April Action Extravaganza (April 25)
For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Sunday (6-days early).
Format: 6 rounds, G/25;+10 USCF membership is required.
Entry fee: If 6-days early (by Sun), $30 for Castle members, $45 for non-members. If 2-days early (by Thu), $10 more.  After that, $5 more online until site opens.  At site $50 for Castle members, $65 for others.
Rounds at 10:00, 11:20, 1:20, 2:40, 4:00. SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Onsite: Club will be open at 9:30 AM. Registration closes at 9:50 AM.
Prizes: $200 total (based on 16). $100 for 1st, $40 for 2nd, and two Class prizes $30 each.

Note: The number of prizes and the amount of money in the prize pool  changes with attendance.
Other: Up to two half point byes. Request by round 3.

Questions: Contact TD Joshua Rajadurai at Joshua.chesscastle@gmail.com

Raindrop Tornado (May 2)
For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Sunday (6-days early).
Format: 4 rounds, G/30;+30 USCF membership is required.
Entry fee: If 6-days early (by Sun), $30 for Castle members, $45 for non-members. If 2-days early (by Thu), $10 more.  After that, $5 more online until site opens.  At site $50 for Castle members, $65 for others.
Rounds at 10:00, 12:50, 3:15, 5:40. SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Onsite: Club will be open at 9:30 AM. Registration closes at 9:50 AM.
Prizes: $200 total (based on 16). $100 for 1st, $40 for 2nd, and two Class prizes $30 each.

Note: The number of prizes and the amount of money in the prize pool  changes with attendance.
Other: Up to 1 half point byes. Request by round 2.

Questions: Contact TD Jacob Pikus at jacobpikus@gmail.com or 612-806-8981

New Fast Classical Marathon (May 9-10)
For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Sunday (6-days early).
Format: 6 rounds, G/45;+30 USCF membership is required.
Entry fee: If 6-days early (by Sun), $40 for Castle members, $55 for non-members. If 2-days early (by Thu), $10 more.  After that, $5 more online until site opens.  At site $60 for Castle members, $75 for others.
Saturday ONLY Entry fee (No Prizes): If 6-days early (by Sun), $20 for Castle members, $30 for non-members. If 2-days early (by Thu), $10 more.  After that, $5 more online until site opens.  At site $40 for Castle members, $50 for others.
Saturday Rounds: 10:00, 1:15, 4:10   SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Sunday Rounds: 10:00, 1:15, 4:10
Onsite: Club will be open at 9:30 AM. Registration closes at 9:50 AM.
Prizes: (based on 16). $150 for 1st, $80 for 2nd, and two Class prizes $60 each.
Note: The number of prizes and the amount of money in the prize pool  changes with attendance.
Other: Up to 2 half point byes, request by round 3.
Questions: Contact TD Eddie Wasserman at milkshake1300@gmail.com

Exerciser Quad (May 16)

For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Thursday.
Format: 3 rounds RR, (G/60; +30).  Players are grouped based on ratings.  USCF membership is required.

Entry fee: If 6-days early, $10 for Castle members, $25 for others. If 2-days early (by Thu), $5 more. After that, $5 more online until site opens.  At site $25 for Castle members, $40 for others. SIGN UP CLICK HERE!

Onsite: Club opens at 9:30 AM. Registration and check-in ends at 9:50, please text TD if running late.

Rounds: 10:00 AM, 1:30 PM, and ASAP.  Lunch after rd 1.
Other: No byes, please do not withdraw.  One section may be a Swiss at TD's discretion.

Questions: E-mail TD Dan Voje danvoje@gmail.com or 651-280-5473 (after 8 AM on event day).

FINALE SCHOLASTIC GRAND PRIX FREE PIZZA LUNCH May 17, 2026

For the best rate, sign up 3-days in advance!   
SIGN UP CLICK HERE!

Eligibility: Players must be 18 or under. USCF Membership is required. CCM Scholastic Novice Memberships are available through the Chess Castle offering a FREE USCF Membership. Join Now! 

Format: Players are grouped by grade levels in sections K-12. Four rounds. All games are G/25, d/5.  ½ hour lunch break after round 1.  Round times:  12:15, 1:45, and Rounds 3 and 4 ASAP.  Questions?  Email danezagar@gmail.com or call or text Dane at 612-805-3958.

Entry Fees: Just $40 for CCM Members, $50 for others (if registered 3-days early). 1-Day before, $10 more, and $15 more online until 11:00AM, and $20 in person at the Castle. Doors will open at 11:00AM.

Prizes:  Trophies and Medals for the top 5 winners of each section at all 6 tournaments. May add prizes! Grand Prix Points will be awarded to every player (10 just for registering, 5 for taking notation).
Grand Prix Cash Prizes (based on cumulative points) will be awarded at the May Scholastic Grand Prix Tournament #6 Finale.  

Tournament Dates (all Sundays, 12:15):  Dec. 7, Jan. 11, Feb. 8, Mar. 1, April 26, and May 17 final.  Play in as many as you can! Note: Must register for each individual event. 

Grand Prix Points & Cash Awards:  

All chess players will earn points—30 for each registration, up to 40 points for playing 4 or more other chess tournaments, all USCF rated events December-May 17, plus others ask Dane which events qualify. Per game, per section, per tournament: Win-full point=20 points, Draw-half point=10 points, Loss-zero point=5 points. Points are cumulative. We will use your top 4 events out of 6 to determine your total points value.  So, if you miss a tournament or have an off day, you won’t be penalized. 

Cash Awards presented at the May 17 finale tournament, will be awarded to the top five winners in K-5 and 6-12th grade sections as follows (based on 40 per event):

First Place:         $250

Second Place:     $200

Third Place:        $150

Fourth Place:      $100

Fifth Place:         $ 50

Contact: danezagar@gmail.com or text 612-805-3958

No Chicago Tornado (May 23)
For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Sunday (6-days early).
Format: 4 rounds, G/45 +10 USCF membership is required.
Entry fee: If 6-days early (by Sun), $30 for Castle members, $45 for non-members. If 2-days early (by Thu), $10 more.  After that, $5 more online until site opens.  At site $50 for Castle members, $65 for others.
Rounds: 10:00, 12:35, 2:40, 4:45. SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Onsite: Club will be open at 9:30 AM. Registration closes at 9:50 AM.
Prizes: $200 total (based on 16). $100 for 1st, $40 for 2nd, and two Class prizes $30 each.

Note: The number of prizes and the amount of money in the prize pool  changes with attendance.
Other: Up to 1 half point byes. Request by round 2.

Questions: Contact TD Joshua Rajadurai at Joshua.chesscastle@gmail.com

The Nature Rapid (May 30)
For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Sunday (6-days early).
Format: 5 rounds, G/30;d5 USCF membership is required.
Entry fee: If 6-days early (by Sun), $30 for Castle members, $45 for non-members. If 2-days early (by Thu), $10 more.  After that, $5 more online until site opens.  At site $50 for Castle members, $65 for others.
Rounds: 10:00, 11:20, 1:20, 2:40, 4:00. SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Onsite: Club will be open at 9:30 AM. Registration closes at 9:50 AM.
Prizes: $200 total (based on 16). $100 for 1st, $40 for 2nd, and two Class prizes $30 each.

Note: The number of prizes and the amount of money in the prize pool  changes with attendance.
Other: Up to 1 half point byes. Request by round 2.

Questions: E-mail TD Dan Voje danvoje@gmail.com or 651-280-5473 (after 8 AM on event day).

Note: There will be a 3 round playoff held at the club for the K-12 Girls championship at the same time, also with a 30; d5 time control. 

Castle Blitz Championship (June 6th at 7pm) 

All games are 3 minutes with a 2 second increment.

Format: 10 single rounds with Swiss pairings, G/3+2. USCF membership is required.
Prize fund: 1st $500, 2nd $250, 3rd $150, U2300 $150; U2000 $150; U1700 $150; U1400 $150; U1100 $150; U800/Unrated Trophy (based on 55).
Entry fee: $35 by 5/1, $40 by 6/1, $45 by 6/4, or $50 onsite by 6:45pm Saturday. SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Onsite Registration: Anytime at the Minneapolis Open before 6:45pm Saturday.
Prizes: 1st $500, 2nd $250, 3rd $150, U2300 $150; U2000 $150; U1700 $150; U1400 $150; U1100 $150; U800/Unrated Trophy (based on 55). Tournament Organizer: Contact Dane Zagar; danezagar@gmail.com or (612) 805-3958.

MINNEAPOLIS OPEN (June 5-7th 3-Day or 2-Day)
Brasket (1800+ ONLY): Entry fee is $95 by 5/1, $110 by 6/1, $125 by 6/4; $140 onsite. 

Prize fund: 1st $1,400, 2nd $700, 3rd $350, U2400 $250, U2200 $250, U2000 $250 (based on 45). 

GMs, IMS, & FMs entry refunded with at least 4 games played.

Diesen (U1800): Entry fee is $80 by 5/1, $90 by 6/1, $100 by 6/4; $110 onsite.

Prize fund: 1st $1,000, 2nd $500, 3rd $250, U1600 $200, U1400 $200; U1200 $200; U1000 $200 + Trophies for 1st - 3rd students U1000 (based on 55).

Future (U800):  Entry fee is $55 by 5/1, $60 by 6/1, $65 by 6/4; $70 onsite. Prize fund:

1st $250, 2nd $120, 3rd $80, U600 1st $60, 2nd $30; U400 1st $60, 2nd $30; Unrated 1st $60, 2nd $30. Trophies for the top 1st - 3rd Elementary schoolers 1st - 3rd Secondary schoolers (based on 35).

Schedule: Five games, Swiss pairings for all sections, USCF required. Future only two-day option.

Three-Day: (Brasket & Diesen ONLY) All games 75 minutes + 30 second increment

Onsite Registration: Friday 5:00pm-5:30pm. Rounds: Friday 6pm; Saturday 10:00am-2:30pm; Sunday 11:00am-3:30pm.

Two-Day: (All sections) Rounds 1 & 2 Game 30 minutes + 30 second increment (First two games) then merge with 3-day Round Three. Onsite Registration onsite: Saturday 9:00am -9:30am. Rounds: Saturday 10:00am-noon, merge.

Advanced Registration can be made online at www.onlineregistration.cc or mailed: Dane Zagar 7521 Penn Ave S #1, Minneapolis, MN 55423. Checks payable to: Chess Club of Minnesota; Must be postmarked by June 1st.
One Half-Point Bye can be requested before round 3 is paired, all others are zero-point byes.
Special Rules: Time forfeits after 30 minutes. Unrated players can play in the Diesen or Future but can only win Unrated prizes in Future or Trophies.
Cap of 160 players so register now!!!!

Tournament Organizer: Contact Dane Zagar; danezagar@gmail.com or (612) 805-3958.

Catfish Days (July 24th-26th) Two Potlucks + $2,500 in Prizes Fully Guaranteed!

Site: Franklin Community Center, 221 E 2nd Ave E, Franklin, MN 55333

Prize fund: 1st $600, 2nd $300, 3rd $200 4th $150. Plus $1,250 an additional Class Prizes for groups of at least 5 players.

Format: Seven games, Swiss pairings all one Open section. USCF membership required. 

Byes: Up to two half point byes for any rounds.

Time Control: Game in 60 minutes + 30. Forfeits 30 minutes from the start of the round.

Schedule: Our Onsite Registration is Friday noon -12:45pm. Rounds: Friday 1pm-5:30pm (Potluck#1 is 4:30PM-5:30PM Friday). Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm-6:30pm (Potluck#2 is 5:30PM-6:30PM Saturday). Sunday 10:00am-2:00pm (snacks + leftovers served between rounds Sunday). Please stay for the traditional cash award ceremony after the last round $10 fee for mailing prize!

Friday & Saturday Potlucks: Please contribute to the potlucks. Organizers will supply hotdogs, condiments, corn, etc. But we need other entrees, side dishes, snacks, and drinks. If you don’t know what to bring, contact Dane Zagar. 

Entry fee: $50 by May 1st, $60 by June 1st, $70 by July 1st, $80 by July 15th, $90 until midnight the day before the event, $100 onsite. Players rated 2200 or above receive $20 off & players 2000 or above receive $10 off!

Advanced entries: Can be made online at tinyurl.com/catfish2026

or mailed: Dane Zagar 4454 Maki Rd, Brookston, Minnesota, 55711.

Checks payable to: Chess Club of MN; must be postmarked by July 15th.

Hotels: There are many hotels, but book right away. Some options are in Redwood Falls.

Tournament Director: USCF Local TD Andy Grube 

Tournament Questions: Contact Dane Zagar at danezagar@gmail.com