Register for the Las Vegas International Chess Festival - June 16-20, 2021

Hey Everyone,

Throughout this trying period of the pandemic, there is one thing the chess playing community has been looking forward to.  That is, over the board (OTB) Chess.  Online chess is great, but there is nothing like sitting across from a real person and crushing their chess-loving soul.

American Chess Equipment is honored to work with Alan and Janelle Losoff from the National Open.  Al and his wife Janelle have been running the National Open for 20+ years and have been doing their best to make it the best tournament experience from a player’s perspective.  Every year we partner with them and supply them with custom chess boards and pieces.  This year they brought on Glen Panner from Chess Weekend as a partner who will make the experience even better!

This tournament was cancelled twice during the pandemic.  Please remember that organizing a tournament of this size and scope is not an easy thing. Hundreds of hours of work occur before anyone even shows up to a tournament, not to mention the upfront financial cost.  If you think running a tournament is easy…try it.

We are now blessed with a date for the first confirmed OTB major tournament since the pandemic hit.  The National Open runs June 16-20, at the Westgate Casino in Las Vegas, NV.  As of today’s date (April 23), they have 304 people registered.  If my numbers are right, they should be easily north of 500 by the time the tournament rolls about.  Check out the advance registrations here: 

Advance Entries – Las Vegas International Chess Festival (vegaschessfestival.com)

This tournament is a blast.  They have camps, lectures, a women’s and kids’ tournament, a Grandmaster Simul, and even a poker tournament for all of us who want to capture the Vegas spirit.

There will be safety precautions in place. For example, there will only be one game per table, the hotel will be fogging the boards and pieces between rounds, and spectators will be limited.  All city and state guidelines for Covid-19 measures will be followed.  The goal is to make this a safe and successful tournament for everyone involved.

The bookstore will be run by the Rochester Chess Center and Chess4Less and will feature many of American Chess Equipment’s most popular items.  I will be there, and I look forward to seeing you there, too!

Thanks,

Shelby Lohrman

American Chess Equipment
Los Angeles, CA