Chess for Every Mind, Every Age

Rochester Chess Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit bringing free and low-cost chess instruction, casual play, and USCF-rated tournaments to our community since 2008.

See This Week's Events Support Our Mission

Every Tuesday

Casual play night, all skill levels welcome

USCF Rated

Monthly tournaments with official ratings

100% Non-Profit

Free to all in the chess community

Club News & Updates

Announcements

Wayzata Summer Action USCF Rated Scholastic Tournament

Link to details: https://sites.google.com/view/wayzata-chess-action/tournaments/wayzata-summer-action Date/Venue: Saturday, August 8th, 2026 at the Saint Barnabas Lutheran Church (15600 Old Rockford Rd, Plymouth, MN 55446) For USCF Rated Sections (Active USCF Membership Required to play in the Three USCF Rated Sections. If you need to renew, you can do so here or you can email imandrew6@gmail.com for assistance) Three Sections: K-12 USCF Rated, K-8 USCF Rated, K-5 USCF Rated (Grade is from the 2025-2026 school year) Check-in: August 8th, 9:15 to 9:45am (Must check in to be paired for Round 1) Time Control: G/30, d5 Approximate Round Times: 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:15pm and 2:45pm (Lunch Break after Round 2, Awards around 4:30pm) Register Online via Google Forms Note: If you don't register via Google Forms / Provide Payment by Aug 7th, you may not be paired for the first round.

July 19, 2026

Tournament

Reminder: Register for Late Summer Swiss

Reminder to sign up for the Rochester Chess Club's Late Summer Swiss. G60;+30, one game per week July 12, July 28, Aug 4. Sections/format may change based on number of entrants (could become quads for example). TD: Matt Markland (who is playing also) Register here: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdJ7Xd339ObvG.../viewform Registration locks at Noon on Tuesday, July 12.

July 19, 2026

News

Final Results from the Rochester Chess Festival 2026

Final Results from the Rochester Chess Festival.... 😀 Friday night, the event kicked off with a tandem simultaneous exhibition by two MN international chess masters, John Bartholomew and Sean Nagle. They played 32 opponents, winning 31 games and drawing against Nathan Dohman. Nathan appears to be a thorn in their side as he won in the 2025 exhibition. Here is a YouTube video from the Simul: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_hv1ror9mI&authuser=0 A total of 201 chess players participated in the Rochester Open (180) and the Midwest Women and Girls Chess Championship (21). $8,250 in prizes were awarded to the winners. Thanks to the Minnesota State Chess Association for co-sponsoring the event. The final standings for the Rochester Open and the Women and Girls Championships are here: https://docs.google.com/.../1_dQ1SALi5qxkgbQLBdGO.../edit... Here is some publicity from the event: https://www.newsbreak.com/.../4765273191131-chess-festival

July 19, 2026

Tournament

Late Summer Slow Swiss

Three rounds of Game/60+30s increment in a Swiss format will be played beginning on Tuesday, July 21 through Tuesday, August 4. One game per week. Membership in USCF is required (https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess). Games start at 6:30 PM. Half-point byes are available for schedule conflicts. TD will be playing. Sections determined by number of entries. TD: Matt Markland, mwmarkland@gmail.com Site: Mayo Clinic Harwick Cafeteria, 205 Third Ave. SW, Rochester, MN. Reserve your spot by registering online. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJ7Xd339ObvGjBDB89P_bUv6qGDWqPMp69xrm30qjvWJ3q1A/viewform?usp=publish-editor

July 14, 2026

Community

Post Festival Analysis - July 14

Join National Master Matt Jensen and others in analyzing games from the recent Rochester Chess Festival. Bring your favorite game to share with others. 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Mayo Harwick Cafeteria.

Matt Jensen will be moderating a game analysis session on July 14, in which individuals share their favorite games.

June 18, 2026

Community

Coach Lucas' Bootcamp - continued...

Join Coach Lucas for the continuation of his free chess bootcamp from 5:00pm to 6:00pm in the Mayo Harwick Cafeteria after the Rochester Chess Festival on Tuesday, July 14th. Coach Lucas will be reviewing opening principles, middlegame strategy, endgame technique, and tactical calculation for all who attend.

Anyone looking to hone their skills or simply learn more about the game is welcome to attend! No registration required - after the lesson, there will be time to play casual games during the usual (6-9pm) Rochester Chess Club hours. We hope to see you there!

July 14, 2026

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