Chess


Petoskey Open Chess Classic - June 20, 2026

Join us on Saturday, June 20, for the 4th annual Petoskey Open Chess Classic, sponsored by Petoskey District Library!

Location:
This event takes place at the Carnegie Building, located at 451 East Mitchell Street in downtown Petoskey (across the street from the Petoskey District Library).

Sections:
4-round Swiss-style Open section
4-round Swiss-style Reserve section (1200 and under or Unrated)

Rounds:
9:30am – 12:00pm – 2:30pm – 5:00pm

Entry Fee:
Adults: $10.00 (paid online) or $15.00 at on-site registration on day of event.
All proceeds go towards youth chess programs in Petoskey.
Juniors (ages 8 to 18): Free

Online Registration:
Online registration is available for both adults and youth players at OnlineRegistration.cc, which is the service provider used by the Michigan Chess Association for all its events, including scholastic tournaments. Online registration will be available until June 19.

Note: A discount will be applied for youth players (ages 8-18) during the online checkout process, bringing the entry fee down to $0.

On-site Registration:
Though we prefer pre-registration as it allows us to plan effectively, players may also register on the day of the event (June 20) from 8:00am to 9:00am at the Carnegie Building. Registrations will not take place after 9:00am, so please arrive early enough to have your tournament entry processed. Credit card payments accepted.

Custom trophy cups from Sturgeon River Pottery:
Open 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 1st U1600
Reserve 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 1st U700

Contact:
Tournament Director - Robert Bemben, email:rjbemben@gmail.com

Registration:
Memberships in the United States Chess Federation (USCF) and the Michigan Chess Association (MCA) are required to participate. We may be able assist local youth with MCA membership costs; please contact rjbemben@gmail.com.
• Purchase USCF membership on its website here
• Purchase MCA membership on its website here

Time Control:
G/45; d10 for both sections: Each player has 45 minutes with a 10-second delay per move.

Recordkeeping:
Players must record moves on a game scoresheet; both players may stop recording under time pressure (when at least one player’s clock shows less than 5 minutes). Clocks and chess sets are provided for use in the Reserve section. Players in the Open section are asked to bring their own clocks and tournament-style sets if they have them.

Weekly Youth Chess Club

The Petoskey District Library Youth Chess Club meets during the school year on Mondays from 3:30pm to 5:30pm in the Library's Lower Level Classroom, and is mentored by Robert Bemben, Robin Ray, and Adam Masek. The weekly program has now ended for the 2025-2026 season and will return in September 2026 when Petoskey schools start its new year. (For those over age 18, we have an Adult Chess Club that meets on Mondays from noon to 2:30pm.)


Monthly Tournaments (ages 8-18)

Our monthly Swiss-style tournaments are now rated by the U.S Chess Federation (USCF) and take place only during the school year. The monthly tournaments are held in the upper level of the Carnegie Building from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. The Carnegie Building is across the street from the library (451 Mitchell Street). Please arrive no later than 5:30pm and use the entrance at the connector space with Crooked Tree Arts Center. Tournament will begin at 6:00pm. Competitors of all skill levels ages 8-18 are invited to participate, but membership in the USCF is required. For more information, email Robert Bemben.

  • September 17, 2026
  • October, 15, 2026
  • November 19, 2026
  • December 17, 2026
  • January 21, 2027
  • February 18, 2027
  • March 18, 2027 
  • April 15, 2027

Our end-of-school-year tournament will take place in May 2027 at the Carnegie Building. Please check back in 2027 for exact date. 


Petoskey Fall Chess Classic - October 24, 2026

Join us on Saturday, October 24, 2026, for the 4th annual Petoskey Fall Chess Classic, sponsored by Petoskey District Library!

Location:
This event takes place at the Carnegie Building, located at 451 East Mitchell Street in downtown Petoskey (across the street from the Petoskey District Library).

Sections:
4-round Swiss-style Open section
4-round Swiss-style Reserve section (1200 and under or Unrated)

Rounds:
9:30am – 12:00pm – 2:30pm – 5:00pm

Entry Fee:
Adults: $10.00 (paid online) or $15.00 at on-site registration on day of event.
All proceeds go towards youth chess programs in Petoskey.
Juniors (ages 8 to 18): Free

Online Registration:
Online registration is available for both adults and youth players at OnlineRegistration.cc, which is the service provider used by the Michigan Chess Association for all its events, including scholastic tournaments. Online registration will be available until October 23.

Note: A discount will be applied for youth players (ages 8-18) during the online checkout process, bringing the entry fee down to $0.

On-site Registration:
Though we prefer pre-registration as it allows us to plan effectively, players may also register on the day of the event (October 24) from 8:00am to 9:00am at the Carnegie Building. Registrations will not take place after 9:00am, so please arrive early enough to have your tournament entry processed. Credit card payments accepted.

Custom trophy cups from Sturgeon River Pottery:
Open 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 1st U1600
Reserve 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 1st U700

Contact:
Tournament Director - Robert Bemben, email:rjbemben@gmail.com

Registration:
Memberships in the United States Chess Federation (USCF) and the Michigan Chess Association (MCA) are required to participate. We may be able assist local youth with MCA membership costs; please contact rjbemben@gmail.com.
Purchase USCF membership on its website here
Purchase MCA membership on its website here

Time Control:
G/45; d10 for both sections: Each player has 45 minutes with a 10-second delay per move.

Recordkeeping:
Players must record moves on a game scoresheet; both players may stop recording under time pressure (when at least one player’s clock shows less than 5 minutes). Clocks and chess sets are provided for use in the Reserve section. Players in the Open section are asked to bring their own clocks and tournament-style sets if they have them.

Contact Us

Petoskey District Library
500 E Mitchell St
Petoskey MI 49770

View on Google Maps
231-758-3100

Hours of Operation

Monday 10am-7pm

Tuesday 10am-7pm

Wednesday 10am-7pm

Thursday 10am-7pm

Friday 10am-6pm

Saturday 10am-5pm

Sunday 12pm-5pm