147th New York State Championship: A Complete Guide

The 147th Annual New York State Championship, America’s oldest continuously running chess tournament, will take place this Labor Day weekend from Friday, August 29 to Monday, September 1, 2025 at the Albany Marriott. Organized by the Continental Chess Association, the event stands as a cornerstone of U.S. chess, attracting grandmasters, rising juniors, and enthusiastic amateurs alike.

This year’s edition carries the weight of history. Since its first staging in the late 19th century, the New York State Championship has been held without interruption, outlasting wars, economic crises, and global upheavals. In 2025, the tournament once again promises high-level competition, generous prizes, and a celebration of chess as both sport and tradition.

A Heritage Event with a Modern Touch

The New York State Championship is officially recognized as a US Chess Heritage Event. It is not just a local competition but also a Grand Prix, Enhanced Grand Prix, and Junior Grand Prix event, offering 150 Grand Prix points—a boost for players chasing year-long US Chess circuit standings.

The Albany Marriott, located at 189 Wolf Road just off the New York Thruway (Exit 24), has long been the venue of choice, offering free parking, a complimentary airport shuttle, and proximity to restaurants. With chess-friendly rates for attendees, the hotel becomes a familiar gathering ground for the state’s chess community every Labor Day.

Format and Time Controls

The main championship is a 6-round Swiss system (6-SS) event. Players can choose from three different schedules: a four-day format starting Friday evening, a three-day option beginning Saturday, or a two-day accelerated schedule for U2100 and below sections.

• Championship Section (rating 1900+): 40 moves in 80 minutes, then 30 minutes sudden death, with a 30-second increment from move one.
• Two-day option (U2100 and below): The first three rounds are G/40 with a 10-second delay, before merging with the main schedule.

All sections except Under 1200 are FIDE-rated, ensuring international recognition of results.

$18,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund

The tournament will feature a guaranteed $18,000 prize pool across five sections:

• Championship (1900+): $2000–1200–900–600; Top U2300 $800–400. State title plus $100 bonus to the top New York resident (on tiebreak if tied).
• Under 2100: $1200–700–500–300; Top U1900/Unrated $400–200.
• Under 1800: $1000–700–400–300; Top U1600 $400–200.
• Under 1500: $900–600–300–200; Top U1300 $400–200.
• Under 1200: $700–400–300–200; Top U1000 $200–100.

Special rules apply for unrated players, who face prize caps, and for entrants who scored highly in the 2025 World Open. To maintain fairness, players cannot compete in sections more than 100 points below their official online regular rating.

One of the event’s most beloved traditions is the Mixed Doubles Bonus Prize, rewarding the best male–female team across all sections: $600–400–200. Teams must register before round two, but may play in different sections.

Side Events: Blitz and Lectures

The championship is not only about long games. On Sunday night, August 31, players will compete in the 11th New York State Blitz Championship, an eight-game double-round Swiss (G/3, d2). The blitz carries its own $800 prize fund and Grand Prix points.

Adding to the festive spirit, legendary New York International Master Jay Bonin—the “Iron Man of Chess”—will give a free lecture at 9 AM on Monday, September 1. Bonin is a perennial figure at New York events, with thousands of tournament games to his name, and his sessions are always a highlight.

Last Year’s Champions

The 2024 edition saw a mix of veteran strength and youthful energy.

• GM Jianchao Zhou (MA) won outright with a perfect 6/6, taking home the $2000 first prize.
• GM Joel Benjamin (NJ), a U.S. legend, tied for second with FM William Graif (NY). Graif’s performance also earned him the title of 2024 New York State Champion.
• Rising stars like Eric Z Feng, Linxi Zhu, and Bobby Qian impressed, each scoring 4.5/6.
• Bonin himself, never far from the top boards, shared 4th–8th place and claimed Under-2300 honors.

These results underline the tournament’s dual nature: it attracts seasoned grandmasters, yet remains a proving ground for ambitious juniors eager to make a mark.

Who Will Claim the 2025 Crown?

The Championship Section is expected to feature grandmasters, international masters, and a deep pool of masters and experts. The defending state champion, FM William Graif, will face pressure to hold his title against both established names and rising New York talents.

The inclusion of out-of-state players ensures that New Yorkers must battle hard for the state crown, awarded to the highest-placed resident. With the likes of Benjamin and Zhou often entering, local players need strong nerves and consistency to secure the bonus.

Beyond the Chessboard

For many, the New York State Championship is as much a social tradition as a competition. Players return year after year not only to test themselves, but also to reconnect with old rivals, friends, and the state’s broader chess family. Parents bring juniors who compete in lower sections; masters test their preparation for national events; casual enthusiasts enjoy the thrill of competing in America’s oldest running chess tournament.

With free parking, a well-connected venue, and $18,000 in guaranteed prizes, the Albany Marriott will once again transform into a hub of chess culture over Labor Day weekend.

Practical Information

• Venue: Albany Marriott, 189 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12205
• Dates: August 29 – September 1, 2025
• Prize Fund: $18,000 guaranteed
• Sections: Championship, U2100, U1800, U1500, U1200
• Schedules: 4-day, 3-day, 2-day options (no 2-day in Championship)
• Side Events: NYS Blitz Championship (Aug 31, late night), IM Jay Bonin lecture (Sep 1, 9 AM)
• Organizer: William Goichberg, Continental Chess Association
• Chief Arbiter: Steve Immitt (USA)

A Living Legacy

As it enters its 147th year, the New York State Championship continues to honor tradition while adapting to modern competitive standards. Its mix of history, strong competition, and community spirit makes it not just a state championship, but a national chess institution.

When the first moves are made in Albany this Labor Day, the players will not only be competing for prizes and titles—they will be adding their names to a legacy that has been written for nearly a century and a half.