Atwell and Liu Crowned Co-Champions at 2026 National High School Chess Tournament

Over 1,500 students competed in the annual US Chess Federation event in Chicago.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 10:37pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fractured, multi-perspective action of a high-level chess match, with sharp planes of color and overlapping shapes conveying the energy and intensity of the competition.The 2026 National High School Chess Championship featured intense competition and strategic brilliance from the top young players in the country.Chandler Today

The 2026 US Chess Federation's National High School (K-12) Championship took place from March 27 to 29 at the Chicago Sheraton Grand Riverwalk, with over 1,500 students competing across the Championship section and five under/unrated sections. FM Rose Atwell of California and IM Eric Chang Liu of Texas were named co-champions in the individual K-12 category, while Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School of New York, Stuyvesant High School of New York, and Arizona College Prep Erie Campus of Chandler, Arizona were crowned co-champions in the team competition.

Why it matters

The National High School Chess Championship is one of the most prestigious youth chess tournaments in the United States, drawing top talent from across the country. The event highlights the growth and popularity of scholastic chess, which has seen a surge in participation in recent years.

The details

In the individual K-12 category, FM Rose Atwell and IM Eric Chang Liu finished in a tie for first place. This is Liu's fourth straight year winning at least a share of a spring scholastic championship, having won the 2023 National Middle School (K-8) Championship outright, followed by tying for first the next year, and tying for first again last year in the K-12 Championship section of SuperNationals VIII. In the team championships, the co-champions were Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School of New York, Stuyvesant High School of New York, and Arizona College Prep Erie Campus of Chandler, Arizona.

  • The tournament took place from March 27 through 29, 2026.
  • The awards ceremonies were held on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The players

FM Rose Atwell

An 11th grade student from California who was named co-champion of the individual K-12 category.

IM Eric Chang Liu

A 10th grade student from Texas who was named co-champion of the individual K-12 category, marking his fourth straight year winning at least a share of a spring scholastic championship.

Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School

A school from New York City that was named co-champion of the team competition.

Stuyvesant High School

A school from New York City that was named co-champion of the team competition.

Arizona College Prep Erie Campus

A school from Chandler, Arizona that was named co-champion of the team competition.

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The takeaway

The National High School Chess Championship showcases the growth and talent of young chess players across the United States, with top students and schools competing at the highest levels of scholastic chess.