ROCHESTER CHESS

FESTIVAL

JULY 18-20, 2025

MAYO CIVIC CENTER IN ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA

HTTPS://WWW.MINNESOTACHESS.COM/ROCHESTER-CHESS-FESTIVAL

FEATURING 1ST EVER MIDWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR WOMEN & GIRLS

HIGHLIGHTS

Friday 7 PM Simultaneous Chess Exhibition (only $10) featuring Minnesota International Masters John Bartholomew & Sean Nagle. First 50 participants for Simultaneous Chess Exhibition get in FREE thanks to sponsorship by ChessGoals!

Leading Women’s Senior TD Sarah Wahl who has expertly directed more than 120 chess tournaments in Minnesota

Commentary and game review by popular MN chess streaming personality and ChessGoals founder Matt Jensen.

Local media coverage of chess festival

Winner of Midwest Women & Girls Regional Championship receives free entry fee for All Girls Nationals, US Women’s Open or US Open (champion’s choice)

Free entry for Masters registered by July 3

Rochester Open runs concurrently at venue and is open to all chess players Rochester Open is part of the 2025 MSCA Summer Grand Prix series

MSCA & Rochester Chess are partnering to produce this festival

5-RD Swiss System: USCF-rated (membership required) Time Control: G/60 +30 second increment per move

Saturday: 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM

Rochester Open - $5,000 in prizes based on 150 participants

Midwest Regional Women & Girls Championsh i p - $2,000 in prizes based on 60 participants

$80 entry fee if registered on-line by May 1

$90 entry fee if registered on-line by June 1

$100 entry fee if registered on-line by July 1

$110 entry fee if registered online by 7pm on July 18

$120 entry fee if registered in-person 8:30-9:30am on July 19

Entry fees $20 less for U1500 & U1100 sections, and $30 less for U700 section

Projected Prizes

$5,000 for the Rochester Open Based on 30 players per Section: Premier Section: 1st=$750, 2nd=$500, Top U2100=$250

U1900 Section: 1st=$600, 2nd=$400, Top U1600=$200 U1500 Section: 1st=$500, 2nd=$250, Top U1300=$150 U1100 Section: 1st=$400, 2nd=$250, Top U800=$150

U700 Section: 1st=$250, 2nd=$150, Top U500=$100, Top UNR=$100

Projected Prizes

$2,000 for the Midwest Regional Women & Girls Championship Based on 20 players per Section: Premier Section: 1st=$600, 2nd=$400, Top U1500=$200

U1100 Section: 1st=$300, 2nd=$200, Top U800=$100 U700 Section: Trophies for Top 10 finishers

For all event details and registration, please visit https://www.minnesotachess.com/rochester-chess-festival