2026 National Invitationals Update

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Mississippi Chess Association Announces 2026 US Chess Invitational Nominees and Susan Polgar Foundation Nominees

We are thrilled to announce the Mississippi nominees for the prestigious 2026 US Chess National Invitationals and the Susan Polgar Foundation Girls' Invitational. These players have earned their spots through outstanding performances in state-level competitions.

US Chess Invitational Nominees for Mississippi:

  • Denker Tournament of High School State Champions (Grades 9-12): John Wesley Ozier
  • Barber Tournament of Middle School State Champions (Grades 6-8): Lucos Ma*
  • Rockefeller Tournament of Elementary School State Champions (K-5): Owen Young
  • Haring National Tournament of Girls State Champions (K-12): Kayleigh King
  • Irwin National Tournament of Senior State Champions (K-12): Douglas Stewart*

These players will compete against the top representatives from across the country in their respective events, showcasing Mississippi's talent on the national stage. US Chess holds national invitational championships during the US Open each year. This year the event is in Grand Rapids Michigan with the invitational portion occurring August 3-6, 2026.

Susan Polgar Foundation Girls' Invitational Nominee:

  • Susan Polgar Foundation Girls' Invitational: Kayleigh King, Makayla Davis*

This invitation recognizes exceptional achievement among our young female players and provides a wonderful opportunity to compete in a supportive, high-level environment dedicated to empowering girls in chess. This year's Polgar event is online on Chess.com June 6 with a playoff on June 7.

Congratulations to all our nominees! Your hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship inspire players throughout Mississippi. We are proud of you and wish you the best of luck as you represent our state.

A huge thank you to the coaches, parents, tournament directors, and volunteers who make these achievements possible. The future of chess in Mississippi is bright!

* Players who are attending as alternates because the player who would have been the nominee could not attend.

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