scholastic championship of New Mexico. It is organized by the New Mexico Chess Organization, which is the New Mexico state chapter of the United States Chess Federation. Players are not required to be a part of a school or team to participate.

Teams: Minimum of two players from the same school in the same section. Top 4 scores from the team will be used for determining team score. Teammate pairing are avoided, but possible, especially in the last half of the tournament.

Byes: Up to 1 optional half-point byes may be requested BEFORE round 1. All byes requested during the event are zero points

Spectators: No spectators are allowed in playing areas when the games have begun for the day. A designated spectator area will be available.

Electronic Devices: Please read NMCO's Electronic Device Policy at nmchess.org/rules

National Invitationals:

  • The High School Champion (must be in 9th-12th grade) qualifies for the 2026 Denker National Invitational tournament with NMCO travel stipend.
  • The Middle School Champion (must be in 6th-8th grade) qualifies for the 2026 Barber National Invitational tournament with NMCO travel stipend.
  • The K-5 Champion qualifies for the 2026 Rockefeller National Invitational tournament with NMCO travel stipend.
  • The K-3 Champion qualifies for the 2026 Ashley National Invitational tournament with NMCO travel stipend.
  • In case of a tie for first place for the national qualifier spots, the top 2 eligible players on tiebreaks will play pairs of G/3+2 blitz games until there is a winner.​