Are you a chess lover looking for some exciting tournaments to participate in or watch in Oklahoma? If so, this guide is for you. In this guide, we will introduce you to some of the best chess clubs and institutions in Oklahoma that offer regular chess tournaments for players of all levels. Whether you are a beginner or a master, you will find something that suits your interest and skill level. Let’s get started!
The Oklahoma Chess Association (OCA) is the official state affiliate of the United States Chess Federation (USCF). The OCA organizes and supports chess activities in Oklahoma, such as tournaments, clubs, scholastic programs, and publications. The OCA also maintains the official state rating list and publishes the Oklahoma Chess Magazine, a quarterly online publication that features news, articles, games, and puzzles from Oklahoma chess players and events.
Some of the tournaments that the OCA hosts or sponsors are:
Oklahoma City Open: This is the premier annual chess event in Oklahoma, featuring a four-section Swiss system tournament. The tournament is open to players of all ratings and ages, and attracts some of the strongest players in the region. The next Oklahoma City Open will be held on March 22-24, 2024 at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.
Jerry Spann Memorial & Oklahoma Open State Championship: This is the official state championship tournament. The tournament is a five-round Swiss system event with two sections: Open and Reserve (U1800). The next Jerry Spann Memorial & Oklahoma Open State Championship will be held on June 1 & 2, 2024 at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.
Rozsa Trophy: This is an invitational round robin tournament for Oklahoma’s top six players, based on the state rating list. The tournament features a classical time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment per move, and is broadcast live online with commentary. The winner of the tournament receives the Rozsa Trophy, a beautiful crystal chess set. The last Rozsa Trophy was held on January 26-28, 2024 in Tulsa, and was won by FM Ryan Amburgy.
Oklahoma Scholastic State Championships: This is the largest and most prestigious scholastic chess tournament in Oklahoma, where the winners of each grade level earn the title of Oklahoma Scholastic State Champion. The tournament is a five-round Swiss system event with 13 sections: K-1, K-3, K-5, K-6, K-8, K-9, K-12, and six rating sections. The next Oklahoma Scholastic State Championships will be held on April 13, 2024 at Edmond North High School in Edmond.
Other tournaments: The OCA also hosts or sponsors various other tournaments throughout the year, such as the Red River Shootout, the Western Oklahoma Rt. 66 Classic, the Chaturanga IAOK Open, and the Oklahoma Blitz Championship.
For more information, visit their website.
OCF Chess is a chess club and academy based in Oklahoma City, USA. It offers chess lessons, camps, and coaching for players of all ages and skill levels. It also organizes various chess tournaments throughout the year, both online and over-the-board. Some of the chess tournaments that OCF Chess regularly hosts are:
Outlaw’s Quick Draw: A monthly online blitz tournament with a time control of 5 minutes plus 2 seconds increment per move. It is open to all US Chess Federation members and has a $10 entry fee. The tournament is usually held on the first Saturday of every month and has cash prizes for the top finishers.
Midtown Chess Club Quick & Blitz: A weekly over-the-board tournament at the Midtown Chess Club in Tulsa. It consists of two sections: a quick tournament with a time control of 15 minutes per game and a blitz tournament with a time control of 5 minutes per game. The entry fee is $5 for each section and the tournament is open to all players. The tournament is usually held on Tuesdays and has trophies for the winners.
Challengers Blitz Quads: A monthly over-the-board tournament at the Challengers Chess Club in OKC. It is a round-robin format with four players in each quad. The time control is 10 minutes per game and the entry fee is $10. The tournament is open to all players and has cash prizes for the winners of each quad. The tournament is usually held on the last Saturday of every month.
Divertimento Riccorente: A monthly online rapid tournament with a time control of 15 minutes plus 10 seconds increment per move. It is open to all players and has a $5 entry fee. The tournament is usually held on the third Sunday of every month and has gift cards for the top finishers.
You can find more information about these tournaments and register for them on the OCF Chess website.
Norman Chess Club (NCC) is a chess club and academy based in Norman, Oklahoma, USA. It is a non-profit educational organization that teaches the game of chess and promotes its educational program through community outreach and local partnerships. It also organizes various chess tournaments throughout the year, both online and over-the-board.
Some of the chess tournaments that Norman Chess Club regularly hosts are:
Sooner Quads2: A monthly over-the-board tournament that consists of four-player round-robin sections. The time control is 30 minutes per game and the entry fee is $10. The tournament is open to all players and has cash prizes for the winners of each section. The tournament is usually held on the third Sunday of every month at the Norman Public Library.
OU Bullet Challenge: A monthly online tournament that features bullet chess, a fast-paced variant of chess with a time control of 1 minute per game. The entry fee is $5 and the tournament is open to all players. The tournament is usually held on the last Sunday of every month on the chess.com platform.
NC-17 Open: An annual over-the-board tournament that is held in February at the Norman Public Library. It is a four-round Swiss system tournament with a time control of 90 minutes per game. The entry fee is $25 and the tournament is open to all players. The tournament has a guaranteed prize fund of $1,000 and is US Chess Federation rated.
Norman Scholastic Chess Championship: An annual over-the-board tournament that is held in April at the Norman High School. It is open to students from kindergarten to 12th grade who attend schools in Norman or the surrounding areas. The tournament has multiple sections based on grade level and skill level. The entry fee is $15 and the tournament has trophies and medals for the top finishers.
Courtesy of Norman Chess Club
You can find more information about these tournaments and register for them on the Norman Chess Club website.
Conclusion
As you can see, Oklahoma is a great place for chess lovers, with many chess clubs and institutions that offer regular chess tournaments for players of all levels. Whether you want to play for fun, improve your skills, or compete for prizes and titles, you will find something that matches your interest and level. We hope this guide has helped you find some chess tournaments in Oklahoma that you can join or watch. Happy chess playing!