2026 MN Class Championships

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.

Tournament details and registration