e-mail at info@chesscastle.com

LOCATION & DIRECTIONS

10 Southdale Center Suite 910, Edina, MN 55435

You can register for ALL Chess Castle and MSCA events online at onlineregistration.cc! You can also always register in-person - please arrive before the start time.

The Chess Castle is open four nights a week, on Monday-Thursday, and most weekends!

WEEKDAY TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Monday Action Quads

Action Quads every Monday. For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Sunday.
Format: Quads, Game in 25 with a 10 second increment (G/25+10), 3 rounds, players grouped by rating.
Round Times: 1st round at 6:30 PM, remaining rounds ASAP.

Entry Fee: $15 for Castle members by Sun, $20 by Mon online until 6 PM, $25 at site, $15 more for non-members.

Prizes: 1st $30 in each quad. If there is a Swiss lower section, then 1st $30 and $15 class prize.

Registration: Online by 6 pm Mon, CLICK HERE! Onsite registration and check-in 6:00-6:20 PM.

Other: USCF membership is required. Games may be broadcast, but it is optional to players. Most games are done by 10:00 PM.

Withdrawals:  Please do not withdraw.  Withdrawal from a quad  without serious cause may incur a  $50 penalty  before registering for another quad.

This only applies to  quad sections, not the swiss.
Questions: Contact TD Dan Voje at danvoje@gmail.com or 651-280-5473. Please call if Mon after 3 PM.

Tuesday Knighter OPEN (up to $160 in sponsored prizes!)

Rounds every Tuesday.  For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Sunday before round 1.

Format: 4-5 Rd SS, (G/60; +30). New event each month, 1st round 1st Tuesday, last round last Tuesday.
Round Times: 6:30 PM each Tuesday, check-in by 6:20 or you may not get paired.

Entry Fee: If 2-days early, $25 for CCM members, $40 for non-members, (NE discount $5, NM discount $10).  After that, EF is $5 more online until site opens, $10 more at site.  It's good for whole month.  1-day rate is $10 for CCM members, $15 for non-members.

Onsite: Club opens at 6:00 PM. Registration and check-in ends at 6:20.  Online registration: MAR SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Prizes: $120-40 (b/12pd) 1st-2nd sponsored prizes! Top Cumulative Upsets get FREE entry next month.

Byes: One bye if 4 rounds, two byes if 5 rounds.  Request by round 3.  One-day entry not applicable.

Other: USCF membership is required. Most games done by 9:00 PM. Games may be broadcast. Spectators welcomed.  Play TUE & THU and save $10, scroll down to Week-Knighter Special for more info.
Questions: Contact TD Nathan Hoover at nathanhoover@msn.com or 763-232-9944

2026 Tuesday Knighter Leaderboard, 2026 Upset Leaders

Wednesday Casual Night & Unrated Blitz

Perfect for new players or returning members to learn about the club, play some friendly games, or join the US Chess Federation.

Entry Fee: Free for first timers, $5 donation requested after that per week.
Casual: 5-6:30 PM. Unrated chess fun to play friendly games and socialize

Unrated Blitz Format: Around 6:30 PM we start an unrated blitz. G/5; d3.
Questions: Contact TD Dan Voje at danvoje@gmail.com or 651-280-5473

Thursday Knighter OPEN/PREMIER

Rounds every Thursday.  For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Tuesday before round 1.

OPEN: Personal chess set & clock optional.

Format: 4-5 Rd SS, (G/90; +30). New event each month, 1st round 1st Thursday, last round last Thursday.
Round Times: 6:30 PM each Thursday, check-in by 6:20 or you may not get paired.

Entry Fee: If 2-days early, $25 for CCM members, $40 for non-members.  After that, $5 more online until site open, $10 more at site.  It's good for whole month.  1-day rate is $10 for CCM members, $15 for non-members, no discounts.

Onsite: Club opens at 6:00 PM. Registration and check-in ends at 6:20.  Online registration: MAR SIGN UP CLICK HERE!
Prizes: Winner and Top Cumulative Upsets get FREE entry next month, split on a tie. Winner may optionally use entry for PREMIER.

Byes: One bye if 4 rounds, two byes if 5 rounds.  Request by round 3.  One-day entry not applicable.

Other: USCF membership is required. Most games are done by 10:00 PM. Spectators welcomed.  Upset winner may have adjusted rating next month.  Play TUE & THU and save $10, scroll down to Week-Knighter Special for more info.
Questions: Contact TD Norm Myrin at normalcyforever@gmail.com or 612-964-6673

2026 Thursday Knighter Leaderboard, 2026 Upset Leaders

PREMIER: Chess set & clock provided.  Up to $200 in sponsored prizes! 

Format / Round Times: Same as OPEN section. Excellent opportunity for higher rated players (must be 1700 or higher) with discount incentives.

Entry Fee: If 2-days early and a CCM member (1700-1899 $35), (1900-1999 $30), (2000-2099 $25), (2100-2199 $20), (2200-2299 $15), (2300+ $10), (NE receives $5 off, NM receives $10 off, FM and above FREE).  After that, $5 more until site opens, $10 more at site.  Non-members $15 more.  Entry fee is good for whole month.  One-day rate is same as OPEN.

Onsite: Same as OPEN.
Prizes: $150-50 (b/12pd) 1st-2nd sponsored prizes! Top Cumulative Upsets get FREE entry next month.

Byes: Same as OPEN, must be 1800+.

Other: Exceptions to minimum rating and byes at TD's discretion. TD may require submission of game scores.  Games may be broadcast with live commentary on YouTube.  Play TUE & THU and save $10, scroll down to Week-Knighter Special for more info.
Questions: Contact TD Nathan Hoover at nathanhoover@msn.com or 763-232-9944

Week-Knighter Special

Play in both TUE & THU Knighter and save $10!  For best rate, sign-up 2 days before first event.

EF: See specific events above and subtract $10, or click the sign up link below and let the system calculate.  If you are playing in the THU PREMIER, please select appropriate rating-based section, all others select OPEN section.  TUE is OPEN section for all.  EF is good for whole month.
Byes: Please email or text TD with your byes.

Other: NE discount $10, NM discount $20.  For more info, see specific Tue or Thu events above.

Questions: Contact TD Nathan Hoover at nathanhoover@msn.com or 763-232-9944

MAR SIGN UP CLICK HERE!

WEEKEND TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Club will be hosting the MN Closed Playoffs on the weekend of March 27-29, so no other event will be scheduled. Feel free to stop by and spectate! The games will also be streamed on the ChessCastle of Minnesota youtube channel, as well as on lichess.org. 

Easter Tornado (April 4)
For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Sunday (6-days early).
Format: 4 rounds, G/45;+15. 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, 12:45, 3:00, 5:15. 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 2.
Questions: Contact TD Jacob Pikus at jacobpikus@gmail.com or 612-806-8981

Note: The Chesscastle Championship Playoffs will also be held on Saturday April 4th at the same time as the Tornado. It is a 3 round Round Robin with a time control of 30+30. The playoffs consist of NM Jordan Timm, NM Okechukwu Iwu, Michael Perry, and Yusuf Khan. Time control is 30+30. In case of a tie for first, all names up to 3 are engraved on the big wall trophy. (Hopefully there will be no 4 way tie, otherwise blitz playoffs will determine the wall trophy placement too!)  However only one name goes on the silver Castle Cup, which will be decided by a blitz playoff incase of a tie.  

Feel free to stop by and spectate! This will be directed by Dane Zagar. 

Exerciser Quad (April 11)

For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Sunday (6-days early).
Format: 3 rounds RR, (G/60; +30).  Players are grouped based on ratings.  USCF membership is required.

Entry fee: If 6-days early (by Sun), $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).

April Action Extravaganza (April 18)
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

Telephone Day Think (April 25-26) 

For best rate, sign up by end-of-day Sunday (6-days early).
Format: 7 rounds, G/60;+15 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, 4:00, 6:45   SIGN UP CLICK HERE!

Sunday Rounds: 11:00, 2:15, 5:00

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 Dan Voje at danvoje@gmail.com or 651-280-5473. 

SCHOLASTIC GRAND PRIX #5 April 26th, 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