Kids of all ages and chess playing ability are invited to the club on Tuesday, February 18. The idea is for kids to play kids and to receive instruction from our more experienced club members. The club opens at 6:30 PM at the Superior Drive Support Center.

A for-fun Odds-Blitz tournament will be held on Friday, February 21 at the Superior Drive Support Center. The format will be 

Round 1 starts at 6:30 PM. Players can join late or leave early
One large swiss section
Time control is 3+2 (3 minutes per side plus 2 second increment)
Not touch move, letting go of a piece locks in the move. Illegal move loses.
Ending after 8 rounds or at 8:30 PM, whichever comes first
Ratings based on first two numbers of USCF, for example 1550 counts as 1500.
For every 100 points between the ratings of the two players, 1 point of chess material given up (pawn = 1, knight/bishop = 3, rook = 5, queen = 9).
Lower player picks which material higher player must take off the board to start

I played in an odd blitz tournament a couple of years ago. It was great fun but it did feel strange to start a chess game with no pawns in front of my king!

The club is now meeting in the Mayo Clinic Superior Support Center South Cafeteria, 3050 Superior Dr. NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Park in the employee lot. Enter the building through the southeast employee entrance. Press the red intercom button and tell Mayo security you are there for chess. Follow the signs to the south cafeteria. . Call/text me at 507-254-6809 if you have questions.

Online registration for the Rochester Amateur at RCTC on Feb 22, 9 AM – 5 PM, has been closed. Due to recent withdrawals, there is still room. Send me an email if you want to register. We need volunteers for this tournament to help with onsite check-in, monitor the novice section (40 participants) and help teach notation. Please let me know if you can assist.