Kentucky's scholastic chess season for K-12 students runs from September to April. Almost all tournaments outside the state championships are beginner-friendly, and you usually don’t need to bring your own board or clock. You can find tournaments near you on the scholastic tournament calendar.
The KCA runs the state championship events each season: the four regional Quads, which also qualify teams for the State Team Championship; the State Grades championships; the State Individual championships; State Blitz and Bughouse; and the State Team Championship in March. The Students and Parents page explains each of these and answers common questions, including how homeschooled students can take part.
Every US Chess-rated tournament you play in Kentucky counts toward the Kentucky Scholastic Circuit, a season-long ranking of the state's scholastic players and their schools. Each March the top five scores in each group are named to the All-Kentucky Teams (High School, Junior Varsity, Middle School, Elementary School and Girls), and every player who reaches a set score earns All-Kentucky Honorable Mention or a place on the KY Chess Honor Roll. See the All-Kentucky Teams, and the Students and Parents page for more about the Circuit, state championship titles and national invitations.
On tournament days, check our Today's Tournament page for the schedule, venue layout and other details.