e-mail at info@chesscastle.com
You can register for ALL Chess Castle and MSCA events online at onlineregistration.cc! You can also always register in-person - please arrive before the start time.
The Chess Castle is open four nights a week, on Monday-Thursday, and most weekends!
New scholastic event: The scholastic Grand Prix !
Click here for details. SEE YOU GRAND PRIX POINTS CLICK HERE!
WEEKDAY TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Monday Action Quads
Action Quads every Monday. For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Sunday.
Format: Quads, Game in 25 with a 10 second increment (G/25+10), 3 rounds, players grouped by rating.
Round Times: 1st round at 6:30 PM, remaining rounds ASAP.
Entry Fee: $15 for Castle members by Sun, $20 by Mon online until 6 PM, $25 at site, $5 more for non-members.
Prizes: 1st $30 in each quad. If there is a Swiss lower section, then 1st $30 and $15 class prize.
Registration: Online by 6 pm Mon, CLICK HERE! Onsite registration and check-in 6:00-6:20 PM.
Other: USCF membership is required. Games may be broadcast, but it is optional to players. Most games are done by 10:00 PM.
Questions: Contact TD Dan Voje at danvoje@gmail.com or 651-280-5473. Please call if Mon after 3 PM.
Tuesday Knighter (some slight changes)
Rounds every Tuesday. For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Sunday before round 1.
Format: 4-5 Rd SS, (G/60; +30). New event each month, 1st round 1st Tuesday, last round last Tuesday.
Round Time: 6:30 PM Tuesdays, check-in by 6:20 PM or you may not get paired.
Entry Fee: If 2-days early, $20 CCM members, $30 for non-members. After that, $5 more online up until club opens, $10 more at site. It's good for whole month. 1-day rate is $10 for CCM members, $15 for non-members.
Onsite: Club opens at 6:00 PM. Registration and check-in ends at 6:20. Online registration DEC SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Prizes: Winner and Top Cumulative Upsets get FREE entry next month, split on a tie.
Byes: One bye if 4 rounds, two byes if 5 rounds.
Other: Players must be present or email Josh by 6:20 PM to Check-In. USCF membership is required. Most games done by 9:00 PM.
Questions: Contact TD Joshua Rajadurai at Joshua.chesscastle@gmail.com.
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.
Casual: 5-7 PM. Unrated chess fun to play friendly games and socialize
Game review/lecture: 7-8 PM. Have your notated game reviewed by a US Chess Expert, Candidate Master, or National Master. $10 per game up to 5 games per night.
Unrated Blitz Format: 6 rounds, G/3+2.
Round Times: 1st round at 8:00 PM, remaining rounds ASAP.
Entry Fee: Entry $10 only $5 for those who paid for Game Review
Prizes 1st $20, 2nd $10, & Free Weekday Tournament Cards to all new Unrated or Provisionally rated players scoring 2 points or more
Questions: Contact TD Dan Voje at danvoje@gmail.com or 651-280-5473
Thursday Knighter Open/Premier
Rounds every Thursday. For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Tuesday before round 1.
OPEN: Personal chess set & clock optional.
Format: 4-5 Rd SS, (G/90; +30). New event each month, 1st round 1st Thursday, last round last Thursday.
Round Times: 6:30 PM each Thursday, check-in by 6:20 or you may not get paired.
Entry Fee: If 2-days early, $25 for CCM members, $35 for non-members. After that, $5 more online until site open, $10 more at site. It's good for whole month. 1-day rate is $10 for CCM members, $15 for non-members.
Onsite: Club opens at 6:00 PM. Registration and check-in ends at 6:20. Online registration DEC SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Prizes: Winner and Top Cumulative Upsets get FREE entry next month, split on a tie. Winner(s) may optionally use entry for PREMIER.
Byes: One bye if 4 rounds, two byes if 5 rounds. Must have full entry.
Other: USCF membership is required. Most games are done by 10:00 PM. Spectators welcomed.
Questions: Contact TD Norm Myrin at normalcyforever@gmail.com or 612-964-6673
PREMIER: Chess set & clock provided. Premier Prize Masters Entry!
Format / Round Times: Same as OPEN section. Excellent opportunity for higher rated players (must be 1700 or higher) with discount incentives.
Entry Fee: If 2-days early and a CCM member (1700-1899 $35), (1900-1999 $30), (2000-2099 $25), (2100-2199 $20), (2200-2299 $15), (2300+ $10), (NE receives $5 off, NM receives $10 off, FM and above FREE). After that, $5 more until site opens, $10 more at site. Non-members $10 more. Entry fee is good for whole month. One-day rate is same as OPEN.
Onsite: Same as OPEN.
Prizes: Same as OPEN, plus Winner gets free entry to play a weekend Quad with 3 Masters!
Byes: Same as OPEN, must be 1800+.
Other: Exceptions to minimum rating at TD's discretion. TD may require submission of game scores. Games may be broadcast with live commentary on YouTube.
Questions: Contact TD Nathan Hoover at nathanhoover@msn.com or 763-232-9944
WEEKEND TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Please note the 2-day early entry option for weekend events beginning Jun 1. For more info, click here.
Speed Demons Revival (Dec 21) (New Event)
For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Thursday.
Format: 13 rounds, (G/8; +3). USCF membership is required.
Entry fee: If 2-days early, $20 for Castle members, $30 for non-members. After that, $5 more online until site opens, $10 more at site. SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Rounds: About every 30 minutes. 30-minute lunch break after round 5.
Onsite: Club opens at 9:30 AM. Registration and check-in ends at 9:50, please text TD if running late.
Prizes: $200 total (based on 20). $100 for 1st, $50 for 2nd, $50 for Class Prize TBD.
Other: 5 byes, request by round 6. USCF Quick rated. Using regular ratings for pairings and prizes. Games may be broadcast.
Questions: E-mail TD Nathan Hoover nathanhoover@msn.com or text 763-232-9944 after 8 AM on event day.
Holiday Whiz Blitz (Dec 28)
For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Thursday.
Format: 6 rounds, (G/25; +10). USCF membership is required.
Entry fee: If 2-days early, $20 for Castle members, $30 for non-members. After that, $5 more online until site opens, $10 more at site. SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Onsite: Club opens at 9:30 AM. Registration and check-in ends at 9:50, please text TD if running late.
Rounds: 10:00, 11:20, 1:15, 2:35, 3:55, 5:15. Thirty minute lunch break after rd 2.
Prizes: $200 total (based on 20). $100 for 1st, $50 for 2nd, $50 for Class Prize TBD.
Other: 2 half-point byes allowed, request by round 3. USCF Regular and Quick rated. Games may be broadcast.
Questions: E-mail TD Nathan Hoover nathanhoover@msn.com or text 763-232-9944 after 8 AM on event day.
Premium Castle Membership (Jan) tentative
For best rate, sign up 2 days before start-of-month.
Format: Includes free entry for Exerciser Quads, Tuesday Knighter, and Thursday Knighter Open. Member's discount on all other events for the month. USCF membership is required.
Entry fee: If 2-days early $40, if 1-day early $45. SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Onsite: For EQs, Tuesdays, and Thursdays just show up by end of check-in. For all others, register as member using online registration.
Prizes: See applicable event.
Questions: E-mail TD Nathan Hoover nathanhoover@msn.com or text 763-232-9944.
Castle Championship (Jan 4-5)
For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Sunday 12/29.
Format: 5 round SS, (G/60; +30), in 2 sections Premier (1700+) & Amateur (U1800). To be eligible to play, you must have played in at least 2 rated Castle events throughout the year of 2024.
Entry fee: If 6-days early, $20 for Castle members, $35 for non-members. After that, $5 more until Thursday, $10 more after that until site opens, $15 more at site. SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Onsite: Club opens at 9:30 AM. Registration and check-in ends at 9:50, please text TD if running late.
Rounds: Sat 10:00, 1:30, 4:30. Lunch after rd 1. Sun 11:00, 2:30. Lunch after rd 4.
Prizes: Free 1-year Castle membership (or 2-month free play card) to 1st in each section. 50% discounted membership (or 1-month free play card) to 2nd, U2000, U1900, U1600, U1500. Winners also get name engraved on Championship Plague.
Byes: 2 byes, request by rd 3.
Other: USCF membership is required. Games may be broadcast.
Questions: E-mail TD Dane Zagar danezagar@gmail.com or 612-805-3958 (after 8 AM on event day).
Exerciser Quad #1 (Jan 11) $100 sponsored prize for top section!
For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Thursday.
Format: 3 rounds RR, (G/60; +30). Players are grouped based on ratings. USCF membership is required.
Entry fee: If 2-days early, $10 for Castle members, $20 for others. After that, $5 more online until site opens, $10 more at site. SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Onsite: Club opens at 9:30 AM. Registration and check-in ends at 9:50, please text TD if running late.
Rounds: 10:00 AM, 1:30 PM, and ASAP. Thirty-minute lunch break after rd 1.
Prizes (Top Section): $75-25 sponsored prize.
Byes: No byes, please do not withdraw. Withdrawal from Top Section incurs a $50 fee.
Other: Any section may be a Swiss at TD's discretion. Games may be broadcast. House player welcomed. Winner of section 2 receives invite to section 1 for next Exerciser Quad, entry fee still applies.
Questions: E-mail TD Dan Voje danvoje@gmail.com or 651-280-5473 (after 8 AM on event day).
Scholastic Grand Prix #3 (Jan 12)
For the best rate, sign up 3-days in advance! SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Eligibility: Players must be 18 or under. USCF Membership is required. (CCM Scholastic Novice Memberships are available through the Chess Castle offering a FREE USCF Membership.) Join Now!
Format: Players are grouped by grade levels in sections K-12. Four rounds. All games are G/25, d/5. ½ hour lunch break after round 1. Round times: 12:15, 1:45, and Rounds 3 and 4 ASAP. Questions? Email danezagar@gmail.com or call or text Dane at 612-805-3958.
Entry Fees: $35 for CCM Members, $45 for others (if registered 3-days early). 1-Day before, $5 more. And $10 more in person at the Castle. Doors will open at 11:00.
Prizes: Trophies and Medals for the top 5 winners of each section at all 6 tournaments. Grand Prix Points will be awarded to every player (10 just for registering, 5 for taking notation). Grand Prix Cash Prizes (based on cumulative points) will be awarded at the April Scholastic Grand Prix Tournament #6 Finale. Tournament Dates (all Sundays, 12:15): 11/03, 12/08, 1/12/25, 2/9, 3/2, 4/6. Play in as many as you can!
Grand Prix Points & Cash Awards:
All chess players will earn points—10 for each registration, 5 for each game notated. Per game, per section, per tournament: Win=20 points, Draw=10 points, Loss=5 points. Points are cumulative. We will use your top 4 games to determine your total points value. So, if you miss a tournament or have an off day, you won’t be penalized.
Cash Awards (presented at the 4/6 finale tournament) will be awarded to the top five winners* (highest point scores) in each section as follows:
First Place: $250
Second Place: $200
Third Place: $150
Fourth Place: $100
Fifth Place: $ 50
Contact: danezagar@gmail.com or text 612-805-3958
Winter Open (Jan 18-19)
https://www.minnesotachess.com/events
Mini-Swiss #1 (Jan 25)
For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Thursday.
Format: 3 round SS, (G/60; +30), in 2 sections Premier (1700+) & Amateur (U1800).
EF Premier: If 2-days early, $25 for Castle members, $35 for non-members.
EF Amateur: If 2-days early, $20 for Castle members, $30 for non-members.
EF Both: After that, $5 more online until site opens, $10 more at site. SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Onsite: Club opens at 9:30 AM. Registration and check-in ends at 9:50, please text TD if running late.
Rounds: 10:00, 1:30, 4:30. Thirty-minute lunch break after rd 1.
Prizes Premier: $150 total (based on 10). $100 for 1st, $50 for 2nd.
Prizes Amateur: $90 total (based on 10). $60 for 1st, $30 for 2nd.
Byes: 1 bye, request by rd 2.
Other: USCF membership is required. Games may be broadcast.
Questions: E-mail TD Dane Zagar danezagar@gmail.com or 612-805-3958 (after 8 AM on event day).
Exerciser Quad #2 (Feb 1) tentative
For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Thursday.
Format: 3 rounds RR, (G/60; +30). Players are grouped based on ratings. USCF membership is required.
Entry fee: If 2-days early, $10 for Castle members, $20 for others. After that, $5 more online until site opens, $10 more at site. SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Onsite: Club opens at 9:30 AM. Registration and check-in ends at 9:50, please text TD if running late.
Rounds: 10:00 AM, 1:30 PM, and ASAP. Thirty-minute lunch break after rd 1.
Other: No byes, please do not withdraw. One section may be a Swiss at TD's discretion.
Questions: E-mail TD Dan Voje danvoje@gmail.com or 651-280-5473 (after 8 AM on event day).
Minnesota Open (Feb 14-16)
https://www.minnesotachess.com/events