SCA grows chess in the Cowboy State, upcoming tournament to host 3 Grandmasters

The Sheridan Chess Association, (SCA), a 501c3, has announced that three chess grandmasters will travel to Sheridan during the first weekend in May for the third annual Sheridan Wyoming Open chess tournament, which has potential to be the largest chess tournament in the Cowboy State’s history.

Secretary of the Sheridan Chess Association Dan Casey said the association is pleased to announce that three of the best chess players in the world will be participating in the Sheridan Wyoming Open chess tournament on May 3-5. Grand Master Alex Fishbein from Tennessee, Grand Master Bryan Smith from Pennsylvania, and Grand Master Fidel Corrales Jimenez from California will be traveling to Sheridan to compete in the event. 

According to Casey, last year saw 102 players compete in the Sheridan Wyoming Open. Organizers expect a larger group of players to compete for the $8,500 purse including a first prize of $2,200 this year.

While appearing on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, Casey explained why he and so many others possess a passion for the game.

D. Casey

The Sheridan chess tournament is open to players of all levels and all ages. Players compete in four divisions, with beginners competing in the under 1000 Division and the world’s top players competing in the Open Division. Players can register for the tournament by clicking here.

On Thursday, May 2, the Sheridan Chess Association will host a community simul where 25 community members will be selected to play simultaneous games against GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez, the winner of last year’s tournament.

On Friday, May 3, GM Bryan Smith will travel to Sheridan area schools to talk about chess and to play blindfolded demonstration games against Sheridan children. That evening, the Sheridan Chess Association will host a six-round “blitz” tournament where each player has five minutes to complete all of their moves in each game. If a player runs out of time, the player loses the game.

On Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, players will compete in the classical tournament with each participant competing in five 2-3 hour games played over the two days.

Casey said the tournament is one more way the SCA is expanding chess in Wyoming. The SCA has created one of the largest chess libraries in the United States, hosting in-school programs for Wyoming youth. In March, the SCA hosted a successful youth tournament in Sheridan with over 40 kids competing from around the State. And According to Casey, earlier this month, Wyoming earned first place in the chess.com U.S. Teams Chess League Division 3 tournament. 

“Wyoming is becoming a national leader in chess,” Casey said.