2026 North American Junior Championships
2026 North American Junior Championships
Hilton Charlotte University Place
OVERVIEW
The 2026 North American Junior (U20) Championships will be held December 18-23. The NA Junior is the official Continental Junior Championship of North America and endorsed by the Confederation for Chess in the Americas. This event offers IM/FM titles and GM/IM norms for medalists, as well as a Blitz Championship side event.
The NA Junior is held just before the Winter Classic (same venue) and the Winter Elite Camp (different venue).
WHEN
December 18-23, 2026
WHERE
Hilton Charlotte University Place
8629 JM Keynes Drive
Charlotte, NC 28262
Free Internet, Free Parking
$139/Night
Click "edit stay" at the top of the booking page to select your exact dates
Please email us if the booking link is not showing the correct rate.
REGISTRATION
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Online registration required.
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Online registration closes December 17. Same-day registrations may incur a 0-point bye in round 1 at the Chief Arbiter's discretion.
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This event is US Chess and FIDE-rated. US Chess membership required for all players.
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On-site check-in is not necessary for pre-registered players.
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Official Players - each federation (CAN, MEX, USA) may designate one player as their official representative per section. The gold medalists from the 2025 North American Junior Championships may also register as official players in the same sections. ORs receive free entry (full refund is already paid) if fully registered by November 15. Upon completion of the event, they will also be reimbursed a fee of $200 USD to help with travel expenses. ORs registering after November 15 will be considered regular players and are not eligible for OR conditions.
ELIGIBILITY
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Open to players from Canada, Mexico, and USA who are under 20 years old (19 and younger) as of 1/1/2026. All players must be born on or after 1/1/2006.
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Players' FIDE federation must show CAN, MEX, or USA.
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This event is US Chess and FIDE-rated. US Chess membership required for all players.
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There is no rating or title minimum or maximum.
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Girls may enter either section - Open U20 or Girls U20.
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Erroneous registrations will be subject to the refund policy.
SECTIONS
Open U20 (open to boys and girls)
Girls U20
FORMAT
9 round Swiss
Time Control: G/90; inc/30
PRIZES
Medals - Gold, Silver, Bronze medals to top 3 per section (on tiebreaks).
Direct Titles
| Place | Section | FIDE Title/Norm |
|
1st Place (Gold) |
Open U20 |
IM title + GM norm
|
|
=1st, Silver/Bronze on TB
|
Open U20
|
IM title
|
|
Silver, Bronze
|
Open U20
|
FM title + IM norm
|
|
1st Place (Gold)
|
Girls U20
|
WIM title + WGM norm
|
|
=1st, Silver/Bronze on TB
|
Girls U20
|
WIM title
|
|
Silver, Bronze
|
Girls U20
|
WFM title + WIM norm
|
TIEBREAKS
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Direct Encounter (applies if all tied players have played each other)
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Greater # wins
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Greater # games with Black
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Buchholz cut 1
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Buchholz
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Sonneborn-Berger
SCHEDULE
Registration closes December 17
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Date |
Event |
Time |
|---|---|---|
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Fri, 12/18 |
Players Meeting (required) |
5:45pm |
|
Round 1 |
6:00pm |
|
|
Sat, 12/19 |
Round 2 |
10:00am |
|
Round 3 |
4:00pm |
|
|
Sun, 12/20 |
Round 4 |
10:00am |
|
Round 5 |
4:00pm |
|
|
Mon, 12/21 |
NA Junior Blitz |
11:00am |
|
Round 6 |
4:00pm |
|
|
Tue, 12/22 |
Round 7 |
10:00am |
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Round 8 |
4:00pm |
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Wed, 12/23 |
Round 9 |
10:00am |
SIDE EVENT
Monday, December 21, 11:00am
ENTRY FEES
$165 by December 1
$175 after December 1
CONTACT
events@charlottechesscenter.org
SPECIAL NOTES
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Please read CCC Terms and Conditions and Fair Play Policy.
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No Spectators. Parents and spectators are not permitted in the playing area and nearby hallways and restrooms.
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Withdrawals/Refunds:
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Withdrawals by December 16 will be refunded less a $25 transaction fee.
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No refunds after December 16.
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Byes:
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No half-point byes.
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Unlimited 0-point byes may be requested at least 90 minutes before the relevant round.
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Equipment: Sets and clocks provided (must use our equipment). Players must use the provided scoresheets and hand in a copy to an arbiter after each game. Personal scorebooks are not permitted.
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US Chess and FIDE-rated. US Chess membership is required.
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December FIDE ratings used for pairings and prizes.
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By registering for or attending the NA Junior or any side events, players and guests grant permission to CCC to take and use photographs and video for purposes related to the event.