Saxonburg Chess Club to hold first all-ages tournament
The Saxonburg Chess Club will hold its first all-ages tournament, the inaugural Saxonburg Open, on March 2 at the South Butler Community Library. Games will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
This will mark the third tournament organized by the club, which formed in 2022. However, this will be the first all-ages tournament. The previous events, held in August and November, were open only to players from grades K-12.
“We are estimating about 35-ish participants of all ages and skill levels will come to play,” said Oliver Siemer, president of the Saxonburg Chess Club. “Right now we're at 20-something.”
There will be three sections. The prize for taking first place in the championship section is $100, with $70 going to second place. The winner of the premier section will receive $70, with the runner-up earning $40.
The director for this tournament is Gabriel Petesch, a FIDE Chess Master and chess teacher who organizes numerous tournaments in Western Pennsylvania.
Interested players can register at gpchess.net. All players must have a U.S. Chess Federation membership before registering. Registration is $40.
