Tournaments & Events
Upcoming Regional Events
CDA Chess Club members are encouraged to participate in regional and state tournaments. Here are the events currently on the calendar:
Mar. 28–29 — Idaho State Championship
The biggest chess event on the Idaho calendar. Players from across the state compete for the title of Idaho State Chess Champion, with sections available for all rating levels. Strongly recommended for all serious members.
Apr. 21 — Spirit Lake Chess Open
The Spirit Lake Chess Open is a USCF-rated 4-round Swiss tournament taking place on April 21, 2026, from 4:00–8:00 PM at the Spirit Lake Senior Center in Spirit Lake, Idaho. With a $5 entry fee and space for up to 40 players, it's an affordable local event welcoming chess enthusiasts of all skill levels who hold a current USCF membership.
Our Monthly Club Tournaments
Every month at our Monday evening meetings, we run a themed multi-week tournament using our club rating system. These events are a huge part of what makes CDA Chess Club so vibrant — they bring fresh energy, friendly competition, and memorable moments to every gathering.
Mar. 9, 16, 23 — March of the Masters
The "March of the Masters" chess tournament is a premier spring event where players of all levels compete over three exciting Mondays to showcase their strategic brilliance and passion for chess.
March Online Open by CDA Chess is a rated rapid chess tournament hosted on Lichess by the CDA Chess team, featuring four rounds of Swiss-format play with a 20-minute time control. The tournament takes place on March 13, 2026, and is open to CDA Chess team members only — follow these step-by-step instructions to create a Lichess account and join the CDA Chess Team.
How the Club Rating System Works
Our club uses an internal rating system similar in principle to USCF ratings. After each meeting, results are processed to update every member's rating based on who they played and the outcome. This ensures pairings are always fair and meaningful, and it gives every player a clear, trackable measure of improvement over time.
For larger events, we split into two sections: typically 1201+ (Legends) and 1200-and-under (Learners), so beginners aren't thrown into the deep end and stronger players always face real competition.