Southern California Chess Federation

The Southern California Chess Federation (SCCF) is the officially recognized affiliate of the United States Chess Federation (USCF) for the southern California area.

Rostomyan Clear First Place at the SCO

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SCCF congratulates FM Mikayel Rostomyan on winning the SoCal State open edging GM Ali Marandi, IM Costello, and IM Bryant by half a point. FM Rostomyan is a new arrival to Glendale from Armenia and will be seeded to the 2025 State Championship invitational.

Lu is First and Scores a GM Norm



IM Ming Lu just won clear first place at the North American Junior Championship in Calgary Canada with a score of 8-1. IM Lu also scored a GM norm by winning the North American Junior Championship. Results here.

e-Voting is Open, Vote Today!

e-ballot box

SCCF e-Voting for the 2024 election of six Board of Directors is now open. Note: This year we have seven candidates. If you are a current or recently expired SCCF member, you should have received an email today that includes your 2- to 4-digit SCCF ID# and a 6-digit Voter PIN. These are your login credentials. If you did not receive these and want to vote -- or if your membership is long expired and you want to vote and start getting a print copy of Rank & File -- join/renew your membership here, then contact us here. The Voter Home Page is here. e-Voting closes end of day Aug. 31, 2024. If you prefer, you can vote in-person at the SoCal Open, flyer here.

SoCal Scores at the National Tournament of State Champions

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Exciting news from the conclusion of the National Tournament of State Champions. Angela Liu (National Tournament of Girls State Champions), and Glenn Zhang (National Tournament of Elementary School State Champions) each won third place netting a scholarship and a cash prize. SCCF President Ala'a Mossa finished the National Tournament of Senior State Champions undefeated with draws against IM Khmelnitsky and GM Fedorowicz top and 3rd seed, respectively. Moreover, Brandon Marzban tied for 1st Class B prize at the US Open. Full results here.

Vladimir Akopian is Top U.S. Senior

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SCCF board congratulates GM Vladimir Akopian on winning the 2024 US Senior Championship in Saint Louis. See IM Shylyakhtenko's article here.

Khachiyan Wins 50+ Gold



SCCF board congratulates GM Melik Khachiyan for winning a Gold medal at the Fide World Senior Team Chess Championship 50+, and going undefeated. Results here.

GM "JJ" Ali Marandi wins SoCal State Championship Title



SCCF Board congratulates GM Ali Marandi for winning the 2024 Southern California Chess Championship title and trophy. GM Vladimir Akopian tied Ali Marandi for first on 5-2 so split the prize money, but was edged out of the title and trophy on tiebreaks. Both are seen here with SCCF President Ala'a Moussa. Details here, here, and here.



The 2024 Southern California State Championship is June 13-16, 2024 at the Temecula Chess Club, details here.



SCCF Board congratulates Esther Jou for winning the U2300 section at the 2024 National Open in Las Vegas.



SCCF congratulates IM Ming Lu on being one of the seven recipients of the 2024 Scholar-Chessplayer Awards.



2024 SCCF BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION

The Southern California Chess Federation is seeking nominations to fill six seats that are up for election on the Board of Directors. All SCCF members in good standing are eligible. If you are interested in helping direct the future of our federation by being on the Board of Directors, submit your name and a brief statement of why you are running to SCCF President Alaa-addin Mousa by July 31st. Results will be tallied and announced at the SCCF general assembly during the State Open on September 2nd. Candidates & their statements here.



SCCF proudly presents the Spring 2024 issue of Rank & File here.



SCCF board congratulates IM Kirk Ghazarian for earning his 3rd GM norm! Chess Life Online article here.



SCCF board congratulates IM John Bryant on his first-place tie with GM Mikaelyan and GM Ghaemmaghami at the 58th annual American Open held in Garden Grove from Nov. 21 to Nov. 27 2023.



SCCF board congratulates GM Melikset Khachiyan on his triumph at the 2023 US Senior Championship held in Saint Louis, MO in July, and for making the cover of the November issue of Chess Life".

Rank & File Editor

The Southern California Chess Federation is seeking an editor for Rank & File. The position is open until filled. Compensation will be $1,000 per issue. Applicants should send a letter of interest and a vita with relevant chess and editing education/experience to garden909@aol.com

SCCF State Championship Prize Fund Increase

The SCCF is proud to announce that the prize fund for the 2019 State Championship has been incrreased by $2,000! The new total is $6,000.

Standings, pairings and round time are listed here.

SCCF State Championship Live Coverage

The State Championship is this Thursday through Sunday at the Temecula Chess Club. If you can't make it out in person, check out TCC's live coverage of the action here. Click on the event name to switch between rounds and games.

Standings, pairings and round time are listed here.

Southern California 2020 Online Open & State Championship

Tournament info here.

EF is a $100 flat rate for all sections, ratings and ages.

All sections, ratings and ages:
Full name:
USCF ID No.:

SCCF will be issuing refunds of $30 in the form of a prize payment to anyone who purchases a SCCF Membership too (e.g. they actually save money by purchasing a membership).

San Diego Surfers Chess Camp

Join upcoming events

Pacific Coast Open:
TLA, Online Entry & Advance Entries here

Western Class Championships TLA, Online Entry & Advance Entries here

2024 Junior / Senior Open: TLA, Online Entry, & Advance Entries here. Flyer here.

Memorial Day Classic: TLA here. Online Entry & Advance Entries here

Pacific Southwest Open TLA here. Online Entry & Advance Entries here

San Diego County Championships TLA here. No online Entry.

Southern California Open TLA here. Online Entry & Advance Entries here

LA Open TLA here.

American Open TLA here.

Dreaming King Open TLA here | Online Entry & Advance Entries here

SoCal 2025 SuperStates
Scholastic & Senior (50+) State Chess Championship: TLA, Online Entry & Advance Entries here