The Fery Group
The Willamette Classic

Mid-Willamette Valley, Oregon · Held June 27th, 2026

The Willamette Classic.

Inaugural Open Chess Tournament · Salem, OR · Sponsored by The Fery Group

View Final Standings
Players18Competed
Format5 RoundsG/30 d5 Time Control
Prize Pool$800Cash Prizes
Location & DateSalem, ORJune 27, 2026

Why chess

One of humanity's most enduring games.

Chess has been played for over 1,500 years across every culture on earth. It's more than a game, it's a discipline. Players develop strategic thinking, pattern recognition, patience, and decision-making under pressure. Skills that transfer into business, academics, and life.

Today chess is experiencing a global renaissance. Driven by streaming culture, youth programs, and high-profile tournaments, the game has never had broader mainstream appeal. Community events like The Willamette Classic are at the heart of that growth, bringing serious play to a welcoming, local stage.

The 2026 Willamette Classic was held June 27th at Rudy's Garden Shop in Salem, OR, bringing together 18 players for a day of competitive chess rooted in strategy, community, and the kind of thoughtful local culture Salem is proud of.

Final Standings · June 27, 2026

Tournament Champion: Robert Isaac Chappell · 5.0/5 · Perfect Score
Place Name Rating Pts
1Robert Isaac Chappell18925.0
2Teddy Lawrence9594.0
3Jaden Marx18623.5*
4Eli Joseph Dollinger17123.5*
5Dallas Samson12713.0*
6Issam S Rifai14953.0*
Prize cutoff  ·  7th to 18th place
7 to 9Roger Wood14323.0
7 to 9Tyler J Bontrager9453.0
7 to 9Cristian P Martinez8123.0
10 to 14Scott Christensen12432.0
10 to 14Ken Samuel Kyllingmark11912.0
10 to 14Albert John Eschler9872.0
10 to 14Kevin Wilsonunr.2.0
10 to 14Geoff Hutchinsonunr.2.0
15Stuart Eschlerunr.1.5
16 to 17Daniel Dollinger9591.0
16 to 17Autumn Walterunr.1.0
18Winter Turner7680.5

* Place determined by 5-minute blitz playoff tiebreaker

Official sponsors

A word from the Lead Sponsor

Max Fery
Max Fery
Founder, The Fery Group LLC

I learned to play chess from my mom at the age of 7.

I didn't know it at the time, but the noble game was quietly teaching me one of the most valuable lessons of my life: always think a step ahead.

That mindset has followed me into everything. How I approach business, how I solve problems, how I build things from the ground up. Chess didn't just teach me strategy, it shaped the way I think forever.

The Willamette Classic is my way of giving that back.

600M+
Chess players worldwide
1,500+
Years of recorded history
$800
Prize pool · prorated by registration
18
Competitive players
5
Rounds of play

Prize structure

Up to $800 cash: Prorated based on paid registration.

Every one of the 18 players walks away with something. Prize pool is prorated based on final registration, up to $800 cash at full capacity. Cash prizes for the top six finishers, Brick Barn PNW gift cards for all players, and Star Scrum Pro subscriptions for everyone.

1st Place
$300
+ LEGO Traditional Chess Set (set #40719) ($75 value)
+ Star Scrum Pro: 1 Year
+ Trophy
2nd Place
$200
+ $25 Brick Barn gift card
+ Star Scrum Pro: 6 Months
3rd Place
$150
+ $10 Brick Barn gift card
+ Star Scrum Pro: 3 Months
4th Place
$75
+ $5 Brick Barn gift card
+ Star Scrum Pro: 1 Month
All players
Brick Barn PNW Gift Card
Star Scrum Pro
5th Place: $50 + $5 gift card  ·  6th Place: $25 + $5 gift card  ·  7th to 18th: $5 Brick Barn gift card  ·  Every player receives a Star Scrum Pro subscription. Everyone goes home with something.
Place
Cash
Brick Barn PNW
Star Scrum Pro
1st
$300
LEGO Chess Set #40719
1 Year
2nd
$200
$25 Gift Card
6 Months
3rd
$150
$10 Gift Card
3 Months
4th
$75
$5 Gift Card
1 Month
5th
$50
$5 Gift Card
1 Month
6th
$25
$5 Gift Card
1 Month
7th to 18th
-
$5 Gift Card
1 Month
Prize pool
Up to $800 cash: Prorated based on paid registration

Tournament structure

How it works.

A single-day Swiss System tournament, five rounds of rated chess. Every player competes in all five rounds regardless of wins or losses. The format rewards consistency and strategy over a single game, with pairings adjusted each round based on cumulative scores.

01
Format
Swiss System · 18 players · 5 rounds (Open player field, non-USCF members welcome)
All 18 players compete in all 5 rounds. Pairings are updated each round based on cumulative score. Final standings determine prizes. Affiliated with Salem Chess Club.
02
Time control
G/30 d5: 30 minutes per player with 5-second delay
Each player starts with 30 minutes on the clock. A 5-second delay is applied before the clock starts counting on each move, so games are decided by chess, not clock panic.
03
Prize pool
Up to $800 cash: Prorated based on paid registration
Prize pool is prorated based on final registration. At 18 paid players: 1st $300 · 2nd $200 · 3rd $150 · 4th $75 · 5th $50 · 6th $25. All 18 participants receive a Brick Barn PNW gift card and Star Scrum Pro subscription.
04
Venue
Rudy's Garden Shop · Salem OR
1288 State St. SE, Salem OR 97301. Hosted in the garden shop space, with 9 boards running simultaneously. Brick Barn PNW on-site table during lunch break and post-event.
05
Entry
$25 Early Bird · $30 Regular · Open to all
Early Bird: Now to May 9th ($25) · Regular: May 10 to Jun 25 @ 5PM ($30). Capped at 18 players, first come, first served. Open to all, no USCF membership required.
06
Open, Engaging, and Fun
30-second entrance montages · Creative costumes welcomed
Every player enters Round 1 with their own 30-second entrance montage set to their music of choice. Express yourself. Creative costumes are welcomed and encouraged. Chess is serious. Your entrance doesn't have to be.

Day-of schedule.

Start
Event
9:00 AM
Doors Open · Player Check-In
9:30 AM
Player Briefing · Round 1 Pairings Posted
9:50 AM
Player Entrance Montage (Optional)
10:00 AM
Round 1: All 18 players
11:30 AM
Round 2: Score-based pairings
12:45 PM
Lunch Break · Brick Barn & Rudy's Garden Showcase
1:15 PM
Round 3: Score-based pairings
2:45 PM
Round 4: Score-based pairings
4:00 PM
Round 5: Final round
5:30 PM
Awards Ceremony · Top 6 Announced
6:00 PM
Close

Rules & tiebreakers.

Eligibility & registration
The Willamette Classic is open to all players, no USCF membership required. Registration closes June 25 at 5:00 PM or when the 18-player cap is reached, whichever comes first.
1This is an open event. No USCF membership is required to participate.
2Players under 18 must submit a signed parental consent form at check-in.
3Players under 13 must have a parent or guardian present on-site for the full duration.
4Registration is capped at 18 players, first-come first-served. Cutoff is June 25 at 5:00 PM.
5This is an unrated event. Games will not be submitted to USCF for rating purposes.
Tiebreakers
Tiebreakers are resolved by the tied players' choice: a blitz playoff, or a combined prize split between the tied positions.
6When players are tied at the end of the tournament, both options are presented: a blitz playoff to determine placement, or an equal split of the combined prize value for the tied positions.
7Both tied players must agree on the resolution method. If no agreement is reached, the Tournament Director will determine the method.
Draws & stalemates
In the Swiss System, a draw scores 0.5 points for each player. No coin flips, chess decides.
8Stalemate is an immediate draw, each player scores 0.5 points.
9The USCF 7th Edition Rulebook will be followed for all cases of draws.
Play rules
10Touch-move applies per USCF 7th Edition Rule 10B: a player who deliberately touches a piece must move or capture it if legal. To adjust a piece without moving it, the player must first say "I adjust" before touching it.
11All electronic devices must be completely powered off at the table. No phones, smartwatches, or any electronic device may be active during play.
12Tournament Director ruling is final. Appeals before the next round only.
13Chess notation is not required. Players are welcome but not obligated to record their moves.
Conduct
14Spectators must remain silent and at a reasonable distance from active boards.
15Unsportsmanlike conduct results in disqualification at TD's sole discretion.
16Results are final once signed off by both players on the result slip.

Community Partnership & Sponsorship

Join The Willamette Classic.

We're inviting Salem-area businesses and community partners to sponsor the inaugural Willamette Classic. Sponsorship is a direct investment in local culture, your brand alongside Salem's premier community chess event, in front of engaged players, families, and spectators.

Gold tier is partially claimed by Star Scrum and Brick Barn PNW. Platinum, Silver, and Bronze slots are open. Every sponsor receives recognition at the event, in all promotional materials, and in outreach to the Salem Chess Club community.

Platinum 2 of 5 claimed
$100
  • Logo on all event signage & flyers
  • Named prize category ("presented by [you]")
  • Verbal recognition at awards ceremony
  • Featured in all email & social promotion
  • On-site table or display presence
  • Logo on tournament bracket board
Gold 1 of 5 claimed
$50
  • Logo on event flyers & signage
  • Mention at awards ceremony
  • Highlighted in all email & social promotion
  • Included in email promotion
  • Social media shoutout
Silver
$25
  • Name on event program
  • Social media mention
  • Included in email promotion
  • Community recognition
Bronze
$10
  • Name on event program
  • Community supporter recognition

Thank you

The 2026 Willamette Classic is complete.

Congratulations to all 18 participants, and a special thank you to our sponsors, The Fery Group, Star Scrum, Brick Barn PNW, Rudy's Garden Shop, and CMBTrades, for making Salem's inaugural community chess tournament a success.

Salem's Premier Community Chess Tournament · Sponsored by The Fery Group LLC · June 27, 2026