Frequently Asked Questions about registration, eligibility, sections, awards, and logistics.
NEW
What’s New in 2026 SuperStates
SuperStates 2026 brings new sections, new qualification pathways, a new venue, and more community events for players and families.
All-Girls Championship Section — a dedicated Championship section exclusively for girls.
First year for the K–3 National Invitational (Ashley).
K–1 section has been removed from Championship section to be fully aligned with National State Invitational categories.
New venue: LAX Marriott.
Blitz & Bughouse Championship open to all chess players — families and coaches are welcome to join.
New Team Blitz Championship.
General Questions
The SuperStates Championship is a premier chess festival in Southern California, typically held in March or during spring break. It features Championship sections that qualify top players to represent Southern California at National Invitational tournaments, as well as additional sections designed to welcome chess players of all skill levels. To provide greater flexibility for families, SuperStates also offers 1-day events for players who cannot commit to a full multi-day schedule. Beyond scholastic competition, SuperStates includes side events and activities for adults, parents, coaches, and chess enthusiasts, making it a true community-wide celebration of chess.
SuperStates is USCF-rated and not FIDE-rated.
Championship Sections are designed for players who meet the minimum rating requirements and are competing for State Champion titles and National Invitational qualification.
✔ Highly competitive field. Top 5 will be recognized.
✔ Eligible for State Champion titles
✔ Top finishers may qualify to represent SoCal at National Invitationals
✔ SCCF membership required for SoCal residents
Junior Varsity (JV) Sections are also competitive USCF-rated sections, but are structured with maximum rating limits to create fair and balanced competition. JV sections are more beginner-welcome and especially suitable for newer or developing tournament players.
JV Sections offer additional award opportunities:
🏆 Top 10 trophies in each JV section
🏅 Participation medals for all players
✔ Competitive games against similarly rated players
✔ USCF-rated games
✔ More beginner-welcome environment
✖ Not eligible for State titles or National Invitational qualification
If you are unsure which section is most appropriate, please contact ICEA Chess or ask in our WhatsApp Group.
Eligibility & Membership
Yes—if you are a Southern California resident and are playing in a Championship section. An SCCF membership is mandatory for all SoCal residents competing in Championship sections. Otherwise, an SCCF membership is not required.
You can register or renew your SCCF membership here: SCCF Membership.
Yes, players from outside Southern California may participate and compete for trophies.
However, only SoCal residents are eligible to represent Southern California at National Invitationals.
Sections & Ratings
Only Championship sections have minimum rating requirements. Each Championship section has its own minimum rating threshold—please refer to the registration page for specific details. Section eligibility is determined based on a player’s peak rating (including provisional ratings) between November 1 and the registration close date. Usually the March USCF Supplement Rating will be used for section pairings.
If you are a beginner or do not meet the minimum rating, we recommend registering for the Junior Varsity sections .
Yes, you may register early for a Championship section. Section eligibility is determined based on a player’s peak rating (including provisional ratings, meaning you do not need to have completed 25 games) between November 1 and the registration close date. If your rating meets the minimum requirement by that time, you will remain in your selected Championship section. After registration closes, we will review all ratings and make section adjustments as needed. If the minimum rating requirement is not met, players may be moved to the appropriate Junior Varsity (JV) section.
Yes. Girls may participate in any section for which they meet the rating requirements. However, only girls are eligible to compete in the Championship Girls Section.
Rounds & Byes
Championship sections will play 6 rounds over 2 days. Junior Varsity (JV) sections will play 5 rounds over 2 days, with two games per round against the same opponent. All 1-day events will play 5 single rounds.
Yes, byes are allowed. Players may request byes before the tournament begins or before a round starts. Up to two half-point byes are permitted in both Championship and Junior Varsity (JV) sections. Half-point byes must be requested before the tournament day and may not be taken in the final round.
Awards & National Invitations
Awards vary by section. Please refer to the Awards section on the SuperStates.org main page or the corresponding online registration webpage for detailed information.
Top finishers in the Championship sections will earn invitations to represent Southern California at National Invitationals such as the Denker, Haring, Barber, Rockefeller, and Ashley tournaments. If a top finisher is not a Southern California resident or does not have a valid SCCF membership, the invitation will pass to the next eligible finisher, and so on.
Registration & Changes
After completing your registration, please check the Entry List link included in your confirmation email to verify that your name appears. You can also access the Entry List from the registration webpage or from the SuperStates.org main page under the corresponding section.
