College chess teams can start preparing for an international competition without leaving campus. The sixth annual Kasparov Chess Foundation University Cup takes place online February 6–7, 2027, and registration is now open.

With no entry fee, the tournament offers students an opportunity to represent their institutions, compete against other collegiate teams, and play for a memorable prize: an online training session with Garry Kasparov.

Nine Rounds of Team Competition

The University Cup will feature nine rounds on Lichess, with four players competing in each team match. Each player receives 10 minutes plus a two-second increment per move, making preparation, practical decisions, and time management important throughout the weekend.

Five rounds are scheduled for Saturday and four for Sunday, with play beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time each day.

All teams compete in a single section. A maximum team average rating of 2400, together with awards across several rating categories, creates opportunities for a range of collegiate players.

A Chance to Train With Garry Kasparov

The overall winning team will receive the KCF University Cup and an online training session with the former World Champion. The highest-finishing team in the 2000–2199 rating category will also earn a Kasparov training session.

Additional awards recognize the top three teams overall, rating-category winners, and leading teams from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. A Mixed Doubles award recognizes a team represented by exactly two male and two female players on each day.

These awards give teams several goals to pursue throughout the competition, even when the overall championship is beyond reach.

Who Can Participate?

The event welcomes eligible students from universities, colleges, community colleges, and other postsecondary institutions, subject to the published regulations. Players must be enrolled in at least one class in the January 2027 semester.

Teams consist of four players and one optional alternate. Registration requires an official institutional email address and documentation confirming each player’s active student status.

Players need a free Lichess account and must join the tournament’s Zoom meeting with their cameras enabled during play. Captains should review the eligibility, team-entry, rating, and fair-play requirements before registering.

Start Building Your Team

For campus chess clubs, the University Cup provides a shared goal for practices, team selection, and preparation. Its online format removes the need to travel, while the team competition gives students a chance to represent their school on an international stage.

Registration and eligibility submissions close Friday, February 5, 2027, at 10 a.m. EST.

Gather your teammates, appoint a captain, and begin preparing for the opening round.

Visit the official KCF University Cup website for registration, schedules, and complete regulations.