North American Youth Chess Championship 2026
North American Youth Chess Championship 2026 takes place from November 10 to November 17, 2026 at Hotel del Prado in Mexico City, Mexico. The main nine-round Standard championships are played from November 11 to November 16.
The championship is open to youth players representing the three North American members of the Confederation of Chess for Americas: Canada, Mexico and the United States. Players compete in U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18, with separate Open and Girls championships in every age group.
Each Standard section is FIDE-rated and consists of nine Swiss-system rounds at 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. The programme also includes separate FIDE Rapid and Blitz tournaments, while leading finishers can earn medals and direct FIDE titles or norms under the applicable regulations.
♟️ Event Details
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Overall Dates | November 10–17, 2026 |
| 🎯 Standard Championship | November 11–16, 2026 |
| 🌍 City / Country | Mexico City, Mexico |
| 📍 Venue | Hotel del Prado – Av. Marina Nacional 399, Verónica Anzures, Miguel Hidalgo, 11300 Ciudad de México, Mexico |
| ♟️ Formats | Standard, Rapid and Blitz |
| 👥 Standard Sections | U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18 – Open & Girls |
| 🔢 Standard Rounds | 9 |
| 🧩 System | Swiss system |
| ⏱️ Standard Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| 📊 Rating | National and FIDE rating calculation |
| 🌎 Eligible Federations | Canada, Mexico and United States |
| 👤 Local Organizer | José Humberto Muñoz Solórzano |
| 👥 Organizers | Confederation of Chess for Americas, FENAMAC and Copa Revolución 2026 Organizing Committee |
| 📝 General Registration Deadline | November 9, 2026 at 16:00 |
| 🌐 Official Website | https://coparevolucion.com.mx/north-american/ |
| 🏆 Chess-Results Master List | https://chess-results.com/tnr1448202.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
♟️ Standard Championship
| Tournament Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| ➕ Increment | 30 seconds from move 1 |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| 🧩 System | Swiss |
| 📊 Rating | National + FIDE Standard |
| ⌛ Default Time | 30 minutes |
| 💻 Pairings | Swiss-Manager |
A player who arrives more than 30 minutes after the scheduled starting time loses by default.
Moreover, one absence can result in removal from the tournament unless the player informs the section arbiter, before the next pairing is prepared, that they intend to continue.
⚖️ Standard Tie-Breaks
The published order is:
- Buchholz Cut 1
- Buchholz
- Sonneborn-Berger
- Progressive / Cumulative Score
- Direct Encounter
- Greater Number of Wins
Once officially published, pairings are not normally changed except in circumstances permitted by the relevant FIDE Swiss-system regulations.
⚡ Rapid Championship
| Tournament Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Date | November 14 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 10 minutes + 5 seconds per move |
| ➕ Increment | 5 seconds from move 1 |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| 📊 Rating | FIDE Rapid |
🔥 Blitz Championship
| Tournament Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Date | November 16 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 3 minutes + 2 seconds per move |
| ➕ Increment | 2 seconds from move 1 |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| 📊 Rating | FIDE Blitz |
Rapid and Blitz are played under FIDE rules and have their own age and gender classifications.
🏆 Awards & FIDE Titles
There is no published cash prize fund for the main championship. Instead, the event awards trophies, medals and direct FIDE titles or norms where the required conditions are met.
General Awards
| Place | Award |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | Trophy + Medal |
| 🥈 2nd | Trophy + Medal |
| 🥉 3rd | Trophy + Medal |
| 4th | Medal |
| 5th | Medal |
The winner of each championship section is declared 2026 North American Youth Chess Champion in that category.
♟️ Open Sections – Direct FIDE Titles
| Age Group | FIDE Title Opportunity |
|---|---|
| U18 | Gold: IM title; Silver & Bronze: FM title |
| U16 | Gold: IM norm; applicable first-place tie: FM title; Silver & Bronze: CM title |
| U14 / U12 | Gold: FM title; Silver & Bronze: CM title |
| U10 / U8 | Gold, Silver & Bronze: CM title |
👧 Girls Sections – Direct FIDE Titles
| Age Group | FIDE Title Opportunity |
|---|---|
| U18 | Gold: WIM title; Silver & Bronze: WFM title |
| U16 | Gold: WIM norm; applicable first-place tie: WFM title; Silver & Bronze: WCM title |
| U14 / U12 | Gold: WFM title; Silver & Bronze: WCM title |
| U10 / U8 | Gold, Silver & Bronze: WCM title |
All title awards remain subject to the applicable FIDE Direct Titles regulations in force from January 1, 2026.
Rapid and Blitz also award trophies and medals to the top five players in each applicable Open and Girls category.
🧩 Sections / Groups
The Standard championship contains 12 separate competitions.
| Age Group | Open Chess-Results ID | Girls Chess-Results ID |
|---|---|---|
| U8 | 1477675 | 1477718 |
| U10 | 1477729 | 1477731 |
| U12 | 1477743 | 1477746 |
| U14 | 1477753 | 1477758 |
| U16 | 1477762 | 1477764 |
| U18 | 1477765 | 1477767 |
Age Eligibility
| Category | Birth Year |
|---|---|
| U8 | Born in 2018 or later |
| U10 | Born in 2016 or later |
| U12 | Born in 2014 or later |
| U14 | Born in 2012 or later |
| U16 | Born in 2010 or later |
| U18 | Born in 2008 or later |
There is no minimum FIDE rating requirement.
✅ Eligibility
Players must represent Canada, Mexico or the United States.
Each national federation may register as many players as it wishes. However, players from Canada and the United States require federation approval unless the CCA determines otherwise under the applicable regulations.
Mexican players, as representatives of the host federation, do not require that additional federation endorsement.
Official Players
Each national federation may nominate one Official Player in each of the 12 Standard categories.
Therefore, a federation may nominate up to 12 Official Players.
The organizer covers 60% of accommodation and meal costs for up to 12 Official Players and one Head of Delegation, provided that the delegation includes at least four Official Players.
The deadline to register as an Official Player is:
September 10, 2026 at midnight – Mexico City time
Players registered after this deadline are classified as Additional Players and must pay the corresponding fees.
Minors & Responsible Adults
Every player under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult, such as:
- Parent
- Legal guardian
- Coach
- Other formally designated adult
The responsible adult must also be registered with the organizer.
One adult may be responsible for several minors.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| November 10 | 15:00 | Official Arrival |
| November 10 | 18:00 | Technical Meeting |
| November 11 | 16:30 | Opening Ceremony |
| November 11 | 17:00 | Standard Round 1 |
| November 12 | 10:00 | Standard Round 2 |
| November 12 | 17:00 | Standard Round 3 |
| November 13 | 10:00 | Standard Round 4 |
| November 13 | 17:00 | Standard Round 5 |
| November 14 | 10:00 | Standard Round 6 |
| November 14 | 16:00 | Rapid Tournament |
| November 15 | 10:00 | Standard Round 7 |
| November 15 | 17:00 | Standard Round 8 |
| November 16 | 10:00 | Standard Round 9 |
| November 16 | 15:00 | Blitz Tournament |
| November 16 | 18:30 | Closing Ceremony |
| November 17 | 12:00 | Official Departure |
The main Standard championship therefore runs from November 11 through November 16, while the full official programme covers November 10–17.
📝 Registration
Registration must be completed directly with the tournament organizer.
🔗 Official Registration Form
https://forms.gle/HnGi5SLWBfGYs7mX9
Players must complete the registration form and upload proof of payment.
Payment without submission of the official registration form does not constitute a completed entry.
Entry Fees
| Registration Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Official Player | US$140 |
| Additional Player | US$160 |
| Rapid Tournament | US$25 |
| Blitz Tournament | US$25 |
| Accompanying Person Accreditation | US$20 |
Registration Deadlines
| Registration | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Official Player status | September 10 at midnight |
| Main Championship – online | November 9 at 16:00 |
| Rapid & Blitz | November 13 at 20:00 |
After November 9 at 16:00, main-event registration may only be handled at the venue with proof of payment, subject to organizer acceptance.
Registrations completed correctly are non-refundable.
💳 Payment – Canada & USA
Participants from Canada and the United States may use:
- Debit or credit card through the official tournament portal
- International bank transfer
- Consolidated federation payment where permitted
Foreign card payments are subject to an additional 8% banking charge.
International wire transfers require an additional US$35 bank-transfer charge per deposit.
💳 Payment – Mexico
Mexican participants may pay by SPEI to:
Bank: BanBajío
Account Holder: Asociación de Clubes de Ajedrez del D.F., A.C.
CLABE: 030180900043100782
The applicable exchange rate for fees stated in U.S. dollars is determined according to the published Banco de México exchange rate on the date of registration and payment.
👥 Organizer
| Organizer Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 👥 Organizer | Copa Revolución 2026 Organizing Committee / FENAMAC / Confederation of Chess for Americas |
| 👤 Contact Person | José Humberto Muñoz Solórzano |
| ✉️ Email | naycc2026@fenamac.info |
| 📞 Phone / WhatsApp | +52 55 4353 4008 |
📍 Venue
Hotel del Prado – Av. Marina Nacional 399, Verónica Anzures, Miguel Hidalgo, 11300 Ciudad de México, Mexico
Hotel del Prado is both the playing venue and official championship hotel.
The hotel is located in the Verónica Anzures area of Miguel Hidalgo. Its official website confirms the same Marina Nacional 399 address.
Because accommodation rules form part of the championship regulations, participants should not book the hotel independently through the hotel, an online travel agency or another booking platform when the organizer requires accommodation to be processed through the Organizing Committee.
🚆 How to Get There
Venue address: Hotel del Prado – Av. Marina Nacional 399, Verónica Anzures, Miguel Hidalgo, 11300 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| Travel Option | Route / Service | Details |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Official Airport Transfer | Mexico City Airport ↔ Hotel del Prado | Organizer service on November 10 and November 17. Round-trip cost: US$50 per person. |
| 🚕 Airport by Taxi / Car | Mexico City International Airport → Hotel | The hotel lists the airport at approximately 10 km and about 20 minutes by car, although Mexico City traffic can significantly increase journey time. |
| 🚇 Metro | Normal Station – Line 2 | Hotel del Prado lists Normal Metro station approximately 16 minutes away on foot. |
| 🚌 Metrobús | Reforma – Line 7 | The hotel lists Reforma Metrobús station at approximately 7 minutes by car. |
| 🚗 By Car | Direct to Hotel del Prado | Use the full Av. Marina Nacional 399, Verónica Anzures address rather than only “Hotel del Prado Mexico City.” |
For youth delegations arriving with luggage, the organizer’s official airport transfer is the simplest option when available.
Players using independent transport should allow substantial extra time because traffic conditions in Mexico City vary greatly throughout the day.
ℹ️ Other Information
🏨 Official Accommodation
Hotel del Prado is the official championship hotel.
Accommodation packages cover:
November 10–17, 2026
They include three buffet-style meals per day, beginning with lunch on November 10 and ending with breakfast on November 17.
Prices are per person and include taxes.
Hotel Rates – September 1–30
| Occupancy | Total Package / Person |
|---|---|
| Single | US$1,450 |
| Double | US$1,070 |
| Child under 12 added to double room | US$710 |
Hotel Rates – From October 1
| Occupancy | Total Package / Person |
|---|---|
| Single | US$1,550 |
| Double | US$1,170 |
| Child under 12 added to double room | US$810 |
Up to two children under 12 may be added to a double room under the published child rate.
For accommodation purposes, participants over 12 years old are treated as adults.
⚠️ Official Hotel Requirement
Participants, coaches and accompanying persons who do not stay at the official hotel must pay a:
US$200 penalty per person
Moreover, a reservation made directly with Hotel del Prado, through an agency, booking website or any method outside the Organizing Committee is treated as non-compliance and can trigger the same penalty.
The regulations state that this hotel penalty does not apply to players competing under the Mexican flag.
Therefore, international participants should arrange the official hotel through the Organizing Committee, not through Booking.com, the hotel’s own website or another third party.
🎟️ Accreditation for Parents & Coaches
Coaches, parents and accompanying persons require an official tournament accreditation to enter the playing hall during permitted periods and remain within designated tournament areas.
The accreditation fee is:
US$20
Without accreditation, access to those tournament areas is not permitted.
📵 Fair Play
FIDE anti-cheating measures apply.
The following items are prohibited inside the playing area:
- Mobile phones
- Smartwatches
- Tablets
- Other electronic or communication devices
- Bags
- Backpacks
- Briefcases
Violation of these rules can result in loss of the game.
⚖️ Appeals
A protest against an arbiter’s decision must be submitted in writing to the Appeals Committee within one hour after the relevant round ends.
The appeal deposit is:
US$200
The deposit is refunded when the appeal is upheld.
📡 Live Games
The organizer plans live transmission of championship games through:
https://coparevolucion.com.mx/
🔗 Official Links
Championship Website:
https://coparevolucion.com.mx/north-american/
Regulations:
https://coparevolucion.com.mx/north-american/download/Convocatoria%20NAYCC%202026.pdf
Registration:
https://forms.gle/HnGi5SLWBfGYs7mX9
Chess-Results Master List:
https://chess-results.com/tnr1448202.aspx?lan=1
Hotel del Prado:
https://www.hoteldelprado.com.mx/en/
Additional Details
Organizer
♟️ About Comité Organizador de la Copa Revolución
Comité Organizador de la Copa Revolución is the dedicated organizing team behind the Torneo Internacional y Nacional de Ajedrez Copa Revolución in Mexico City. The committee manages the tournament’s planning, registration, participant communication, accommodation coordination, prizes, and competition logistics. Moreover, it works within Mexico’s official chess structure alongside the Federación Nacional de Ajedrez de México, A.C. (FENAMAC) and the Asociación de Clubes de Ajedrez del Distrito Federal, A.C. (ACADFAC).
The Copa Revolución tournament itself began in 2013. That inaugural competition offered MXN 18,000 in prizes, used a rapid time control, and attracted 120 players across Open and Amateur categories. The event subsequently expanded its sections and prize structure. However, the tournament’s official history records an important organizational change in 2024, when a new organizing committee took responsibility for the modern Copa Revolución. Therefore, the present committee should not be described as having been founded in 2013 simply because the tournament series began that year.
Ing. José Humberto Muñoz Solórzano currently serves as President of the Organizing Committee and is the principal verified contact behind the event. His role extends beyond the Copa Revolución. In June 2025, FENAMAC appointed him Mexico’s Delegate to FIDE, and FIDE currently lists him in that position under FIDE ID 29694507. In addition, ACADFAC identifies him as the responsible official for its Administrative Commission.
🏆 Development of the Copa Revolución
The Copa Revolución has developed considerably since its first edition. The event initially operated as a one-day rapid tournament. By 2018, however, it offered six categories and MXN 100,000 in prizes.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers moved the 2020 edition online through Lichess. The tournament then adopted a substantially different structure in 2021. It moved into a hotel venue, changed its principal competition to the classical 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move format, and increased its prize fund.
The competition continued to grow after its return to over-the-board chess. In 2023, the event attracted 267 players from six countries across seven categories. Grandmaster Juan Carlos Obregón won the Open section.
A further transformation followed in 2024, when the current organizing committee took over. The official tournament history describes that edition as a renewed Copa Revolución with new organizational resources and a significantly expanded prize structure. Moreover, the event strengthened its relationship with FENAMAC and ACADFAC.
Since then, the committee has maintained a dedicated tournament website, registration system, social-media channels, WhatsApp contact, live-game infrastructure, and recurring annual editions in Mexico City.
🌍 National and International Chess Organization
The committee operates within a wider federation framework rather than functioning as an isolated private tournament promoter. FENAMAC provides national federation endorsement, while ACADFAC plays an important role in the event’s Mexico City chess structure.
For recent Copa Revolución editions, ACADFAC has also participated in arbitration and financial administration. In 2026, for example, tournament entry fees go to an account held by Asociación de Clubes de Ajedrez del D.F., A.C.
At the same time, José Humberto Muñoz Solórzano has become increasingly involved in major international chess events in Mexico. In 2026, Chess-Results identifies him as organizer of the XIX American Continental Chess Championship in Oaxtepec, including its classical and rapid competitions.
His current role as Mexico’s FIDE Delegate further connects the Copa Revolución organizing structure with international chess administration. Consequently, the committee brings together tournament management in Mexico City with experience from continental and federation-level events.
🧒 Youth Chess and International Development
Youth competition has become increasingly important within the Copa Revolución program. Earlier editions added separate children’s categories as the tournament expanded, while recent events have connected performance with national and international youth opportunities.
The 2026 Copa Revolución includes dedicated Under-12 and Under-16 sections. These competitions receive national and FIDE rating and use seven-round Swiss formats. In addition, the organizers provide trophies, medals, chess equipment, and other awards for leading junior players.
The committee’s international youth role expands significantly in 2026. Mexico City hosts the North American Youth Chess Championship 2026 alongside the wider Copa Revolución festival program from November 10–17.
The championship includes U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, and U18 Open and Girls sections for players representing Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Moreover, leading players can earn medals, direct FIDE titles, and title norms under the applicable championship regulations.
The official North American Youth regulations again identify José Humberto Muñoz Solórzano as President of the Organizing Committee. They also use the Copa Revolución website, Facebook page, Instagram account, WhatsApp number, and live-broadcast infrastructure. Therefore, the committee’s role in 2026 extends beyond its traditional national open into a major continental youth championship.
🌟 XIV Copa Revolución 2026
The XIV Torneo Internacional y Nacional de Ajedrez Copa Revolución takes place from November 11–16, 2026 at Hotel del Prado in Mexico City.
The 2026 program includes Open, Experts, Amateur, U12, and U16 sections. The Open uses nine Swiss rounds, while the remaining sections use seven rounds.
Classical sections use a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. Meanwhile, the school sections use 30 minutes plus a 30-second increment. All categories are scheduled for both national and FIDE rating.
The Open also provides opportunities for international FIDE norms and Mexican national titles under the relevant regulations. The published cash prize tables total MXN 292,000 across the Open, Experts, and Amateur sections, before the additional awards in the school competitions.
Chess-Results identifies José Humberto Muñoz Solórzano as organizer of the 2026 tournament. Meanwhile, FENAMAC’s own tournament page lists Comité Organizador de la Copa Revolución 2026 as the event organizer.
This structure is important for MyChess.Events. FENAMAC endorses and regulates the competition, while ACADFAC provides institutional and administrative support. However, the dedicated Copa Revolución Organizing Committee remains the recognizable operational organizer of the event.
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