Pride In the Club

Good morning chess players. We’re back for another week of chess. June has been full of rapid chess with our monthly Club Rapid, Premiere 15|10 and the Pride Month Rapid all taking space as we slow down into the summer haze. But, it’s time to pick things back up a little. We’re finishing June off in style with our monthly Club Blitz, followed by the first 9 round 3|2 Premiere Blitz of 2026 on 7/7.

Reminder! Tonight is the monthly Club Blitz Tournament at Nook! Join us 7pm for seven rounds of 5|2 blitz Swiss, $20 with prizes for all skill levels.

You can see the full list of July events below, so mark your calendars for your favorite nights and come through. Reminder all tournaments are now double section, one for pros and one for beginners. Anyone of any level always welcome!

Pride Month Rapid Set the Standard

At the first of it’s kind Pride Month Rapid, cohosted by our friend and sister club Sapphics Chess Club organizer Sam Sharf, saw a steady turnout with a total of 31 players competing for prizes, along with the coveted Top Sapphic/Non-Sapphic trophies to celebrate our queer family at the club.

With an open tournament, five rounds of rapid sat the field average of 1560 on a goose chase to catch FM Juan Pereyra. But after five rounds he again stood undefeated in the format, taking home top player. FM Pereyra stands now at 2387 NYCR, nearing the coveted 2400 NYCR highlight spot. Second Place went to newcomer Sarkis Agaian on 4/5, finishing the event rated 1918 NYCR. Third Place went to Simon Schmidt on 4/5, gaining 85 rating!

U2000 and the Top Non-Sapphic trophy went to 1836 rated Atharva Washimkar on 3.5/5, gaining 21 rating. U1800 went to 1686 rated Ratan Chinni on 3.5/5, while Top Unrated went to newcomer Masayuki Nagase on 3.5/5, ending the event rated 1812 NYCR. Top Sapphic went to 1730 rated Sam Sharf on 3/5. U1600 went to 1546 rated Justin Choi on 2/5, while U1400 went to 1188 rated Nicole Benito on 2/5, gaining 24 rating.

And that’s it for this week chess players! Join us tonight for more chess and be sure to check our socials HERE. Much love chess players, see you over the board soon. You can find your updated NYC Rating HERE.