We’re thrilled to share that the Minnesota State Chess Association is one of 23 US Chess affiliates nationwide to receive a 2026–27 US Chess Women’s Program Grant, funded by the Saint Louis Chess Club. Why it matters: In 2024 and 2025, girls and women made up fewer than 1 in 10 players at MSCA tournaments. This grant helps us change that by giving girls and women a championship of their own and more support at our events. What the grant funds: 🏆 Midwest Regional Women & Girl

The MSCA is now officially recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization!! This prestigious status enables donors to make tax deductible contributions to the MSCA. You can read more about the project particulars and survey the supporting documentation at our new “Donate” page. Congratulations to the MSCA Board on their teamwork to achieve this status. The project was launched in 2025 under the leadership of past MSCA President Mike Benson and concluded in 2026

Thank you to everyone who responded to last month’s chess building survey. When the survey closed on June 22, we had received 111 responses, including dozens of thoughtful narrative comments. Below is a brief summary of the results and our intended next steps. Survey Results / Key Findings Quantitative responses 86.5% of respondents thought the MSCA’s rental of a chess building would be beneficial for our Minnesota chess community. 82% of respondents would be willing to suppo

On April 9th the MSCA published their Electronic Device & Fair Play Policy. This new policy formalizes existing best practices when it comes to key chess rules surrounding electronic devices. All MSCA members and spectators are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this policy which is already in effect and was used for the first time at the Denker-Barber-Rockefeller Playoffs over the weekend. Key aspects of the new policy are; (1) Cell phones and watches need to be tur

The MSCA is wrapping up a successful 2024 which has seen continued growth in participation, revenues, prizes and overall CHESS FUN!! All of the financial results, operational metrics and chess ideas for the future will once again be discussed at the Annual Membership Meeting which takes place at 5:30 PM on February 14th at Bethel University (immediately before the 1st Round of the Minnesota Open). The Agenda for the Annual Membership Meeting will be published by January 14th.

The MSCA Board consists of 7 Directors who serve 2-year terms. The terms are staggered such that each year at our February Annual Membership Meeting we elect either 3 or 4 Directors to serve our chess community. This February there will be three Director roles up for election. Two of these Director roles are "general" roles with an expectation of 4-12 hours of volunteer service per week throughout the year. Some of the skills that have proven to be helpful in these general