Century High School to Host 26th Annual Rochester Area Scholastic Chess League City Cup Tournament

Rochester High School Hosts 26th Annual City Cup Chess Tournament

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The excitement is palpable as Century High School prepares to host the 26th annual Rochester Area Scholastic Chess League (RASCL) City Cup tournament this Saturday in the north cafeteria. With the school’s Varsity Silver team as the defending champions, the stakes are high for both seasoned players and newcomers alike.

“Of the 26 years we’ve had the tournament, Century has won the City Cup about 14 times,” said Chuck Handlon, the school’s dedicated chess coach. “We have done very well in the league.”

Last year, Century High School made waves by co-championing the state tournament alongside Eastview High School and Eden Prairie High School. This year, the team is gearing up for the 61st Annual State Scholastic Chess Championship at the University of St. Thomas on March 7.

“We’ve reached one of our goals, which was to win the regular season,” Handlon noted. “Hopefully we retain the City Cup, that’s goal number two, and then goal number three we repeat as state champion.”

The tournament kicks off with the semifinal round of varsity games at 9:00 AM and is expected to wrap up around 2 PM, culminating in the presentation of the City Cup trophy and the 2025-2026 regular season awards.

The popularity of chess among local youth has surged, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Dennis Mays, coach of the Rochester Chess Club, observed a shift in how students develop their skills. “The convenience of learning and playing chess online has changed the landscape,” he explained. “New students often arrive with more experience than in the past, having taught themselves through online resources.”

Mays encourages students to join local chess clubs, emphasizing the social and cognitive benefits of the game. “Our motto for our nonprofit is: ‘Play chess, grow your brain,’” he said. “Chess enhances critical decision-making, analytical thinking, and personal responsibility, while also fostering social connections.”

As the City Cup tournament approaches, the community is buzzing with anticipation, eager to see if Century High School can defend its title and continue its legacy of excellence in scholastic chess.