The 2027 Southern Nevada Scholastic Chess Championship takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, on Saturday, March 6, 2027, at Del Sol Academy of the Performing Arts. Organized by Silver State Chess Association, it is an official regional qualifier for the Nevada State Scholastic Chess Championships, with individual medals and school-team trophies.

The US Chess-rated competition offers seven sections for pupils from kindergarten through high school. The K–1, K–3, K–5 and two Challengers sections use six rounds at G/25+5, while the Middle School and High School Championship sections play five rounds at G/30+10. Participation is restricted to students who reside in Nevada or attend school there.

Welcome announcements begin at 8:45 AM, and Round 1 starts at 9:00 AM. Entry fees increase from $55 through December 31, 2026, to $150 for on-site registration. Formal entry is through the official King Registration form. The top individual and school-team performers can advance to further Nevada championship stages under the organizer’s qualifying rules.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The five younger or lower-rated groups compete in six rounds at 25 minutes plus five seconds per move. The Middle School and High School Championships have five rounds at 30 minutes plus ten seconds per move. The official notice identifies this as a US Chess-rated over-the-board event, not a FIDE-rated tournament.

Players may request up to two half-point byes before 8:30 AM on March 6. A bye requested for Round 4 or later becomes irrevocable after 12:30 PM on tournament day. The organizer determines exact pairings and subsequent-round starts.

🏆 Awards & Qualification

Individual medals go to the top ten players in every section, and team trophies are awarded to leading school teams. Every competitor receives a participation pin. The official announcement does not identify a cash prize fund.

Southern and Northern Nevada qualifiers meet in an online state championship. The winners in the designated High School, Middle School, K–5 and K–3 state divisions may represent Nevada at national tournaments in Dallas in August. The association describes a travel stipend for qualifying individual state representatives after completing the national event without a forfeit. Team champions do not qualify for a national team tournament through this pathway.

♟️ Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

All times are local Pacific Standard Time (PST) on March 6, 2027. The organizer has confirmed the initial timetable; later rounds begin about 15 minutes after the preceding round ends.

On-site registrants may not be paired for the first round. The event announcement does not give a fixed finishing time, so families should leave flexibility for the awards ceremony.

📝 Registration

Register through the official 2027 Southern Nevada King Registration page. US Chess membership is required, and all competitors must be Nevada residents or Nevada school students. Players who compete in the Southern regional qualifier are ineligible for the separate Northern qualifier.

For entry and refund enquiries, email info@silverstatechess.org. The MyChess.Events registration button remains an internal enquiry form, separate from the organizer’s official entry system.

🏛️ Organizer

Silver State Chess Association (SSCA) coordinates scholastic chess events across Nevada and administers separate northern and southern regional qualifiers. Its tournament series includes individual and team championships for students from kindergarten through high school.

📍 Venue

All championship sections are held at Del Sol Academy of the Performing Arts, 3100 East Patrick Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89120, USA, a Clark County public school. The official school website confirms the address, and the US Chess event notice identifies the venue as handicap accessible.

Enter at the tournament’s designated school check-in area and follow signs or organizer instructions to the chess playing rooms. As this is a school campus rather than a hotel, it is advisable to confirm the visitor entrance and parking arrangements before arrival.

🏨 Accommodation

Families travelling to Las Vegas can consider hotels in the airport and Green Valley area. These verified hotel listings provide options within the wider neighborhood, although none has been designated as the official tournament hotel. Both links for each property use Stay22 Allez with March 5 check-in and March 7 checkout, 2027; verify the drive and room availability before booking.

🍽️ Nearby Restaurants & Cafés

The East Patrick Lane area has several casual food choices, including fast-food, coffee and sit-down dining. The organizer plans to supply pizza lunch for tournament participants and staff, with a 60–90-minute break after Round 2. Confirm any dietary needs directly.

🚆 How to Get There

Del Sol Academy is located at 3100 East Patrick Lane, Las Vegas, Nevada 89120, southeast of the central Las Vegas Strip and close to the airport area.

✈️ By Air

Harry Reid International Airport is the main commercial airport for Las Vegas. Arrange a rental car, taxi or rideshare to the school. Airport shuttles provided by nearby hotels may not transport guests to the tournament venue.

🚗 By Car

Use the school address for navigation and follow tournament signage. Check organizer instructions for the permitted school parking area and the specific building entrance.

🚌 By Public Transport

The Las Vegas Valley is served by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). Visit RTC Southern Nevada to check routes and Saturday schedules. Allow time for any final walk to the school.

ℹ️ Other Information

School Team Scoring

At least two students from the same school in the same section are needed to form a team. If two to four students play in that section, all their scores count. With five or more, the four highest scores determine the team total. Scores from different sections are not added together.

State Championship Pathway

Top individual players and leading school teams qualify for an online statewide competition against Northern Nevada qualifiers. Winning certain individual state sections can lead to national invitational representation. Age, rating and state-level eligibility restrictions apply.

Useful Official Links