Celebrate strategy, focus, and fun with us this National Chess Day! Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, this friendly community tournament is the perfect way to test your skills, meet fellow chess enthusiasts, and enjoy an afternoon of thoughtful competition.

Great first beginner tournament - if you know how the pieces move, this tournament is for you!

Open to all ages. Check in/Registration: 1-1:15 PM. BRING chess sets and clocks if you have them. 

Five Sections (or mini-tournaments based on ability):
All rated games are 25 minutes per side with a 5 second delay per move (also known as G/25, d5).
1. Open: 3 rounds - (most advanced players). First round starts at 1:20 pm.
2. Rated Under 1000: 3 rounds, First round starts at 1:25 pm
3. Rated Under 600 or unrated: 4 rounds, First round starts at 1:30 pm.
4. Rated Under 300 or unrated (PK-8th graders only): 4 rounds, First round starts 1:30 pm.
5. Non-Rated (US Chess membership NOT REQUIRED): Open to everyone. 4 rounds. First round starts at 1:45 pm. Non-rated games are 15 minutes per side or G/15.

Subsequent rounds will start as soon as possible. Swiss style tournament (no elimination, all players play all rounds). One half point by available, must commit by round 2. We will finish by 5 PM including award ceremonies.

All sections (except Non-Rated) are US Chess Federation rated tournaments and require a US Chess membership (available at www.uschess.org). Half price student (PK-12th grade) US Chess memberships available through Maine Chess Association, for more info see https://chessmaine.net/chessmaine/2025/02/how-to-redeem-meca-subsidized-.html

REGISTER ONLINE IN ADVANCE at the Events Page at ChessMaine.net at https://chessmaine.net/chessmaine/events/

If you are playing the non-rated section, put non-rated in response instead of a US chess membership number. If you want to play in a rated section (like the kids PK-8th grade only tournament) and need help with the form or signing up for a discount US Chess membership, contact the tournament director below, preferably before the day of the tournament.

Is this your first tournament? Please reach out to Tournament Director Dan Monahan if you have any questions:
mdichess1@gmail.com / 207-200-4681.

A special thank you to MDI Chess' Dan Monahan for his invaluable support and First National Bank for sponsoring the tournament prizes.