All Scholar-Chessplayer Awards are funded through the U.S. Chess Trust

By JJ Lang |  March 29, 2026

The US Chess Federation (US Chess) and the U.S. Chess Trust (USCT), both independent 501(c)(3) organizations, are pleased to announce six recipients of the 2026 Scholar-Chessplayer Awards. This includes the winner of the new category introduced in 2022, Scholastic Chess Ambassador, which acknowledges lower-rated but deserving chess scholars.

The Scholar-Chessplayer Awards recognize and encourage outstanding high school juniors and seniors who promote a positive image of chess while excelling in academics and leadership. A total of $9,000 in scholarship money is being awarded this year. Each recipient will receive $1,500.

All Scholar-Chessplayer Awards are funded through the U.S. Chess Trust, with a significant contribution from the National Scholastic Chess Foundation. The USCT’s vision is that one day every American, from schoolkid to senior citizen, will have the opportunity to learn chess and enjoy its many mental and social benefits.

We extend our thanks to the US Chess scholastic committee members who reviewed and evaluated all the applications.

2026 Scholar-Chessplayers

• 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

2026 Ambassador

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

To qualify, applicants must be US Chess members who satisfy these requirements:

1. Play at least 25 regular-rated US Chess or FIDE games during the current academic year;
2. Show outstanding achievement in academics and chess (Scholastic Chess Ambassadors are not required to be highly rated);
3. Have completed at least one year of chess-related community service since starting the ninth grade;
4. Describe in an essay of 500 words how being selected as a 2026 Scholar-Chessplayer will enable the recipient to further their education, improve their chess, and allow them to continue contributing to the chess community.

Congratulations to all the 2026 Scholar-Chessplayers!

For more information, please visit www.uschess.org, www.uschesstrust.org, and www.nscfchess.org. The US Chess Trust is a separate 501(c)(3) organization operating independently of US Chess.