There’s lots of activity this month in Oregon Scholastic Chess!  First, the Winter 2016 All-Stars List has been posted.  Congratulations to all these players, who were the top 10 (based on established ratings) active players in their grades between 9/1/2015 and 12/31/2015.  They’re invited to the Oregon All Stars Invitational to take place next October.

Second, there are many tournaments planned for this month and the next two months.  Check the NWSRS Calendar (especially the events listed in green) for the full range of options.  In addition to the regular quads being held by Chess Odyssey (generally every other Friday evening in Beaverton), the Silver Knights Chess Club (generally every other Sunday in Happy Valley), and at Willamette HS in Eugene (one Sunday a month), the following full day events are planned for the next couple of months.  Register or learn more at the links below, and you can find information about many of these events in further posts down below on this web site.  Essentially every one of these events is a qualifier for the always-fantastic 2016 OSCF State Championship in Seaside, Oregon, which will take place on April 29-30, 2016.  More on that event in February, but if you’re looking to qualify, the basic qualification requirements are set out here.

Full Day scholastic tournaments scheduled for February – March 2016

February 13: President’s Weekend Tournament in Portland

March 5; Hops Chess Fiesta Tournament in Independence

March 12: OES Aardvark Tournament in Portland

March 12: March Madness! Tournament in Eugene

Note also that the Portland Chess Club holds several tournaments — the G/45 events each month are good for kids and adults, while the G/60 at the end of each month are full day events that are best for advanced players.  There are also several significant two-day tournaments that PCC and the Oregon Chess Federation are holding during the coming months; all the above mentioned events are OSCF Qualifiers.  Finally, Chess for Success will be holding their regional qualifiers throughout January and February as a leadup to their State Championship in early April.  The CFS tourneys are not rated, and not OSCF qualifying events, but they’re still fun chess!