🌤️ St. Cloud Open once again kicks off the Summer Grand Prix 🏁

It's a new tradition! The third annual St. Cloud Open started off the third MSCA Grand Prix series this past weekend at the River's Edge Convention Center, with nearly 100 players in attendance.

Paul Habstritt of AM 1240 WJON has some great photos in their news story.

Thanks to TD Jack Bellinger for another smoothly run event, and welcome to new TD Theodore Su. 🙌

State Champion Samrug Narayanan and regular Grand Prix contender Andrew Titus tied for first place in the premier section at 4.5 points, gaining 185 GP points. Sammy won the event last year, while Andrew has moved up after 2nd place finishes the past two years. 📈

Prize Winners 💵 US Chess Results 🔥

Grand Prix Scoreboard 🧮

In U1900, it was Joshini Sudhakar in clear first with 4.5 points and 152 GP points. Yusuf Khan topped U1400, and in U900 Spencer Hanson took home the gold. Figuratively. 🥇

Several players saw large established rating gains, led by Michael Gomelsky (+251! tied for 2nd in U1400), Nic Coddington-Walsh (+176, tied for 2nd in U900), and Richard Liu, +159.

Surya Chennakesavula shared a miniature, included below, where he played the Evans Gambit and converted early opportunities with frightful efficiency. Here's a link to view the game in the lichess analysis board. Thanks, Surya. GG!

🙏 Thanks for coming out, everyone, and we'll see you at the next stop in Mankato, June 21-22! (After seeing you at the State Blitz on June 7, of course.)

Surya - Senthilvel, St. Cloud 18 May 2025

[Event "MSCA St. Cloud Open"]

[Site "River's Edge Convention Center"]

[Date "2025.05.18"]

[Round "4"]

[White "Surya Chennakesavula"]

[Black "Arun Senthilvel"]

[Result "1-0"]

[WhiteElo "1273"]

[BlackElo "1307"]

[TimeControl "5400|d10"]

[Termination "Resignation"]

[ECO "C52"]

[Opening "Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Pierce Defense"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7. O-O Bxc3 8. Nxc3 dxc3 9. Qb3 Qe7 10. Ba3 d6 11. e5 Kf8 12. exd6 cxd6 13. Rad1 Na5 14. Rxd6 Be6 15. Rfd1 Nf6 16. Rd8+ Rxd8 17. Rxd8+ Ne8 18. Qb5 Nc6 19. Bxe7+ Kxe7 20. Qxb7+ Kxd8 21. Qxc6 1-0