2026 Willamette Classic Chess Tournament
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***UPDATE*** — The 18 Player Tournament is FULL as of 05/06/26! Wait list is currently open and will be used in case of any cancellations.
***VOLUNTEERS*** — Please call/text/email the host if you would like to be an event volunteer!
________________________________________________________________________
A single-day Swiss System tournament — Five rounds of competitive Chess
Every player competes in all five rounds regardless of wins or losses. The format rewards consistency and strategy over a single game, with pairings adjusted each round based on cumulative scores.
♟ Format — Swiss System — 18 players — 5 rounds — Open player field
· All 18 players compete in all 5 rounds. Final standings determine prizes. Directed by an experienced Tournament Director affiliated with Salem Oregon Chess Club.
· All ages and skill levels welcomed to play.
⏱ Time control — G/30 d5 — 30 minutes each with 5 sec delay per move
· Each player starts with 30 minutes. After every move, 5 seconds of delay is applied so games are decided by chess, not clock panic.
📍 Venue — Rudy's Garden Shop
· 1288 State St. SE, Salem OR 97301 (Next to Sassy Onion)
· Hosted in the event room space, with 9 boards running simultaneously. The Brick Barn PNW LEGO shop will be on-site during lunch break and post-event.
🏆 Prize pool — $800 Cash* + Brick Barn (LEGO store) gift cards + Star Scrum subs
· 1st: $300
· 2nd: $200
· 3rd: $150
· 4th: $75 - 5th: $50 - 6th: $25
· Plus Brick Barn PNW gift cards and Star Scrum Pro subscriptions for all 18 participants.
· *$800 pool is based on 18 registered and paid participants. The pool will be adjusted pro-rata based on the final number of registered and paid participants e.g. 9/18 registered players = $400 pool split pro-rata to the above posted schedule. Lets get a full tournament!
🎟 Entry Fee
· Early Bird: Now – May 9th, 2026 ($25) - FULL
· Regular: May 10th – Jun 25th, 2026 ($30)
· Capped at 18 players — first come, first served. Open to all — no USCF membership required.
🎉 Open, Engaging, and Fun
· 30-second entrance montages — Players can submit your entrance promo song & bio details
· Creative costumes welcomed — must be non-distracting during if worn during play)
· Chess is serious — Your entrance doesn't have to be!
See more tournament details and hear from the Lead Sponsor - The Fery Group LLC
·https://www.theferygroup.com/willamette-classic
What's Included
✓ Player Seat Reservation - (1 of 18 Spots)
✓ Cash prize pool distributed to top 6 placers
✓ Consolation prizes offered by Community Sponsors for ALL players
What to Bring
→ Optional: Food, snacks, beverages (concessions available on site)
→ No chess set or clock required (will be provided at the tournament)
FAQ
Q: Who can register for The Willamette Classic Chess Tournament?
A: The tournament is open to all ages and skill levels. K-12 players are encouraged to compete, however, players under 18 years of age must have a parent/guardian complete the on-line registration on the players behalf. The player must also have a parent/guardian sign a permission and release form prior to the tournament start.
Q: When do I need to be there? What time does Round 1 play start?
A: Doors Open + Check in begins - 9:00 AM Player Briefing - 9:30 AM Round 1 Start - 10:00 AM See full schedule on our external website: https://www.theferygroup.com/willamette-classic
Q: Who is funding the prize pool?
A: The prize pool is funded from a split between registration fees collected and the tournament's Community Sponsors. Thank you to our Lead Sponsor The Fery Group LLC and our Platinum Sponsors: Brick Barn PNW and Star Scrum Labs for organizing the tournament.
Q: Do I need to be a USCF Member?
A: No, a USCF membership is not required to participate in the tournament.
Hosted By
Maxwell Fery, The Fery Group
✉️ [email protected] or [email protected]
📞 (503) 910-9141
🌐 https://www.theferygroup.com/willamette-classic
***VOLUNTEERS*** — Please call/text/email the host if you would like to be an event volunteer!
________________________________________________________________________
A single-day Swiss System tournament — Five rounds of competitive Chess
Every player competes in all five rounds regardless of wins or losses. The format rewards consistency and strategy over a single game, with pairings adjusted each round based on cumulative scores.
♟ Format — Swiss System — 18 players — 5 rounds — Open player field
· All 18 players compete in all 5 rounds. Final standings determine prizes. Directed by an experienced Tournament Director affiliated with Salem Oregon Chess Club.
· All ages and skill levels welcomed to play.
⏱ Time control — G/30 d5 — 30 minutes each with 5 sec delay per move
· Each player starts with 30 minutes. After every move, 5 seconds of delay is applied so games are decided by chess, not clock panic.
📍 Venue — Rudy's Garden Shop
· 1288 State St. SE, Salem OR 97301 (Next to Sassy Onion)
· Hosted in the event room space, with 9 boards running simultaneously. The Brick Barn PNW LEGO shop will be on-site during lunch break and post-event.
🏆 Prize pool — $800 Cash* + Brick Barn (LEGO store) gift cards + Star Scrum subs
· 1st: $300
· 2nd: $200
· 3rd: $150
· 4th: $75 - 5th: $50 - 6th: $25
· Plus Brick Barn PNW gift cards and Star Scrum Pro subscriptions for all 18 participants.
· *$800 pool is based on 18 registered and paid participants. The pool will be adjusted pro-rata based on the final number of registered and paid participants e.g. 9/18 registered players = $400 pool split pro-rata to the above posted schedule. Lets get a full tournament!
🎟 Entry Fee
· Early Bird: Now – May 9th, 2026 ($25) - FULL
· Regular: May 10th – Jun 25th, 2026 ($30)
· Capped at 18 players — first come, first served. Open to all — no USCF membership required.
🎉 Open, Engaging, and Fun
· 30-second entrance montages — Players can submit your entrance promo song & bio details
· Creative costumes welcomed — must be non-distracting during if worn during play)
· Chess is serious — Your entrance doesn't have to be!
See more tournament details and hear from the Lead Sponsor - The Fery Group LLC
·https://www.theferygroup.com/willamette-classic
What's Included
✓ Player Seat Reservation - (1 of 18 Spots)
✓ Cash prize pool distributed to top 6 placers
✓ Consolation prizes offered by Community Sponsors for ALL players
What to Bring
→ Optional: Food, snacks, beverages (concessions available on site)
→ No chess set or clock required (will be provided at the tournament)
FAQ
Q: Who can register for The Willamette Classic Chess Tournament?
A: The tournament is open to all ages and skill levels. K-12 players are encouraged to compete, however, players under 18 years of age must have a parent/guardian complete the on-line registration on the players behalf. The player must also have a parent/guardian sign a permission and release form prior to the tournament start.
Q: When do I need to be there? What time does Round 1 play start?
A: Doors Open + Check in begins - 9:00 AM Player Briefing - 9:30 AM Round 1 Start - 10:00 AM See full schedule on our external website: https://www.theferygroup.com/willamette-classic
Q: Who is funding the prize pool?
A: The prize pool is funded from a split between registration fees collected and the tournament's Community Sponsors. Thank you to our Lead Sponsor The Fery Group LLC and our Platinum Sponsors: Brick Barn PNW and Star Scrum Labs for organizing the tournament.
Q: Do I need to be a USCF Member?
A: No, a USCF membership is not required to participate in the tournament.
Hosted By
Maxwell Fery, The Fery Group
✉️ [email protected] or [email protected]
📞 (503) 910-9141
🌐 https://www.theferygroup.com/willamette-classic
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Where is it happening?
1288 State ST SE, Salem, OR, United States, Oregon 97301
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherRudy's Garden Shop
