The inaugural ChessKid National Festival is only a week away, and some of the chess world’s most famous names are getting ready to descend on Charlotte, North Carolina to join the festivities.

Tickets for the ChessKid National Festival are still available (but selling out fast). If there’s a ChessKid in your family, don’t miss the opportunity to give them what’s guaranteed to be one of their most memorable chess experiences ever.

Confirmed attendees include WFM Alexandra and Andrea Botez, IM Levy Rozman (GothamChess), WGM Jen Shahade, FM James Canty III, IM Danny Rensch, FM Mike Klein, and GM Daniel Naroditsky! Other prominent chess names will also be in attendance to enjoy the event.

While headliner VIP GothamChess’s attendance was already well-known, the Botez sisters are a recent addition to the festival’s star-studded line-up. Alexandra Botez has previously worked with ChessKid and provided lessons for kids on the platform. Speaking to ChessKid’s Mike Klein, she confirmed: “We’ll be there, and I can’t wait to see you all.”

Focusing on activities for kids in the eighth grade and below, the ChessKid National Festival spans three days of action-packed events including a chess ‘puzzle bee,’ a hula chess challenge, and the world premiere of fencing chess.

There will also be more standard chess festival fare: blitz competitions, puzzle challenges, a Bughouse contest, and a main tournament for K-8 players featuring multiple prize categories.

VIP experiences include a simul match against titled players, warm-up sessions for kids, and a workshop for parents with GothamChess, and the chance to prepare for the tournament with legendary GM Judit Polgar during an online session on February 11.

See you in Charlotte!