Category: Chess Tournaments

Posted by: Dennis Mays | on July 30, 2023

Twin Cities Chess League (TCCL), 2023 – 2024 Season Starts in September!

TCCL is the MSCA’s premier fun chess event focused on the team and social aspects of our chess community‼️ It has been part of the Minnesota chess community each year for the last 7 decades. 💫

This year, teams of 4 players will compete on Friday nights in one of two divisions. Teams will be placed in the upper Gold Division based on their results in the 2022-2023 season and team rating. The top 6 teams from last year will be automatically seeded in the Gold Division. The Open Division is for all other teams. Visit the MSCA website for all of the details: https://www.minnesotachess.com/tccl

In previous years, Rochester Chess has fielded up to 3 teams (one in each of 3 divisions at that time). Last year the Rochester Knights (team members Paul Novotny (captain), Jake Kohlenberg, Larry Jasperson, Paul Kinion, Roy Knuth, and Jai Knuth) started off strong winning 3 out of their first 4 matches, which put them tied for 3rd place. The Knights eventually finished in 12th place out of 21 teams. Paul Kinion was the second medalist on board 3.

This year, Rochester Chess will sponsor up to 3 TCCL teams. Entry fee is $160 per team. The schedules are below:

🟣 Open Division (Swiss)

R1: Sep 29, 2023
R2: Oct 20
R3: Nov 17
R4: Dec 8
R5: Jan 19, 2024
R6: Feb 16
R7: Mar 15

🟡 Gold Division (Round Robin)

R1: Sep 22, 2023
R2: Oct 6
R3: Nov 3
R4: Dec 1
R5: Jan 12, 2024
R6: Feb 9
R7: Mar 1

Please answer this question: If you are you interested in playing on a team in the TCCL, can you play as a regular (competing in 5 of 7 matches or as a sub as needed)?

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Tags: event, information, tournament

Posted by: Dennis Mays | on July 27, 2023

ChessGoals Weekend! Cash Prizes and Free Entry! September 22-23. Mayo Clinic Harwick cafeteria.

Save the date for ChessGoals Weekend! Cash Prizes and Free to Play! September 22-23. Harwick cafeteria.

Friday Night: Odds Chess Blitz: Starts at 7 PM – 6 rounds of 3+2 with $40 to first and $20 to second! Playoffs used to split ties. For ratings – Use chess.com blitz first option, Lichess.org blitz minus 200 as second option, USCF as third option.
Saturday: USCF regular and quick-rated Mini Swiss event. G/30 d5, sections of 4 by rating. Rounds are at 10 and 11:30. $40 and a free ChessGoals course to winners of each section.

Register here to reserve your place in the tournament: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFufFcdxNPyur-LkesFqc_SaLHBiJP7gzZoEOpT-SQgYNggw/viewform?usp=pp_url

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Tags: event, information, meetings, tournament

Posted by: Dennis Mays | on July 11, 2023

2023 ROCHESTER OPEN NEWS AND RESULTS

The second annual two-day Rochester Open was held in the Mayo Civic Center on July 8 and 9.

The strong turnout of 154 participants ranks the tournament as the largest ever held in Minnesota outside the Twin Cities as far as I am aware. The field was divided into 4 sections with National Master Andrew Titus finishing first in the Open Section again this year. A total of $5,075 were awarded to the top finishers.

Many local players won prizes. The complete results can be found here: https://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?202307094942-12545205

Partnership with the Minnesota Chess Association and the efficient directing of the tournament by Sarah Emmons and Jackson Wahl contributed to the success of the tournament. The tournament was sponsored by Mayo Civic Center, Experience Rochester Minnesota, and Rochester Chess. We thank Mayor Kim Norton for making the ceremonial first move on board one.

Local TV and Newspaper coverage: