Chess Tournaments in Minnesota: Where to find the best ones
- Sebastian Artigas
- Mar 30, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 3
The chess community in Minnesota has undergone a period of significant evolution since early 2024, solidifying its status as a vibrant and increasingly professionalized scene. For both seasoned players and newcomers to the game, navigating this dynamic landscape requires up-to-date information. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the major chess clubs, associations, and tournaments in the North Star State, with all information verified and updated as of September 2025. This report aims to be the essential resource for anyone looking to find a game, from casual blitz to high-stakes, US Chess Federation (USCF)-rated championships.
For decades, the Chess Castle of Minnesota has been the state’s largest and most active venue for competitive play, and it continues to be the cornerstone of the Minnesota chess scene. A pivotal change since 2024 is the club’s relocation to a new, more prominent venue at Southdale Mall in Edina, a strategic move that has placed it at the center of the Twin Cities metro area. This relocation is a critical step in the club's professional growth, providing a more accessible and public-facing home for the community. The club remains open four nights a week (Monday through Thursday) and most weekends, offering a rich variety of events for all levels of play.
Monday Action Quads: Quads, Game in 30 with a 5 seconds delay (G/30;d5), 3 rounds, players grouped by rating.
Tuesday Fire & Ice: A two-part event. First, a Slow Burn; Open Swiss, G/60 + 5 second increment, each Tuesday for a month.
Wednesday Casual Night, Game Review & Unrated Blitz: Perfect for new players or returning members to learn about the club, play some friendly games, or join the US Chess Federation.
Weekend Tournaments: The club organizes various weekend tournaments throughout the year, such as the Chess Castle Championship, the Hall of Fame Classic, the Northern Open, the Franklin Catfish Days, the Rochester Open, the Lake Superior Open, and more. These events usually have multiple sections, longer time controls, and higher prizes.
A notable addition to the weekly lineup is the Thursday Knighter OPEN/PREMIER. This is a month-long Swiss event that is a direct response to the community's desire for more high-level, consistent tournament play. The event features two sections, including a PREMIER section tailored for players with a rating of 1700 or higher, with incentives to attract top-tier talent. This dual-section structure allows the club to cater to a broader range of players while also fostering an environment where strong players can consistently compete against one another. This focus on attracting higher-rated players aligns with the club's new central location and its growing reputation as a serious training ground for aspiring masters.
You can check the club’s website for the latest updates and details.
Minnesota State Chess Association (MSCA) is the official state affiliate of the US Chess Federation. It promotes scholastic chess, chess education, and competitive chess through USCF rated tournaments. The MSCA organizes some of the most prestigious and popular chess tournaments in Minnesota, such as:
Minnesota Open: The state’s flagship event, held annually in February. It is a 6-round Swiss, G/90 +30s, with two and three day schedules.The event also features a Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sunday. MSCA membership is required to play in this event.
State Scholastic Championship: The state’s scholastic championship, held annually in March. It is open to students from kindergarten to 12th grade, and it has four sections: High School K-12, Middle School K-8, Elementary K-5, and Primary K-3.
State Championship Playoffs: The state’s closed championship, held annually in March or April. It is a round-robin event, with four players who qualify from the Minnesota Open, the Summer Grand Prix Series, the Class Championships, and the State Senior Championship.
Summer Grand Prix Series: A series of six events, held from May to September. The events are the St. Cloud Open, the Minnesota Blitz Championship, the Lake Superior Open, the Rochester Open, the Franklin Catfish Days, and the Northern Open.
The most significant new addition to the state's competitive calendar is the Golden Gopher Open, a major new tournament held from September 12-14, 2025. This event represents a formal and high-level collaboration between the MSCA and the University of Minnesota Chess Club, bringing together the state's official body with a major academic institution. The tournament was held at Coffman Union on the U of M campus with a projected prize fund of $5,000, the event offered sections for players of all levels, including an Open section, an Under 1800 section, an U1400 section, and a Saturday-only U1000 section. The tiered entry fees encourage early registration, with onsite payments limited to PayPal or Venmo, demonstrating a modern approach to tournament management. The tournament also offered free entry to U of M students and faculty, a key initiative to attract and nurture collegiate chess talent.
The Golden Gopher Open's schedule provided flexibility with both 3-day and 2-day options for the higher-rated sections, as well as a focused, one-day event for the U1000 section. The time controls were set at a classical G/90+30 for most rounds, with the U1000 section at G/45+5. The professional structure and substantial prize fund of this event indicate a growing trend in Minnesota to host high-quality, high-stakes tournaments that can attract players from across the region.
You can check the MSCA’s website for the latest updates and details.
School Chess Association
Scholastic chess in Minnesota is a thriving ecosystem, largely due to the foundational efforts of the School Chess Association (SCA). The SCA is the largest scholastic chess group in the state and has a primary focus on unrated play to introduce new students to the game in a low-pressure environment. The organization has also expanded its offerings to include rated tournaments for older students and adults. As of September 2025, specific dates for SCA tournaments are not publicly available, but the organization continues to be a cornerstone of youth chess development.
The broader scholastic community has also seen the rise of new, specialized clubs and educational partnerships. For example, the Nicollet Knights Chess Club, a non-profit, serves as the chess team for Nicollet Middle School in Burnsville. This type of specialized, school-based organization is increasingly common. The Nicollet Knights also partnered with the MSCA to produce the 2025 Minnesota Senior Chess Championship, a significant collaboration that highlights the integration of scholastic groups into the state's wider tournament landscape. For more information, visit the SCA website.
Rochester Chess Tournaments
Rochester Chess, an educational non-profit organization, has cemented its status as a vital chess hub in southern Minnesota. The organization's mission is to provide a safe and inclusive environment for players of all ages and to improve academic performance through chess instruction. The group's weekly club meeting has been change in schedule and venue. The meetings now take place on most Tuesday evenings at the Mayo Clinic Harwick Building, specifically in the South Cafeteria.
Rochester Chess continues to host both weekly and larger, state-wide tournaments. The city was selected as the host for the return of the Minnesota Chess Class Championships, a key state tournament held from November 15-16, 2025. This is a significant development, as the event serves as a major qualifier for the State Championship Playoffs. The organization also hosted a 2025 Fall Slow Swiss, a multi-round, weekly tournament with a G/60+30 increment time control. This ability to attract and host a major state-level tournament solidifies Rochester's position as a crucial geographic hub, providing players outside of the immediate Twin Cities metro area with access to high-quality, organized competition.
Rochester Chess tournaments are a great way to enjoy chess, improve your skills, and meet other chess enthusiasts in the area. Whether you are a beginner or a master, you will find a tournament that suits your level and interest. You can visit their website or contact the Rochester Chess Center.
Other Chess Clubs and Institutions
Beyond the major organizations, Minnesota's chess scene is enriched by a variety of clubs and groups that cater to different audiences. The University of Minnesota Chess Club is a vibrant student-run organization that welcomes players of all skill levels. As of 2025, the club has elevated its status from a casual group to a major tournament organizer, a point underscored by its successful hosting of the inaugural Golden Gopher Open in September. This partnership with the MSCA for a large-scale, prize-money event is a testament to the club's growing role in the state's chess scene.
At the same time, new or growing communities are establishing themselves. The Twin Cities Metro Chess Club has emerged as a social club that meets in coffee shops and parks, focusing on casual, unrated games for players over 21. This club provides a valuable social outlet for players who may not be interested in the formalities of rated tournaments. In a similar vein, the St. Croix Valley Chess Club has expanded its offerings, adding a new Saturday meeting in addition to its bi-monthly Tuesday sessions at the Stillwater Public Library. This growth demonstrates the vitality of chess in communities outside of the immediate urban centers. Players in the far northern region of the state also have a major event to look forward to: the annual Twin Ports Open in Superior, Wisconsin, which remains a favorite on the regional chess calendar.
Conclusion
There are many chess clubs and institutions that offer regular chess tournaments for players of all levels. Whether you are looking for a casual game, a rated event, or a state championship, you will find something that suits your needs and preferences. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your chess set, check the calendar, and join the fun!
Talking about the right places. Are you looking for the right place to improve your skills? Book a 1-hour trial with one of our master-titled coaches
We'd love to hear your ideas on how to make this better! Share them with us and we'll update this post ASAP! And remember to subscribe to our Newsletter so that you will get all of our awesome online monthly tournaments!