The 2026 winter chess tournament for students in kindergarten through Grade 12 is set for Saturday, Feb. 21.

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) will host the tournament from 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Henry E. Lackey High School. Students must check in by 8:45 a.m. to be paired to play in the first round at 9 a.m.

The event features a four-round Swiss-style format, with students in Grades 6 to 12 using chess clocks. An awards ceremony with trophies, medals and certificates handed out will cap off the tournament following the fourth-round match.

Students must register by Feb. 17 with no walk-in registrations accepted on the day of the tournament. To register, click here. For more information, email ccpsgifted@ccboe.com.

Lackey is at 3000 Chicamuxen Road in Indian Head.

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,904 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. 

CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).