Author: Dennis Mays

 

2024 Rochester Chess Open at Mayo Civic Center, July 6th-7th

Round Times for all sections (5-round Swiss, USCF membership required).

Time Control: G/60 + 30 second increment per move. Forfeit time is 30 min after round start time.

Saturday

  • 10:00 AM
  • 2:00 PM
  • 6:00 PM

Sunday

  • 10:00 AM
  • 2:00 PM

$5400 Total Projected Prizes Based on 150 Participants.

Open Section (based on 30:

  • $1000 (1st)
  • $600 (2nd)
  • $300 (Top U2100)

U1900 Section (based on 30):

  • $600 (1st)
  • $400 (2nd)
  • $200 (Top U1600)

 U1500 Section (based on 30):

  • $500 (1st)
  • $250 (2nd)
  • $150 (Top U1300)

U1100 Section (based on 30):

  • $400 (1st)
  • $250 (2nd)
  • $150 (Top U800)

U700 Section (based on 30):

  • $250 (1st)
  • $150 (2nd)
  • $100 (Top U500)
  • $100 (Unrated)

This tournament is part of the MSCA’s Summer Grand Prix Series. You can learn more about the $2,500 in prizes and 4 State Championship Playoff Qualification spots available to the winners of the Summer Grand Prix Points competition at https://www.minnesotachess.com/grand-prix.

Players who have never played a US Chess regular-rated tournament will be considered unrated. Players who have rating history but are published as unrated (due to recency of events) will have their up-to-date US Chess rating used for pairings, prizes, and section eligibility. Register Here

Registration and Advance Entry

BY ->6/76/146/216/28Onsite
Premier$75$85$95$105$115
U1900$75$85$95$105$115
U1500$55$65$75$85$95
U1100$55$65$75$85$95
U700$55$65$75$85$95

On-Site Registration: Saturday, July 6 for all sections 8:15 – 9:00 AM. Stipends are available for scholastic players.

Byes: Max two ½ point byes, any rounds, declared before round 3.

Rochester Chess will provide chess sets and clocks.

Advance entries by mail: Send a check made payable to Rochester Chess postmarked by June 24th to Rochester Chess, c/o Dennis Mays, 2022 Ponderosa Drive SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55902. Please include the section you want to play in and any bye requests. If you send an advance entry, please send an email to dennismays101@gmail.com and semmons2848@gmail.com to let us know that a check is coming.

Free entry for Masters if registered by June 20. All Masters, including those whose current rating is <2200, can register by sending an email to Sarah Wahl (semmons2848@gmail.com) with your USCF ID and noting any bye requests.

Lodging: Hilton Garden Inn Rochester MN, 225 South Broadway Rochester, group rate, $129 in a King Deluxe or Double Queen. Parking is $8 per night. Rochester Open Hilton Garden Inn. Additional lodging options can be found at https://www.rochestermnsports.org/events/2024-Chess-Open.html

Directions: Park in the Civic Center ramp, 100 1st Ave SE, Rochester, MN, for free until 1 AM on Saturday and 1 AM on Sunday. Cross the skyway on the second level to enter the civic center. The playing hall is in suites 110 – 113.

Chief TD: Sarah Wahl, Assistant TD: Jackson Wahl

Organizers: Matt Jensen, Paul Kinion, Kevin Gaustad, Steve Lange, and Dennis Mays.

Sponsors: Rochester Chess, Mayo Civic Center, and Experience Minnesota’s Rochester.

Questions?  Contact Dennis Mays: dennismays101@gmail.com or 507-254-6809.

PUZZLE NIGHT TUESDAY, APRIL 23!

Intrigued by problem solving?  Interested in solving puzzles for prizes, and tired of perching over your phone to do so?  Then Puzzle Night is the contest for you.  Players will be tasked to solve 25 White/Black to play and win problems and one composed mate in two.  Prizes will be awarded to the top solvers. To participate register online https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUH__ikTJJAB7YlDdOp3vA5kq7b8R8yYVX6mrDmKfJl-pvWw/viewform?usp=pp_url (preferred) or onsite.  Solving starts at 6:45 PM. Electronic devices are verboten.

FREE CHESS INSTRUCTION PLUS CASUAL CHESS ON TUESDAY APRIL 16, 6 – 8 PM AT THE CLUB.

New or inexperienced chess players are invited to the club to learn from our more experienced club members. I am asking our club regulars (both youth and adults) to help less experienced chess players improve their play.