Coquille Chess Club

04/08/2026

Reno Tournament: Dustin Herker won 5.5 out of 6 games to tie for first place U1400. Frank Morris won 3.5 out of 6 games to win 12th place in U1600.

04/05/2026

Dustin remains undefeated. Frank remains in an intense battle that remains even.

04/05/2026

Currently in Reno Nevada for the Annual Larry Evans Memorial Open Chess Tournament. We carpooled with Randy Smolensky from Myrtle Creek and had two Coquille alumni Frank Morse and Dustin Herker eager to compete. Two teens wanted to come but circumstances got in their way. We are currently in day 2 of the tournament. So far Frank has won 2 out of 3, Dustin is undefeated and Randy is 1.5 out of 3. They are currently in their fourth round. We have also had time to explore and enjoy the attractions but have to endure the heavy cigarette smoke (thankfully not in the tournament hall. My eyes are too irritated so I am heading to bed early and hopefully tomorrow I will update the results!

02/23/2026

Chess Newsletter February 22nd, 2026

QUADS FEBRUARY 22nd
Had fun with Sunday Quads! Congratulations Jeremiah Thompson won Advanced quads, Abby Fanno won Intermediate quads and Sawyer Bishop won Novice quads.

GETTING READY FOR SEASIDE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
To go to Seaside State Championships (the funnest tournament of the year) new players must play 15 rated USCF games and players who have played in previous years need 8 rated USCF games. Of those who have been coming to tournaments and indicated interest in participating in Seaside State, here is how you are doing on your games:

Liam DeLeon 2nd grade Games 13/15
Lucious Shake 3r d grade Games 10/15
Sawyer Bishop 3rd grade Games 16/15
*Logan Gibbs 4th grade Games 25/8
*Ruth Scott 4th grade Games 31/8
Kellan Horton 4th grade Games 12/15
*Maggie Weeks 4th grade Games 18/8
*Madison Fanno 5th grade Games 8/8
Ben Holbrook 6th grade Games 12/15
*Abigail Fanno 7th grade Games 11/8
Carter Tallent 7th grade Games 6/15
Addisyn Harris 7th grade Games 3/15
Carter Tallent 7th grade Games 6/15
Adrian Rangel 8th grade Games 5/8
*Jeremiah Thompson 9th grade Games 22/8
*Misha von Dassow 10th grade Games 30+/8
Urijah Henderson 10th grade 8/15
Zach Henderson 7th grade Games 8/15
Bennett Garnet 10th grade Games 0/15
Braydon Wagner 4th grade Games 8/15
*Skyler White-Ross 9th grade Games 29/8

UPCOMING QUALIFIER TOURNAMENTS
March 8th Quads at Coquille High School Library arrive 12:30 p.m. $5
Marsh 23rd Spring Break Fun at Coquille High School Library arrive 9:30 a.m. $10
March 29th Quads at Coquille High School Library arrive 12:30 p.m. $5

CHESS CLUB SCHEDULE for this week:
Monday 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at Marshfield High School Library
Tuesday lunchtime at Coquille Jr/Sr High School Library
Tuesday 3:00 to 4:30 at Myrtle Crest Elementary Library
Wednesday 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. at Coquille Valley Elementary. Private lessons 4:30 to 5:30 for invited players
Thursday 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Bandon Public Library
Thursday 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at North Bend Senior Center (hosted by Mark Claiborne)

:
UPCOMING MAJOR TOURNAMENTS:

OHSCTA February 27-28th at Cottage Grove High School. Wish good luck to our Coquille JV team (Jeremiah, Adrian, Abby, Carter, Addisyn) and Coos County Open team (Skyler, Urijah, Zach, Bennet).

OSCF (SEASIDE) STATE April 17-18th--EVERYONE'S FAVORITE TOURNAMENT. Attend tournaments to qualify.

CHESS FOR SUCCESS STATE April 25-26th Hillsboro High School. Qualified players are
High school: Skyler White-Ross
8th grade: Adrian Rangel
7th grade: Abigail Fanno
5th grade: Madison Fanno
K-4th grade: Logan Gibbs and Braydon Wagner

Middle School Team: Adrian Rangel, Abigail Fanno, Carter Tallent, Addisyn Harris, ??

Elementary School Team: Madge Fanno, Logan Gibbs, Ruth Scott, Kellan Horton? Liam Deleon? Sawyer Bishop?

TOURNAMENTS FOR PLAYERS RATED 1000 AND ABOVE:
Reno tournament for players April 3rd through the 5th $180 registration, 4 night hotel $150 per night per room.

Las Vegas June 11-15th for players rated 1200 and up. I am willing to transport adults as well if room. $250 registration approx $500 hotel for 2 players per room at Westgate Hotel.

FUNDRAISING: These big competitions cost a lot of money. Just the Regional Tournament is $25 per player. I need someone who can be in charge of fundraising like car washes, bottle drives, raffles, dinner, go fund me etc. Please let me know if you can take on organizing these events. I don’t want players to miss opportunities to play because they can’t afford it.

Chess Season is now in full swing! May all your moves be your best moves!

Dr. Nancy Keller
Chess Coach

02/09/2026

Presidents Day Tournament in Coquille

February 16th
At Coquille High School Library
499 W. Central
Entrance at upper parking lot and go to the back towards the gym/track field in the circle.
Check in 9:30 a.m. Tournament starts between 10 and 10:30 depending on how grumpy the computer is.
Registration fee: $10.00
Spectators free
Preregister through e-mail to drnancykeller.yahoo.com.
Need name, school, phone number, USCF number if have one.
USCF membership required. Either buy a USCF membership through Rosecitychess.com or bring additional $12.50 and I will get the membership for you. Fill out an info sheet at check in.
Divisions determined by number and skill level of registrants. Typically novice, intermediate, advanced sections.
Prizes are dragons/medals. Advanced gets cash/medals.
This is a Seaside State Qualifier
Bring snacks/lunch/drinks. There is no scheduled lunch as tournament goes the speed of the players game completion although an unscheduled lunch break may be announced.
Notation required 4th grade and above
Time control G30;D10 for novice/intermediate
Time control G45;D10 for advanced
Questions: Dr. Nancy Keller at [email protected] or 541 290-8479 text.

02/09/2026

Coquille Sunday Quads
For all ages
February 22nd
Coquille High School Library
499 W. Central, Coquille
Check in 12:30 p.m.
Tournament begins at 1:00 (depending on how cranky the computer is)
Fee $5.00
Prize $10.00 for first place
USCF membership required
$12.50 for new or renew Scholastic USCF membership
Adults must obtain their own USCF membership
G30/D10 for lower quads, G45/D10 for advanced quads
Qualifier for Seaside State
Bring snacks/drinks to eat/drink in hallway
Preregister Please: [email protected] or text 541 290-8479

02/04/2026

Coos Curry Regional Chess for Success Tournament
Saturday February 7th
Coquille High School LIBRARY
499 W. Central Blvd
Park upper parking lot
Must preregister with Chess for Success
https://tournamentjd.com/Tournaments
We are region 18. Fee $25
If can’t figure out registration or questions, contact [email protected]
or text 541 290-8479. I can register player for you.
Must register BEFORE the event.
Determines grade level champions, elementary team and middle school teams to qualify for state
Grades K-4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9-12
Elementary team K-5, Middle School team 6-8

Play live tournaments online.

01/22/2026

Ruth Scott the 2026 Coquille Valley Elementary School Champion!

Wednesday, January 21st, while classes were taught at Coquille Valley Elementary School, 31 students from all grades were excused intermittently to compete in five rounds of chess of chess games to determine the school and grade level champions.

Ruth defeated each of her opponents for all five rounds and was the clear winner of the School Chess Champion. She has been participating in nearly every chess club followed by an hour of advanced lessons. She has been competing in major scholastic chess tournaments including the recent K-12 National Grade Level Championships.

Second place over all went to Logan Gibbs. Logan managed to use the scholars mate in his first three games, but Ruth did not fall for that trap and skillfully beat him for his only loss in the tournament. Logan is Ruth's strongest chess rival yet good friend. They frequently compete to see who is better.

The strongest players will be invited to form the Elementary Chess Team to compete in the Chess for Success Coos Curry Regional Tournament scheduled February 7th at the Coquille High School Library. Grade level champions will be invited as well to compete for individual qualifiers.

Coquille Valley Elementary chess players grade level champions are:
6th grade: Ben Holbrook
5th grade: Silas Lenninger, Benson Strong and Lucas Powell
4th grade: Ruth Scott (with Logan Gibbs second place over all and second place for 4th grade)
3rd grade: Ezechial Persson
2nd grade: Liam Deleon

01/11/2026

Quad chess tournament today 12:30 p.m. January 11th Sunday at Coquille High School Cafeteria (lower parking lot). All ages, $5 registration, $10 to first place but mostly to have fun and qualify for Seaside in April, the funnest tournament according to kids, even more fun than Nationals!! USCF membership required. I can get scholastic membership for $12.50. Would love to have some adults and alumni challenge our scholastic players!!

12/22/2025

K-12 National Championships in Spokane Washington

Five current and previous South Coast scholastic chess players took on the challenge of competing in the K-12 National Chess Championships held for the first time in twenty years on the West Coast. It was only a ten hour drive to attend the Championships held in Spokane Washington. The joined 1400 scholastic players who braved the tough competition.

Misha von Dassow, tenth grade from Coos Bay attended early to participate in the Blitz tournament Thursday and then took on Grandmaster Magesh Panchanathem in a twenty person simultaneous event. Then it was on to the three day, seven rounds of chess with the time control of each player having 90 minutes with a ten second delay for each move allowing games to last up to four hours. Misha was joined by Skyler White-Ross eighth grade from Port Orford, Matrim Tew fifth grade formerly from Bandon, Ruth Scott fourth grade from Coquille and Rand Tew third grade formerly from Bandon. The schedule was grueling and the competition was tough against some of the best grade level players from across the nation.

Misha von Dassow won four out of seven games and earned a medal as he won first place for tenth grade rated under 1700 Class. He found the event motivating and hopes to improve his skills to compete in more National events.

Although the other four did not win any prizes, they did manage some game wins against the toughest players of the nation and found the experience invaluable. They did find some time to explore the exciting Spokane Riverfront, meet some new people from across the nation and learned a lot.