Upcoming Chess Tournaments in Rochester, MN
Use this page to see what tournaments are coming up in Rochester, MN. Only future events are included here, so the list stays focused on tournaments you can still plan around. Right now there are 1 upcoming tournaments in the main list and 1 future listings across the supporting sections. Each tournament card links to the event details, the hosting club, and the matching city or state page so it is easy to compare your options and register.
tournament in the main list
Help grow chess in Rochester, MN by adding the next listing.
Browse Tournament Pages
Useful shortcuts for the same area.
Nearby Clubs and Coaches
Helpful if you want a place to play or train.
All Upcoming Tournaments
All future tournaments currently published for Rochester, MN.
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
Format: standard
Entry fee: Free
Tournaments This Weekend
Weekend tournaments currently scheduled for Rochester, MN.
No tournaments are available yet.
No weekend tournaments are published for Rochester, MN right now.
Tournaments This Week
Upcoming tournaments still on the calendar this week in Rochester, MN.
No tournaments are available yet.
No tournaments are published for the rest of this week in Rochester, MN.
Tournaments This Month
Tournaments published for the rest of this month in Rochester, MN.
No tournaments are available yet.
No more tournaments are published for this month yet.
Major Upcoming Tournaments
Featured upcoming tournaments with strong event signals in Rochester, MN.
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
Format: standard
Entry fee: Free
USCF-Rated Tournaments
Future tournaments in Rochester, MN that are explicitly marked as USCF-rated.
No tournaments are available yet.
No USCF-rated tournaments are currently published for Rochester, MN.