Thirty-one players aged 50 and up gathered at the Chess Castle of Minnesota in Edina, October 23–25, for the 2026 Minnesota State Senior Championship, five rounds of G/60 +30 in a single Open section. When the last game ended, two players stood at the top with 4½/5: FM Leonard Jeffrey Johnson (2231) and Okechukwu “Okey” Anele Nnej Iwu (2205). Under MSCA policy, both are named 2026 State Senior Co-Champions. 🏆 The two will meet in a playoff in April, under the MSCA tiebreak

Jordan Timm (2241) took clear first with 4/5 and is the 2026 Junior Champion. 🥇 Congratulations, Jordan! Prize winners 🥇 1st ($200): Jordan Timm, 4 🥈 2nd & Top U2000 (shared, $75 each): Will Knight Velin and Kelton Holm, 3½ 🚀 Top U1700 ($50): Abhimanyu Saamaanya, 3 ⭐ Top U1400 ($50): Elliot Grayson Lynch, 2½ 🌱 Top U1000 ($50): Alexander Henry Kasper, 2 A K-8 Championship ran alongside the main event; final standings are posted on US Chess. The juniors shared the castle w

The 133rd Minnesota Open, Minnesota's premier and oldest chess tradition, wrapped up this past weekend (February 20-22, 2026) at the Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park, drawing a strong field of players from across the state and beyond. This historic event, featured a 6-round Swiss system with time control of G/90 +30 seconds increment. It served as a key qualifier, awarding 15 spots to the 2026 Closed State Championship. With $9,000 in prizes paid out, the tournament delive

Minnesota's January freeze was no match for the heat generated at Roseville Skating Center this weekend (Jan 17-18)—what an incredible turnout! Photo credit: Jiten Patel (more on our Facebook page!) We reached 179 players, nearly filling our 180 cap for a vibrant, packed-house event. The hall buzzed with focus during rounds, animated discussions afterward, and the warm community feel that defines chess in our state. US Chess Results 🔥 Prize Winners 💰️ Big thanks to Chie

The 2nd annual Minnesota State Quick Championship was held on October 18 at the Plymouth Community Center. In the end, a familiar name topped the 77 player table: Sammy Narayanan is our new Quick Champ! 🙌 Thank you to TDs Jenny Bourne and Suhaas Pothula for a great job running the show. 🙏 Quick 🔥 US Chess Results 💵 Prize Winners Quick Championship @ PCC Narayanan plays Radermacher in Round 7 (photo by Jiten Patel) October 25-26 saw the State Senior Championship happening

After 6 tournaments, 5 months, and a whole lot of CHESS, the MSCA's 2025 Summer Grand Prix Series concluded this past weekend in Roseville at the Northern Open. IM Sammy Narayanan lapped the field and coasted to the checkered flag with another 5-0 performance. All of us were in his rearview mirror, but 2024 Grand Prix Champion Josiah Jorenby was close enough to claim the 2nd highest cumulative point total and the coveted qualification spot for the premier section of the Mar