The chess boards are ready. The clocks are set. And on August 16–17, 2025, Hotel 116 in Bellevue, Washington, will become the battlefield for some of the Pacific Northwest’s sharpest chess minds.
This year’s Seattle Chess Classic is more than just another weekend tournament. It’s a high-stakes, two-day test of focus, skill, and endurance. Players from seasoned masters to hungry young prodigies will compete for glory, cash, and bragging rights.
Two Sections, One Goal: Victory
The event features two sections:
- Tiglon Open – the top section, open to all ratings.
- Seirawan U1600 – for players rated under 1600.
The format is a 6-round Swiss with three games per day: 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 6 p.m. Time control? G/90 with a 30-second increment, giving players just enough breathing room to think, but not enough to nap.
With a maximum of 110 players, spots are limited, and most serious players know that registering early is the first move toward victory.
$6,500 in Prizes – and More Than Just Money
The total prize fund is a hefty $6,500 (based on 100 paid entries). Top finishers in the Tiglon Open will pocket $730, $640, and $550 for first, second, and third. Class prizes await those rated under 2100, 1900, or 1700, with similar rewards for U1500, U1300, and U1100 players. Even unrated competitors have a shot at $200.
But this tournament isn’t just about who scores the most points. Special awards will keep things lively:
- Biggest Upset Win: $40 each round.
- Best Female Player: $100.
- Best Senior Player: $100.
- Best Dressed: $25 a day, because style matters, even at the board.
Big Names and Rising Stars
As of August 12, the Tiglon Open roster is stacked. At the top, Aziz Degenbaev (2395) is back, the defending champion from last year’s edition, where he scored 5/6 in a tough field. His performance in 2024 proved he could handle pressure, including a key draw against Siddarth Meen Sundaram and a win over Megan Lee.
Chasing him is a pack of dangerous challengers:
- FM Ryan Porter (2298), a mathematician in chess circles.
- Vedic Panda (2283), young but fearless.
- Vidip Kona (2246), who took third place last year with his sharp, fighting style.
- Viktors Pupols (2200), a living legend in Northwest chess.
But don’t overlook the next generation. Eight-year-old Luca Tessiore (2111), five-year-old Akim Pikh (1966), and six-year-old Odbayar Yondon (1929) are part of a wave of young talent who could cause major upsets.
And in true Pacific Northwest fashion, the mix includes everyone from grandmaster-level adults to elementary school students with nothing to lose and everything to prove.
A Look Back: 2024’s Top Finishers
Last year’s edition saw some thrilling games:
- Aziz Degenbaev – 5.0/6, unbeaten and unstoppable.
- Matthew Wilber – another 5.0/6, showing remarkable consistency.
- Vidip Kona – 4.5/6, fearless against higher-rated foes.
The event proved that the Seattle Chess Classic isn’t predictable, even top seeds can stumble, and lower seeds can rise.
More Than Just a Tournament
The Seattle Chess Classic is triple-rated: NWSRS, US Chess, and FIDE, making it one of the most valuable events in the region for rating-hungry players. It’s also run with precision by the Washington Chess Federation, led by tournament director Josh Sinanan.
For many, it’s also a social event. Friends reconnect, coaches watch their students fight over the board, and Bellevue becomes a buzzing hub of chess chatter for the weekend. Whether you’re playing or just spectating, the atmosphere is electric, the kind where every click of the chess clock makes hearts race.
How to Join the Action
Registration is online at Northwest Chess, with payment accepted via SettleKing, Zelle, or Venmo. The entry fee is $125 by August 9, $150 afterward, with a $50 play-up fee for those rated 1500–1599 who want to join the Tiglon Open. Seniors (50+) get a 50% discount, and titled players (GM, IM, WGM, WIM, or US Chess 2300+) play for free.
But don’t wait, the deadline is August 15 at 5 p.m., and unpaid players will be dropped from the roster.
Bellevue will host two days of tension, tactics, and triumph. When the clocks start ticking on August 16, every move will matter.
I’m the senior editor of Attacking Chess, a keen chess player, rated above 2300 in chess.com. You can challenge me or asking questions at Chess.com.
