2026 Rochester Chess Festival

The 2026 Rochester Chess Festival will take place July 10 to 12 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota.

The festival includes a Friday evening tandem simultaneous exhibition featuring Minnesota International Masters John Bartholomew and Sean Nagle, followed by two major weekend tournaments running concurrently.

Events include:

• Tandem Simultaneous Chess Exhibition
Friday, July 10 at 7:00 PM
Limited to 40 players
Free for tournament participants thanks to MSCA sponsorship
$10 onsite for others

• Rochester Open
Saturday and Sunday, July 11 to 12
5 round Swiss
US Chess rated
G/60 with 30 second increment

• Midwest Women and Girls Championship
Saturday and Sunday, July 11 to 12
5 round Swiss
US Chess rated
G/60 with 30 second increment

The Rochester Open sections are Premier, U1900, U1500, U1100, and U700.

The Midwest Women and Girls Championship sections are Premier, U1100, and U700.

Round schedule:
Saturday: 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM

Maximum two half point byes are allowed in any rounds and must be declared before round 3.

Projected prizes:
Rochester Open: $5,400 based on 150 players
Midwest Women and Girls Championship: $1,650 based on 30 players

Tournament Director:
Sarah Wahl

Rochester Chess, MSCA, and local organizers are partnering to produce the festival. The Rochester Open and Midwest Women and Girls Championship are part of the 2026 MSCA Summer Grand Prix series.

Parking is free in the Civic Center ramp at 100 1st Ave SE from 5:00 PM to 2:30 AM Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday until 2:30 AM. No overnight parking. Players can cross the skyway on the second level to enter the Civic Center.

Questions:
Dennis Mays
dennismays101@gmail.com
507 254 6809