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🎩 Class Championships

The Class Champs returns to Rochester! 🌺

(Note: new venue, still downtown...)

💃🕺

🗓️ November 15-16, 2025

$3,000 Projected Prizes 💰️

Mayo Clinic Harwick Building, South Cafeteria

201 3rd Avenue SW, Rochester, MN (map)

Compete with your peers! The Class Champs is a unique event that closely groups players by rating.

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🏆️ Three playoff spots for the 2026 Closed State Championship Playoffs are on the line!

🏅 Master/Expert Winner

🏅 Top U2200 in M/X

🏅 Class A Winner

Organized by the MSCA and Rochester Chess

🟣 Use Harwick 3rd Avenue entrance. Self-serve cafeteria is open for the entire event. 🍴

🟣 Parking is free on the streets and in public parking garages on the weekends.

🎫 🎫  Two memberships are required to play in this event, MSCA & US Chess:

🔎 Check your MSCA status and Join 🙌  (supports Minnesota chess operations)

🎟️ Join US Chess (aka USCF, required for ratings; see note below...)

Details 📌

🟫♟️⏰ Rochester Chess will provide chess sets and clocks 🙏

4 Round Swiss

US Chess rated

Sections

Up to 9! See classes below...

⌛️ Time Control

G/90 +30s

Byes

max two ½ pt byes, any rounds, declared before round 3

Rounds ⚪️

Saturday 10am • 3pm 🕙️

Sunday 10am • 3pm 🕙️

⏱️ Forfeit time is 30 minutes after round start time

🎬️ Tournament Director:

Sarah Wahl

Entry Fees 🎫

by ➡️ 

Master/Ex.

All Others

☀️

10/10

$70

$60

🌤️

10/24

$80

$70

 🌥️

11/14

$90

$80

Onsite

$100

$90

🖊️ Register online by Fri 11/14 7pm 🕖️ 

🖊️ Register onsite Sat 11/15 by 9:30am 🕥️ 

💃 Register Online 🕺

💵 Cash/check only onsite! 💵

📬️ Mail-in entries, received by Tues 11/11:

include: (1) event (2) player (3) section (4) byes (5) check!

Minnesota State Chess Association
PO Box 124
Wayzata  MN  55391

Classes & Projected Prizes 💵

Master/Expert 🌶️

2000+

Class A 🍊

1800-1999

Class B 🫐

1600-1799

Class C 🌮

1400-1599

Class D 🍇

1200-1399

Master/Expert 🥇🥈

1st $300

2nd $150

Class A & B 🥇🥈

1st $250

2nd $125

Class E 🍋

1000-1199

Class F 🍪

800-999

Class G 🍒

600-799

Class H-J & Unrated 🍏

U-599

All Other Sections 🥇🥈

1st $200

2nd $100

🏆️ Master/Expert, Top U2200 in M/X, and Class A winners qualify for 2026 State Playoffs.

🏆️ Playoff using MSCA tiebreaker rules will be held if necessary. 🎲

🏆️ Prizes based on 10 players in each section. There will be an unrated prize TBD based on number of entrants.

🏆️ Sections may be changed, combined, or separated if some sections are too small or too large; prizes will be kept proportional.

🏆️ Players MUST play in the appropriate section for their rating.

🏆️ If your updated rating is above the next section's bottom limit within 2 weeks of the tournament, you may request to be moved to a higher section.

🏆️ You will be moved by the TD if in the wrong section.

📧 Questions? Contact Chief TD Sarah Wahl at semmons2848@gmail.com

Additional Details

🏞️ The MSCA strives to have all of our facilities and events available to as many community members as possible. We will attempt to accommodate access requests to the best of our abilities. Please let us know how we can help improve your chess experience!

⚖️ The MSCA Electronic Device and Fair Play Policy will be enforced for players and spectators at this tournament.

🧮 Please see the MSCA Unrated Policy to learn how rating may be determined from US Chess live/online or FIDE ratings.

🚨 Published unrated players who possess FIDE ratings MUST disclose their FIDE rating. See the MSCA Unrated Policy.

🛡️ The MSCA recognizes the importance of a safe and hospitable environment at our chess events.  To promote this type of environment, the MSCA has developed a Policy on Safe Play & Conduct.  The MSCA also follows US Chess guidelines for training TDs with materials developed by the US Center for SafeSport.  To support a safe and hospitable environment, the MSCA reminds all chess participants and attendees that they are responsible for their actions, and that parents/guardians of minors are responsible at all times for the welfare and safety of their children/dependents.

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🎟️ You can pay for a new US Chess membership or renewal during registration, but note that this payment won't be applied until event time. It may be best to sign up directly with US Chess today. There are options for new members (get a new USCF ID and pay) and for existing members (already have an ID) to create a website login. If you already have a login/ID, you can use it to pay for a renewal.

🔎 Don't forget your Minnesota Chess membership! Check MSCA status and join. 🙌

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2023 Class Championships 🎩  Prize Winners 💵  News 📰  US Chess Results 🔥

2024 Class Championships 🎩  Prize Winners 💵  News 📰  US Chess Results 🔥

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