Rochester Chess Club

08/07/2026

ROCHESTER CHESS FREE EVENT AT THE FARMERS MARKET ON AUGUST 8.
Rochester Chess, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, will host a free chess exhibit at the Farmers Market on the fairgrounds on Saturday, August 8, 9 AM – Noon. Children and adults are invited to play chess games and receive instruction from our team of experienced chess coaches led by Coach Kevin. Chess sets will be provided. The market is an opportunity to share your love of chess. You do not know how to play chess? No problem, we will teach you! We will be in the large grassy area near the music. No registration is required. Stop by anytime! I hope to see you there. Questions? Contact Dennis Mays [email protected].

07/26/2026

Hi everyone!

RCC 2026 Late Summer Swiss Standings and tentative pairings for Round 2 are here:

Standings:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L0Vv-ACINuNCCHQZjTIGeX8pD5TpAtXB/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100167000698187160503&rtpof=true&sd=true

Pairings:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mu90h179brM4wRxf936VxLY7zfoDvGLU/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100167000698187160503&rtpof=true&sd=true

Please let me know if need a bye on Tuesday ASAP!

Matt M.

07/24/2026

ROCHESTER CHESS FREE EVENT AT THE FARMERS MARKET ON JULY 25. 9AM until NOON.

Rochester Chess, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, will host a free chess exhibit at the Farmers Market on the fairgrounds on Saturday, July 25, 9 AM – Noon. Children and adults are invited to play chess games and receive instruction from our team of experienced chess coaches. Chess sets will be provided. The market is an opportunity to share your love of chess.

You do not know how to play chess? No problem, we will teach you! We will be in the large grassy area near the music. No registration is required. Stop by anytime! I hope to see you there. Questions? Contact Dennis Mays [email protected]

07/19/2026

An upcoming event for scholastic players:
Wayzata Summer Action
USCF Rated Tournament

Date/Venue: Saturday, August 8th, 2026 at the Saint Barnabas Lutheran Church (15600 Old Rockford Rd, Plymouth, MN 55446)

For USCF Rated Sections (Active USCF Membership Required to play in the Three USCF Rated Sections. If you need to renew, you can do so here or you can email [email protected] for assistance)

Three Sections: K-12 USCF Rated, K-8 USCF Rated, K-5 USCF Rated (Grade is from the 2025-2026 school year)

Check-in: August 8th, 9:15 to 9:45am (Must check in to be paired for Round 1)

Time Control: G/30, d5

Approximate Round Times: 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:15pm and 2:45pm (Lunch Break after Round 2, Awards around 4:30pm)

See this link for more details and registration:

Wayzata Summer Action USCF Rated Tournament Date/Venue: Saturday, August 8th, 2026 at the Saint Barnabas Lutheran Church (15600 Old Rockford Rd, Plymouth, MN 55446) For USCF Rated Sections (Active USCF Membership Required to play in the Three USCF Rated Sections. If you need to renew, you can do

07/19/2026

Reminder to sign up for the Rochester Chess Club's Late Summer Swiss.
G60;+30, one game per week July 12, July 28, Aug 4.
Sections/format may change based on number of entrants (could become quads for example).
TD: Matt Markland (who is playing also)
Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJ7Xd339ObvGjBDB89P_bUv6qGDWqPMp69xrm30qjvWJ3q1A/viewform

Registration locks at Noon on Tuesday, July 12.

Three rounds of Game/60+30s increment in a Swiss format will be played beginning on Tuesday, July 21 through Tuesday, August 4. One game per week. Membership in USCF is required (https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess). Games start at 6:30 PM. Half-point byes are available for schedule conflicts. TD....

07/19/2026

Final Results from the Rochester Chess Festival.... 😀

Friday night, the event kicked off with a tandem simultaneous exhibition by two MN international chess masters, John Bartholomew and Sean Nagle. They played 32 opponents, winning 31 games and drawing against Nathan Dohman. Nathan appears to be a thorn in their side as he won in the 2025 exhibition.

Here is a YouTube video from the Simul: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_hv1ror9mI&authuser=0

A total of 201 chess players participated in the Rochester Open (180) and the Midwest Women and Girls Chess Championship (21). $8,250 in prizes were awarded to the winners. Thanks to the Minnesota State Chess Association for co-sponsoring the event.

The final standings for the Rochester Open and the Women and Girls Championships are here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_dQ1SALi5qxkgbQLBdGOFCreIagKMTq0/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100167000698187160503&rtpof=true&sd=true

Here is some publicity from the event: https://www.newsbreak.com/kttc-1982256/4765273191131-chess-festival

I played in a simul against IM John Bartholomew (...

07/17/2026

Reminder: Register for the Late Summer Swiss. Details here:

Three rounds of Game/60+30s increment in a Swiss format will be played beginning on Tuesday, July 21 through Tuesday, August 4. One game per week. Membership in USCF is required (https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess). Games start at 6:30 PM. Half-point byes are available for schedule conflicts. TD....

07/15/2026

Reminder to register for the July Rapid event. Registration form is here:

4 rounds of G/15+10 in a Swiss Style format will be played. No elimination. Participating in this tournament requires a USCF membership and a $10 entry fee.(https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess). Chess sets and clocks will be provided. Half-point byes are available for schedule conflicts. Contact E...

07/15/2026

Just opened: Late Summer Slow Swiss event.

One game per week, Tuesdays, July 14 through August 4. USCF rated G60;+30.

Registration link is here:

Three rounds of Game/60+30s increment in a Swiss format will be played beginning on Tuesday, July 21 through Tuesday, August 4. One game per week. Membership in USCF is required (https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess). Games start at 6:30 PM. Half-point byes are available for schedule conflicts. TD....

07/14/2026

Tuesday 7/14 Club Meeting at Harwick Cafeteria. Go over your big wins and tough losses from the Rochester Open, and casual chess for all.