Upcoming South Dakota Chess Association Events
Website: https://sdchess.org

October Swiss Chess Tournament (USCF Membership Required for Both Sections)
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Location: Will-Moore Elementary School at 400 East Avenue E, Bismarck, ND
Sections: Open & Scholastic
Rounds: 4
Time Controls: Open Section G/45 with a 30 second increment; Scholastic Section G/25 with a 5 second delay
Registration: 9:30 AM - 9:50 AM
Round 1: 10:00 AM
Round 2: 12:30 PM
Round 3: 2:30 PM
Round 4: 4:30 PM
Entry Fee: Adults $20; College Students $10; K-12 $5
Prizes: Based on entry fees for the open section; Medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the scholastic section
Notes: Players may request one ½-point bye. Byes must be requested before the start of the 3rd round.
Contact: Todd Wolf 701-426-3768 or wolfpack@bis.midco.net

2026 South DakotaGovernor’s Cup ($12,000 prize fund unconditionally guaranteed; Presented by Chess Weekend, Inc. and the South Dakota Chess Association)
US Chess Grand Prix Points: 80
Dates: October 16-18 or 17-18, 2026
Location: Denny Sanford Premier Center (Sioux Falls Convention Center) 1201 N West Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57107
Tournament Hotel Rate: Details to come
Rounds: 5 (Swiss System); Choice of 2-day or 3-day schedule

Sections and Prizes:

• Premier (FIDE Rated): $1500-900-400-250; U2300 $650-400-200; U2100-$650, 400, 200; U1900 $600-375-175
• Reserve Under 1800: $1100-500-250; U1600 $600-350-175; U1400 $600-350-175
• Booster Under 1200: $400-250-150; U1000 $250-150

October 2026 Official Regular US Chess rating will be used. Unrated players may play in any section, but qualify for top prizes in each section only.

Entry Fees:

• Premier and Reserve: $89; Booster $59 early mail-in or online by 9/1/2026
• Premier and Reserve: $109; Booster $69 online by 9pm Wednesday 10/1/2026
• Premier and Reserve: $129; Booster $89 after 10/1/26 and on site
• Booster players rated 900 or higher may play up to Reserve section at Reserve section entry fee.
• Reserve players may play up to Premier section for $20 additional.
• Re-entries for $50 with appropriate byes.
• GMs and IMs free entry if registered by 10/1/2026
• $10 Discount for SDCA members.

Registration: Online at chessweekend.com

Mailed entries must be received 3 weeks before the tournament starts, and should include player name, US Chess ID, section you’re registering for, full address, phone and email. Checks payable to and mailed to Chess Weekend, 21694 Doud Ct., Frankfort, IL 60423.

Time Controls and Playing Schedules:

1/2 point byes OK all rounds, must commit by end of round 2
3-day Schedule (G/90;+30 second increment): On-site registration 6:00-6:30 pm; Friday 7:00 pm; Saturday 10:00 am, 4:00 pm; Sunday 10:00 am, 3:30 pm
2-day Schedule: On-site registration 8:45-9:30 am; Saturday (G/60;d5) 10:00 am, 1:00 pm; Saturday (merged - G/90;+30 increment) 4:00 pm; Sunday (merged - G/90;+30 increment) 10:00 am, 3:30 pm

SIDE EVENTS:

Saturday Night Blitz: $500 in prizes b/30 entries.
Full information at chessweekend.com

IMPORTANT: Please bring sets and clocks. For more information chessweekend.com; glenn@chessweekend.com

North Dakota Open State Championship 2026
Contact Name: Eric Ashton
Contact Email: eric@fargochessclub.com
Contact Telephone: 701-306-4130
Location: Ramada, 3333 13th Ave S, Fargo, ND, 58103 (contact the Ramada regarding room reservations and to ask for a room from the chess conference block at 701-235-3333)
Dates: October 31 to November 1, 2026
Registration Time: 8:00 AM-9:00 AM
USCF Rated: Yes
USCF Membership Required: Yes
Entry Fee: Online registration is $40 for adults; $30 for college students; $20 for grades K-12; https://caissachess.net/register/11114297
Register Onsite: $45 for adults; $35 for college students; $25 for grades K-12
Notes: This state championship is open to players outside of North Dakota
Prize Money: Sections and prizes money are based on entries at the discretion of the TD
Rounds: There will be 6 rounds. 4 rounds Saturday will be g/75, d/5, 2 rounds Saturday will be g/75, d/5
Byes: Players may request a maximum of two 1/2 point byes, and they must be requested before the start of round 3.
Round 1: 9:15 AM Saturday
Round 2: 12:30 PM Saturday
Round 3: 3:30 PM Saturday
Round 4: 7:30 PM Saturday
Round 5: 9:15 AM Sunday
Round 6: 1:00 PM Sunday
Websites: https://fargochessclub.com and https://www.facebook.com/FargoChessClub
Entry Fees: Collected on site for those that register onsite. You can see current registrations at https://caissachess.net/live/11114297

2026 Capital City Classic Chess Tournament (USCF Membership Required)
Dates: December 12 & 13, 2026
Location: Quality Inn at 1030 East Interstate Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58503 (please contact the Quality Inn directly at 701-223-1911 to reserve a room in the chess block)
Rounds: 5
Time Control: G/75 with a 30 second increment
Registration: 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Saturday
Round 1: 10:15 AM Saturday
Round 2: 1:30 PM Saturday
Round 3: 7:00 PM Saturday
Round 4: 9:00 AM Sunday
Round 5: 1:00 PM Sunday
Sections: Open & Under 1400
Entry Fee: Adults $50; College Students $30; K-12 $20
Prizes: Based on entry fees.
Notes: Players may request ½-point byes for up to 2 rounds. Byes must be requested before the start of the 3rd round.
Contact: Todd Wolf 701-426-3768 or wolfpack@bis.midco.net