Scholastic chess · Qualify first
Denker high school state champions
Represent your state through its affiliate nomination process, then compete in the national invitational.
Who it’s for: Grades 9–12; age and residency rules apply
Your first step
Ask your state affiliate which selection event or process it uses for this invitational.
Open official guideThe route
State selection
Follow your affiliate’s published selection process; it may use a championship, an invitational or ratings.
Nomination and confirmation
The affiliate nominates its representative. Confirm participation with US Chess when contacted.
National invitational
Compete as the confirmed representative; an ordinary state tournament win alone is not a guaranteed seat.
Further opportunities
The 2026 rules offer the champion further qualification to the U.S. Junior and World Youth championships, subject to their eligibility rules.
Before you commit: Based on the 2026 rules. Recheck the next edition, age cutoff, residency and any tiebreak or international eligibility requirements.
Sources and review · 2026-10-20
Organizer: US Chess. Causey’s summary is a starting point; the organizer decides eligibility, selection and current availability.