Author: Dennis Mays
Free Tuesday Night Blitz, September 2, 2025.
Tuesday Night Blitz at the RCC Meeting on Tuesday, September 2. USCF-Rated Blitz: G/3;+2. 5 Double Rounds (10 games) Swiss starting at 6:45pm. USCF membership is required. If enough players sign up, I’ll split into two sections, one Open/Experienced and one below 1200/Inexperienced. Otherwise one Open Section for all ratings. Please review the blitz rules here: https://www.uschess.org/docs/gov/reports/BlitzRulesChanges.pdf
Entry fee: Free event but you must SIGN UP. Please register before Noon, Tuesday Sept 2 online: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSds8nb0Bca5eUr35biT2DmgFdCbwYFQMEbdNDqoFF3-bjtrdg/viewform
Site: Mayo Clinic Harwick Building, South Cafeteria, 205 3rd Avenue SW, Rochester, MN. Park for free on the street after 5 PM weekdays/all day on weekends or in a nearby parking ramp.
Questions: E-mail: mwmarkland@gmail.com
ROCHESTER CHESS AUGUST 18 – 24,
Tuesday, August 19: Free chess class for children and adults, 5 – 6 PM at the Mayo Clinic Harwick Building. Let us know you will be attending by registering online: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSVWHUNnfJLyPHiL3iYGH-DZM-uiOSulL5zrjfmgbZ7Vkbgg/viewform?usp=pp_url
Tuesday, August 19: Game analysis session. Bring an interesting game to share with the group. Casual chess and kids are welcome! Club doors open at 6:00 PM.
Thursday, August 21: Free casual chess at Novios Cafe, 1 – 3 PM https://www.novioscafe.com/ and Jersey Jo’s, 4 – 6 PM https://www.jerseyjos.com/.
The Summer Slow Swiss concluded on August 12. Thirty two players competed in one of three sections. Charlie Johnson finished in first place with a score of 3-0 in the upper swiss. Johan Myburg finished in first place with 2.5 points in the middle swiss. Newcomer Omar Aly won the bottom swiss with a score of 3-0. All three winners received a 6-month extension to their Rochester Chess Club membership. Congratulations to all for playing competitive OTB chess! USCF has rated the event:
https://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?202508123112.0-16917452
Reminder: There is still time to register for the Free Scholastic K-12 Chess Tournament on Saturday, September 6 (9:30 AM – 3:30 PM) at the Mayo Clinic Harwick Cafeteria. Directed by Matt Markland. Four rounds of Game/30, d5s in a Swiss Style format will be played. Trophies will be awarded to the winners. Participating in the K-12 sections requires a USCF membership (https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess). A separate unrated K-2 section will be held (11:45-3:00). Chess sets and clocks will be provided. Half-point byes are available for schedule conflicts. Online pre-registration is required to reserve your spot in the tournament. Participation will be limited to the first 50 registrants. Complete details are at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdnH1Mjut07-KS8kYIyE-hOVBZNHo5oRXIwjCKaxvbNe1eHbQ/viewform?usp=pp_url.
Seeking Chess Coaches to Volunteer at the Farmers Market on August 16, 9 AM – Noon.
Rochester Chess will host a free chess exhibit at the Farmers Market on the fairgrounds on Saturday, August 16, 9 AM – noon. Children and adults are invited to play chess and receive instruction from our team of experienced chess coaches.
We are asking chess coaches to join Soren and Ansh in helping others improve their chess.