2026 MN Class Championships

The Minnesota State Chess Association Class Championships will be held November 7-8, 2026 at the Renaissance Bloomington Hotel in Bloomington.

This US Chess-rated event groups players into rating-based classes so they can compete against similarly rated opponents.

Format

4-Round Swiss

Master through Class E: G/75 +30 Class F: G/45 d/10

Sections

Master: 2100+ Expert: 1900-2199 Class A: 1700-1999 Class B: 1500-1799 Class C: 1300-1599 Class D: 1100-1399 Class E: Under 1200 Class F: Under 1000, one-day section

Rating ranges intentionally overlap by 100 points in many sections. Players whose rating falls within an overlap may choose either eligible section.

Unrated players may enter Class A through Class F, but may not enter Master or Expert.

Round Schedule

Master through Class E

Saturday:

10:00 AM 2:30 PM

Sunday:

10:00 AM 2:30 PM

Class F

Saturday:

10:00 AM 12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM

Class F awards are at 6:30 PM.

Forfeit time is 30 minutes after the scheduled round start.

Players may request a maximum of one ½-point bye if declared before Round 2.

Players should bring chess sets and clocks.

Entry Fees

Through October 2

Master: $80 Expert through Class E: $70 Class F: $40

Through October 16

Master: $90 Expert through Class E: $80 Class F: $50

Through November 6

Master: $100 Expert through Class E: $90 Class F: $60

November 7

Master: $120 Expert through Class E: $110 Class F: $70

GM and WGM players receive free entry if registered by Friday, November 6 at 7:00 PM.

IM and WIM players also receive free entry by that deadline, with the entry fee deducted from any prize winnings.

Projected Prizes

Master

1st: $500 2nd: $300

Expert

1st: $350 2nd: $200

Class A

1st: $350 2nd: $200

Class B

1st: $350 2nd: $200

Class C

1st: $300 2nd: $150

Class D

1st: $300 2nd: $150

Class E

1st: $300 2nd: $150

Class F

1st: $125 2nd: $75 Trophies for Top 3 K-12, Top K-8, and Top K-5

Master 1st place is guaranteed regardless of turnout. Every other section's 1st-place prize is guaranteed at 75% of the published amount. A 3rd-place cash prize is added to any section reaching 21 or more players.

Sections may be changed, combined, or separated if turnout requires it, with prizes kept proportional.

Membership Requirements

Current MSCA and US Chess memberships are required.

Memberships must be current by Friday, November 6 at 7:00 PM.

Officials

Chief Tournament Director: Andrew Titus MSCA Organizer: Shanti Krishna

Venue

Renaissance Bloomington Hotel 5500 American Blvd West Bloomington, MN 55437

Questions can be directed to: msca.board@gmail.com

Registration is handled externally by the Minnesota State Chess Association.

Format: standard

2026 MN Class Champs Blitz

The Minnesota State Chess Association will hold a separate US Chess-rated blitz tournament on Saturday evening, November 7, 2026, as part of the Class Championships weekend.

Format

• US Chess rated
• 5 double rounds
• Time control: G/3 d/2
• Start time: 7:00 PM

Entry Fee

• $25 through November 6
• $30 on November 7

Projected Prizes

$500 projected prize fund based on 30 players:

• 1st: $150
• 2nd: $100
• Top U1700: $100
• Top U1300: $80
• Top U900 or Unrated: $70

Officials

Chief Tournament Director: Andrew Titus
MSCA Organizer: Shanti Krishna

Venue

Renaissance Bloomington Hotel
5500 American Blvd West
Bloomington, MN 55437

Questions can be directed to:

msca.board@gmail.com

Registration is handled externally by the Minnesota State Chess Association.

Format: standard