Historic First Rated Chess Tournament at Flying Minds: A Game-Changer for Calgary’s South!

History was made this past weekend as Flying Minds, in collaboration with CJCC (Calgary Junior Chess Club), hosted its first-ever rated chess tournament. With 37 eager participants across three sections—Beginner, Intermediate, and Open—this event wasn’t just another competition; it was a monumental step forward for chess in South Calgary.

For the first time, players in the area had the opportunity to compete in a CFC-rated setting, opening the door for more prestigious events in the future. This tournament proved that South Calgary is ready to become a hotspot for competitive chess.

A Well-Organized Event with Strong Foundations This milestone tournament was seamlessly structured thanks to the hard work of Organizer Alex Nguyen and National Arbiter Summa Lai. Meanwhile Flying Minds Founder Zoar Shteinbach and Flying Minds chess coach John gave them the support and help they needed. CJCCs efforts ensured that every detail—from tournament boards to digital clocks and even snacks for the kids—was perfectly in place. Flying Minds provided the tournament space, creating an environment where players could focus, compete, and grow.

With five intense rounds of 20-minute rapid games with a 5-second increment, the competition ran smoothly from start to finish. Parents watched proudly as their children thrived in a rated environment, gaining invaluable experience and confidence in their abilities.

A Thrilling Day of Chess Battles

The energy inside Flying Minds was electrifying. Every game was a mental showdown, filled with tactical brilliance, strategic maneuvers, and thrilling endgames. From calculated sacrifices to last-second checkmates, each player brought their A-game, making this event a true chess spectacle.

Between rounds, players and parents enjoyed two dedicated breakrooms, a space to relax, analyze games, and connect with fellow chess enthusiasts. These areas fostered camaraderie and community—two key pillars of chess development. Celebrating Our Champions

After five rounds of fierce competition, the following players emerged victorious in their respective sections:

🏆 Open Section:

🥇 1st. Baneet Boparai 

🥈 2nd. Zhihui (Jacky) Lai 

🥉 3rd. Chelsea Fang 

🏆 Intermediate Section:

🥇 1st. Leon Sludnov 

🥈 2nd. Gabriel Yu

🥉 3rd. Andrew Derkach

🏆 Beginner Section:

🥇 1st. Adithya Rajeev 

🥈 2nd. Aashrith Vikram 

🥉 3rd. Waris Varn

A Bright Future for Rated Chess in South Calgary This tournament was more than just a competition—it was the beginning of something much bigger. With Flying Minds and CJCC leading the charge, this event has set the stage for more rated tournaments in South Calgary, bringing even more opportunities for young talents to flourish.

The overwhelming support from parents, players, and organizers made it clear: South Calgary is ready to be a chess powerhouse. If you missed this tournament, don’t worry—this is just the beginning. With the success of this first rated event, Flying Minds is set to become a hub for competitive chess. Stay tuned for future tournaments, training camps, and even more chances to earn CFC ratings right here in South Calgary.

Congratulations to all the participants, and a huge thank you to Alex Nguyen, Summa Lai for making this event a reality.

The future of chess in Calgary just got a whole lot brighter. Are you ready for the next move? ♟️🔥

Keep an eye for more tournaments here: https://www.calgaryjuniorchess.com/CJCC/events/events Looking to get ready for a tournament? https://www.flyingminds.ca/chess-club Check out our Chess Summer Camps, Regular weekly classes and Chess social on Friday at 5pm for more practice and fun!