🥶🔥 Cold Snap Outside, Chess Fire Inside: 2026 Winter Open Recap!
- Shanti K
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Minnesota's January freeze was no match for the heat generated at Roseville Skating Center this weekend (Jan 17-18)—what an incredible turnout!
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.
Big thanks to Chief TD Jack Bellinger and TD Assistants Suhaas Pothula and Anvith Pothula for directing with patience and ease—everything ran smoothly despite the crowd!
Five rounds of G/90 +30 chess across four sections, with the full $5,300+ prize fund awarded. Here are some crosstable highlights:
Premier Section 🟠
Irene Fei took clear 1st with 4.5—outstanding work, Irene! Four players tied for 2nd with 4 including David Schabert, Alexander Augustine, Ajay Singamsetty, and John Blomer. Impressive rating gains in this section for Katie Lu (+112 to 1866), Ryan Shiroma (+72 to 2035), and Matthew Liu (+106 to 1855).
U1800 Section 🔵
Charlie Doll delivered a perfect sweep for 1st at 5 (+199 to 1599 from 1400—phenomenal!). Jack Huang with 4 secured sole 2nd. A large group tied for 3rd at 3.5, with standout rating leaps from Franklin Briceno (+153 to 1547) and Shree Tujalpuram (+214 to 1215 from 1001—huge jump!). Plenty of exciting progress stories here.
U1400 Section 🟣
It was a tie for 1st/2nd at 4.5 with Benjamin Anderson (+170 to 1384 from 1214) and Isaac Hoehn (+225 to 1355 from 1130)—terrific surges! Tied for 3rd with 4 were Evan Xiong, Lars Lillehei, and Matthew White, with solid progress across the board.
U900 Section 🟢
Jaxon Limpert dominated with a perfect 5 (+265 to 1056 from 791)—truly outstanding! Gavin Berg finished 2nd with 4.5 (+394 to 930 from 536—an epic gain!). Tied for 3rd with 4 were Ed Bourgeois, Risa Dadala (+212 to 784 from 572—well done, Risa!), and Samuel Cole. Rising talents shining bright!
Beyond the Board 🪄
Prizes and rating jumps are great motivators, but the real magic lies in the challenge, the learning, the resilience after tough games, and the friendships built in Minnesota's welcoming chess community. Seeing all ages and levels together is inspiring.
Thank you to all 179 players—and their families, coaches, and supporters—for braving the cold. Your passion made it special.