New Year, New Moves: Kickstart 2026 with Our January Tournament

 


The holiday decorations are coming down, the resolutions are written, and the chessboard is calling. There is something uniquely refreshing about flipping the calendar page. It’s a blank score sheet, waiting for your next brilliant combination.

We are thrilled to have kicked off 2026 with our first major event: the "New Year, New Moves" January Club Tournament.

This wasn't just another monthly meet-up. It was a chance to shake off the rust, try out that risky opening you studied over the break, and set the tone for a fantastic year of chess. Whether you’re a seasoned grandmaster in the making or just learned how the knight moves last week, this tournament was built for everyone.

Why "New Year, New Moves"?

We chose this theme because January is the perfect time for experimentation. Too often, we get stuck in our comfort zones and miss out on growth. With this tournament, we encouraged boldness—whether it was playing more aggressively, finally trying the Sicilian Defense, or just enjoying new strategies. The "New Year, New Moves" spirit is about embracing creativity and challenging ourselves to make every move count.

Tournament Details

Our accessible, fun format made it easy for members of all levels to participate. Over three consecutive Monday nights (January 12, 19, and 26), rounds alternated between quick 20-minute games and more thoughtful 30-minute sessions, ensuring plenty of action while keeping things relaxed.

We returned to our local favorite, Riverstone McDonald's, whose familiar, social atmosphere continues to foster both competition and camaraderie.

January Highlights & Final Results

The excitement was high from the very first evening, with 19 players battling across the boards—including first-time participants Daniel and Coleman. Five players, Ken, Anakin, Emerson, Martin, and Daniel, finished the opening night with perfect scores, while eight more scored at least one win.

Momentum built heading into the second night, where Ken rose to the top of the standings with four wins. Anakin and Martin were close behind, while Eric and Carlie fought to a draw. We also welcomed Marty to his first in-person tournament experience.

The final rounds on January 26 did not disappoint. Twenty players took part, bringing our total January participation to 26—two more than in December! A huge congratulations to Ken, our overall winner with 6 points. Carlie claimed second place with 4.5 points, and Martin and Brad tied for third with 4 points each. We extend a special thank you to Ken for stepping up as host while Deon was home sick, and to every player who made these nights truly memorable.

Looking Ahead

Thank you to all our members for your energy, sportsmanship, and bold play this January. Whether you finished at the top or just enjoyed the games and community, you helped make the “New Year, New Moves” tournament a fantastic start to 2026.

As we turn the page to February, there’s even more to look forward to. Whether you’re a returning player, a newcomer, or a scholastic player preparing for the North Regional Scholastic Tournament on February 28 (details here), now is the perfect time to keep the momentum going.

Stay tuned, keep practicing, and we’ll see you at the board for what promises to be another exciting month of chess!





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