Announcing the 2026 Scholar-Chessplayer Award Recipients: Celebrating Excellence in Chess and Academics

US Chess Federation and U.S. Chess Trust Announce 2026 Scholar-Chessplayer Award Recipients

October 10, 2023 – The US Chess Federation (US Chess) and the U.S. Chess Trust (USCT) are thrilled to unveil the six distinguished recipients of the 2026 Scholar-Chessplayer Awards. This prestigious recognition highlights the exceptional achievements of high school juniors and seniors who not only excel in academics but also promote the positive image of chess within their communities.

This year, the awards include a special category introduced in 2022: the Scholastic Chess Ambassador. This award acknowledges lower-rated yet deserving chess scholars, ensuring that the spirit of chess is accessible to all.

Each of the six recipients will receive a scholarship of $1,500, totaling $9,000 in awards this year. The funding for these awards comes from the U.S. Chess Trust, bolstered by a generous contribution from the National Scholastic Chess Foundation. The USCT envisions a future where every American, from schoolchildren to seniors, has the opportunity to learn and enjoy the myriad benefits of chess.

The 2026 Scholar-Chessplayers are:

• WFM Ananya Ananth (2034), 11th grade, Aldie, Virginia
• WIM Iris Mou (2312), 11th grade, New York, New York
• WGM Zoey Tang (2433), 12th grade, Portland, Oregon
• WIM Avery Yu (2091), 11th grade, Oak Park, California
• IM Erick Zhao (2536), 11th grade, Wexford, Pennsylvania

The 2026 Scholastic Chess Ambassador is:

• Nikhil Murugan (1960), 11th grade, Westfield, Indiana

To qualify for the Scholar-Chessplayer Awards, applicants must be US Chess members who meet specific criteria, including playing at least 25 regular-rated US Chess or FIDE games during the academic year and demonstrating outstanding achievements in both academics and chess. Scholastic Chess Ambassadors are not required to hold high ratings but must have completed at least one year of chess-related community service since starting the ninth grade. Additionally, applicants must submit a 500-word essay detailing how receiving the award will further their education, enhance their chess skills, and enable them to contribute to the chess community.

The US Chess scholastic committee extends its gratitude to the members who dedicated their time to review and evaluate the numerous applications.

Congratulations to all the 2026 Scholar-Chessplayers! Your dedication to chess and academics is an inspiration to many.

For more information on the awards and the organizations involved, please visit US Chess, U.S. Chess Trust, and National Scholastic Chess Foundation.