2027 New York Metro Area Scholastic Chess Championships
The 2027 New York Metro Area Scholastic Chess Championships will take place on January 2–3, 2027 at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square, New York City. Organized by Official Chess, the second annual Metros brings together scholastic players from kindergarten through high school for a major US Chess-rated championship weekend.
The tournament features 17 sections designed for different grade levels and ratings. Players can choose between five two-day Championship sections with longer time controls or twelve one-day Under sections with rating ceilings. Unrated players are allowed, while Championship sections are open to eligible students regardless of rating.
The inaugural Metros attracted nearly 1,450 players, and the 2027 edition returns to the same Times Square venue with individual and team trophies, recognition medals for every player, Official Chess trading cards, Coaches Corner, team rooms, and special hotel rates.
♟️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | January 2–3, 2027 |
| Country | United States |
| City | New York, New York |
| Venue | New York Marriott Marquis – Times Square |
| Eligibility | K–12 students from anywhere |
| Sections | 17 total sections |
| Championship Sections | 5 two-day sections |
| Under Sections | 12 one-day sections |
| Pairing System | Swiss |
| Rating | US Chess Regular Rated |
| FIDE Rated | No |
| Organizer | Official Chess |
| Official Event Page | https://officialchess.org/event/jan2027metros/ |
| Registration | https://officialchess.org/event/jan2027metros/ |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses two formats depending on the section.
| Format | Rounds | Time Control |
|---|---|---|
| Championship Sections | 6 | G/70 d5 |
| Under Sections | 5 | G/30 d5 |
The five Championship sections run across both Saturday and Sunday. They are open to eligible students regardless of rating.
The twelve Under sections are one-day events with rating ceilings. Six are played on Saturday and six on Sunday.
The tournament uses the December 2026 published US Chess Regular Rating List. Unrated players may enter any section for which they meet the grade eligibility requirements.
Half-Point Byes
Players may request a maximum of two half-point byes.
All half-point bye requests must be submitted before the start of Round 2.
Tie-Breaks
Individual standings use the following tie-breaks in order:
- Modified Median
- Solkoff
- Cumulative
- Opponents Cumulative
- Coin Flip
Opponents Cumulative does not apply to team tie-breaks.
🧩 Sections / Groups
Two-Day Championship Sections
All Championship sections are open to eligible students regardless of rating.
| Section | Grade Eligibility |
|---|---|
| High School Championship | K–12 |
| Middle School Championship | K–8 |
| Elementary Championship | K–5 |
| Primary Championship | K–3 |
| K–1 Championship | K–1 |
These sections consist of 6 rounds at G/70 d5 and are played over both days.
Saturday Under Sections
| Section | Grade Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Middle School U1700 | K–8 |
| Middle School U1300 | K–8 |
| Middle School U900 | K–8 |
| Primary U1000 | K–3 |
| Primary U600 | K–3 |
| K–1 U400 | K–1 |
Saturday Under sections consist of 5 rounds at G/30 d5.
Sunday Under Sections
| Section | Grade Eligibility |
|---|---|
| High School U1800 | K–12 |
| High School U1400 | K–12 |
| High School U1000 | K–12 |
| Elementary U1500 | K–5 |
| Elementary U1100 | K–5 |
| Elementary U700 | K–5 |
Sunday Under sections also consist of 5 rounds at G/30 d5.
Pre-School Players
Under US Chess scholastic guidelines, pre-school players may participate in eligible K–X sections.
They may continue to play as kindergarten students or in K–X sections in subsequent years until they begin first grade.
Playing in More Than One Section
Players may compete in two different Under sections, playing one on Saturday and another on Sunday, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
Each section requires a separate registration.
Players participating in a two-day Championship section may compete only in that Championship section for the weekend.
📅 Schedule
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony is scheduled for approximately 8:30 AM on Saturday, January 2, before Round 1.
Championship Sections
All five Championship sections follow the same schedule.
| Round | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Saturday | 9:30 AM |
| Round 2 | Saturday | 1:00 PM |
| Round 3 | Saturday | 4:00 PM |
| Round 4 | Sunday | 9:00 AM |
| Round 5 | Sunday | 12:30 PM |
| Round 6 | Sunday | 3:30 PM |
Championship awards are scheduled for approximately 7:00 PM on Sunday.
Saturday Under Sections
All Saturday Under sections follow the same round schedule.
| Round | Time |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | 9:30 AM |
| Round 2 | 11:00 AM |
| Round 3 | 1:00 PM |
| Round 4 | 2:30 PM |
| Round 5 | 4:00 PM |
Awards are expected at approximately 6:00 PM Saturday.
Sunday Under Sections
All Sunday Under sections use the same schedule.
| Round | Time |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | 9:30 AM |
| Round 2 | 11:00 AM |
| Round 3 | 1:00 PM |
| Round 4 | 2:30 PM |
| Round 5 | 4:00 PM |
Awards are expected at approximately 6:00 PM Sunday.
📝 Registration
Registration is completed through the official tournament page.
The entry price depends on the registration date, whether the player enters a one-day Under section or a two-day Championship section, and whether the family chooses Basic or Entry PLUS.
Entry PLUS includes access to the Coaches Corner, where Master-level players and professional coaches provide game reviews and advice between rounds.
Basic Entry
| Registration Period | One Day | Two Days |
|---|---|---|
| Through Sept. 30 | $100 | $125 |
| Oct. 1 – Nov. 1 | $120 | $145 |
| After Nov. 1 | $150 | $175 |
| After Dec. 1 | $180 | $205 |
| After Dec. 31 | $230 | $255 |
| On-Site | $285 | $305 |
Entry PLUS
| Registration Period | One Day | Two Days |
|---|---|---|
| Through Sept. 30 | $140 | $185 |
| Oct. 1 – Nov. 1 | $160 | $205 |
| After Nov. 1 | $190 | $235 |
| After Dec. 1 | $220 | $265 |
| After Dec. 31 | $270 | $315 |
| On-Site | $325 | $365 |
The current published pricing through November 1, 2026 is therefore $120 for a one-day Basic entry and $145 for a two-day Basic entry. Entry PLUS currently costs $160 for one day or $205 for two days.
Players registering on-site automatically receive a half-point bye for Round 1 and begin normal pairing with Round 2.
Official registration:
https://officialchess.org/event/jan2027metros/
Section Changes
Section changes are free through November 30, 2026.
A $20 change fee applies from December 1–26, while a $40 fee applies from December 27–31.
No section changes are permitted after December 31, 2026.
Cancellations & Refunds
A $15 cancellation/refund fee normally applies.
Players who purchased during the Summer Early Bird period are exempt from this fee if their cancellation request is received by November 15.
No refunds are permitted after December 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET.
👤 Organizer
Organizer Name: Official Chess
Email: info@officialchess.org
Phone: +1 833-332-6277
Website: https://officialchess.org/
📍 Venue
New York Marriott Marquis – 1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036, United States
The New York Marriott Marquis is located directly in Times Square, placing players and families in the center of Manhattan.
The inaugural New York Metro Area Scholastic Chess Championships was also held at the Marriott Marquis, where nearly 1,450 players participated.
Official Hotel Rate
A special Metros rate of $309 per night is available at the New York Marriott Marquis.
Hotel booking:
https://book.passkey.com/e/51335457
Families interested in staying at the Marriott on New Year’s Eve should contact Official Chess directly because rates for that night are substantially higher.
🚆 How to Get There
The New York Marriott Marquis is located at 1535 Broadway in Times Square, one of Manhattan’s most accessible areas by public transportation.
Multiple subway lines serve Times Square–42nd Street, making public transit generally the easiest option for families staying elsewhere in New York City. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also widely available.
Families arriving by car should allow additional time for Midtown Manhattan traffic and parking. The organizer has also published nearby garage options through SpotHero and ParkWhiz.
Players should plan to arrive well before their first round, particularly on Saturday morning when the opening ceremony takes place before the 9:30 AM start.
ℹ️ Other Information
🏆 Individual Awards
Every participant receives a full-sized custom recognition medal with a spinning insert.
Every player also receives a free pack of Official Chess trading cards.
The number of podium trophies awarded in each section depends on the size of the section. Larger sections will receive more podium trophies.
Players who tie in score with the final podium trophy winner but finish below that player on tie-breaks receive a special “Tie For” Trophy.
⭐ Class Prize Trophies
Under sections award additional Class Prize trophies to the top two eligible players at rating thresholds below the section ceiling.
Championship sections also have Class Prize thresholds. However, these ratings are only used for awards and are not entry restrictions.
A player receiving a Podium Trophy cannot also receive a Class Prize Trophy.
🏫 Team Awards
School team standings are calculated using the top four individual scores from each school.
Teams with two or three players may participate, although they are naturally at a scoring disadvantage.
At least five Team Podium Trophies will be awarded in every section. The winning team trophies will be large 50-inch quadruple-post designs.
Members of winning teams will also receive smaller individual commemorative trophies to take home.
🎁 Bonus Winner Prizes
Top finishers receive discounts toward the following year’s Metros:
| Finish | Next-Year Discount |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | 25% |
| 2nd–5th | 15% |
| 6th–10th | 10% |
Discounts are calculated from the following year’s Early Bird price.
🎓 Coaches Corner
Players choosing Entry PLUS receive access to Coaches Corner.
Master-level players and professional coaches will be available between rounds to review games, identify mistakes, discuss missed opportunities, and help players prepare for upcoming rounds.
Published Coaches Corner participants include International Master Jay Bonin, Correspondence Chess World Champion Jon Edwards, National Master Eric Fleischman, FIDE Master Abimbola “Ayo” Osunfuyi, and National Master Ernest “Steve” Colding.
The coaching lineup is subject to change.
👥 Team Rooms
Schools, chess academies, coaches, and organized teams may reserve private Team Rooms at the Marriott Marquis.
A regular-sized room accommodating approximately 60–85 people is listed at $550 per day, while larger rooms for approximately 120 people are listed at $950 per day.
Team Rooms are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reservations: info@officialchess.org
⏰ Lateness
Players may arrive up to 30 minutes late.
After 30 minutes, a player is considered a no-show and forfeits the game. The player is also treated as withdrawn unless the player or parent contacts Chess Control before pairings for the next round are published.
♟️ Equipment & Notation
Boards and chess pieces are provided.
Players should bring their own chess clocks.
Notation is required in all sections except K-1 U400 and K-1 Championship.
📱 Electronic Devices
Cell phones, smart watches, tablets, computers, and other communication or chess-analysis devices must be completely turned off during tournament play.
Silent mode, vibration mode, and airplane mode do not count as being turned off.
Electronic or AI-enabled eyeglasses are strictly prohibited in the tournament rooms.
👨👩👧 Parent & Player Safety
Parents are not permitted inside tournament rooms while games are in progress.
Parents must supervise their children between rounds. A dedicated holding area will be available for younger players who finish their games and cannot immediately locate their parent.
📸 Photography & Results
By registering, families acknowledge that authorized photography or video may take place during the event and may be used for promotional or educational purposes.
Player names will appear in tournament results and reports, as is standard for US Chess-rated events.
🌐 Official Links
Official tournament page:
https://officialchess.org/event/jan2027metros/
Official Chess:
https://officialchess.org/
Registered players and registration tickets are available directly through the official tournament page.
Organizer
♟️ About Official Chess
Official Chess is a New York-based chess event organizer and tournament platform focused on professionally run US Chess-rated competitions, particularly large scholastic events. The organization combines tournament production with event discovery, player services, educational initiatives, tournament recaps, and chess collectibles.
Its stated approach emphasizes fair pairings, clear schedules, inclusive competition, and a tournament environment designed for both players and families. Official Chess runs its own events while also listing tournaments from partner organizers across the New York area, helping families find and compare competitive opportunities in one place.
By 2026, Official Chess had established a substantial presence in New York scholastic chess through the New York Metro Area Scholastic Chess Championships, the GRADE Metros, and additional tournament projects. Its current programming serves players from beginners through Master-level scholastic competitors and also includes Open events for adults.
🏆 Tournaments & Chess Activities
The flagship Official Chess event is the New York Metro Area Scholastic Chess Championships, commonly called the Metros. The inaugural championship was held at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square in January 2026 and attracted approximately 1,450 players, making it one of the largest recent scholastic chess events in New York City.
Official Chess followed that event with the New York Metro Area Scholastic Chess GRADE Championships in May 2026. The Grade Metros organized players by school grade rather than only by age and rating, creating separate championship opportunities from kindergarten through high school. Super Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura appeared as a special guest at the inaugural Grade Metros.
The organization also runs smaller competitive events, including the Fall Showdown series. Unlike the scholastic-only Metros, selected Showdown events are open to adults and include cash prizes, allowing Official Chess to serve a wider tournament audience in addition to its youth-focused championships.
🌱 Scholastic Chess & Player Development
Scholastic chess is central to the Official Chess model. Its major events are designed to accommodate a wide range of playing strength, from young children entering their first rated tournament to nationally competitive scholastic players.
The Metros format combines open Championship sections with rating-limited “Under” sections. This allows families to choose between stronger unrestricted competition and fields capped at specific ratings. School teams, academies, coaches, and organized groups can also compete for team awards and reserve private team rooms at the tournament venue.
Official Chess also offers Coaches Corner at selected events. Players purchasing enhanced registration packages can review their games between rounds with experienced Masters and professional coaches. This adds a developmental element to the championship weekend rather than treating each event only as a results-based competition.
The organization’s wider educational activity includes the #KindergartenChessForAll initiative, which promotes chess among younger children and the families and classrooms supporting them.
🌆 New York Metro Area Scholastic Chess Championships
The 2027 New York Metro Area Scholastic Chess Championships take place on January 2–3, 2027, at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square.
The tournament includes 17 sections. Five Championship sections run over both days with six rounds at G/70 d5, while twelve rating-restricted sections are played as one-day, five-round competitions at G/30 d5. Students from kindergarten through grade 12 may participate according to the published grade and rating rules.
Official Chess has assembled an experienced tournament staff for the event. David Hater serves as Chief Tournament Director, while Sunil Weeramantry is Special Tournament Advisor. The wider technical team includes multiple US Chess National and Senior Tournament Directors, FIDE arbiters, and experienced scholastic officials.
The organization also announced that the Metros organizer is now a Delegate to the US Chess Federation, nominated by the New York State Chess Association. Official Chess has not publicly identified that individual by name on the current event page.
🃏 Chess Media, Trading Cards & Event Discovery
Official Chess has expanded beyond tournament organization into chess media and collectibles. The organization produces Official Chess Trading Cards, featuring historic players, openings, defenses, chess pieces, equipment, and other chess themes.
Its website also functions as a regional event-discovery platform. In addition to Official Chess-run tournaments, the calendar lists events organized by established New York-area organizations and academies. This makes the platform useful both for players entering Official Chess competitions and for families searching for other rated events.
Tournament recaps, event photographs, player information, registration tools, and preparation pages support this wider role. Official Chess also maintains tournament-specific WhatsApp communication channels for important operational announcements during major events.
📚 Development & Current Direction
Official Chess emerged as a visible New York tournament organizer during 2025–2026, with the first Metros announced in late 2025 and staged in January 2026. The scale of that inaugural event quickly established the organization within the metropolitan scholastic tournament scene.
The organization has since broadened its program through the Grade Metros, Fall Showdown events, tournament discovery services, educational initiatives, and branded chess collectibles.
Its current direction combines large destination-style championship events with practical services for players, parents, coaches, schools, and academies. The return of the Metros for a second edition in January 2027 continues that expansion.
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