Calgary's Rated Junior Chess Tournament Season already started! Here is how it went:

The CJCC and Flying Minds Back-to-School Rated Tournament.

As the school year began, so did the excitement on the chessboards at the Flying Minds Centre, where Flying Minds and CJCC (Calgary Junior Chess Centre) teamed up to host the Back-to-School Rated Tournament. With 27 participants across three competitive sections, the event was a perfect way to kick off the season — combining strong play, smooth organization, and an atmosphere filled with energy and growth.

The format was 20 minutes with a 5-second increment, offering the perfect balance of rapid pace and thoughtful calculation. Over five rounds, players put their skills to the test in games that were full of tactical fireworks, positional battles, and exciting endgames. The tournament ran seamlessly from start to finish, thanks to excellent coordination, and parents were thrilled to see their kids not just competing but thriving in this encouraging environment.

Winners by Section

After an action-packed day of chess, here are the standout champions in each section:

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🏆 Beginner Section UNDER 1000 CFC

🥇 1st – Gabriel Wiest

🥈 2nd – Carson John

🥉 3rd – Brennen Yue

Best Girl - Andia Yousefi

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🏆 Intermediate Section 950-1350 CFC

🥇 1st – Renzo Mah

🥈 2nd – Virat Kondaveeti

🥉 3rd – Youqi Chen

Best Girl - Sienna Vu

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🏆 Open Section 1350+ CFC

🥇 1st – Raphael Lee

🥈 2nd – Peihong Yang

🥉 3rd – Kaiser Nguyen

Rounds and Final Score

An interesting draw position with unequal material between Peihong Yang (Black) and Stepan Smaha (White) in round 5, securing Peihong the second place seat.

More Than Just Chess

While the trophies and medals were a highlight, the real success of the day was in the growth, confidence, and joy the kids experienced. Parents were proud to see their children rise to the challenge, while students left with new skills, new friendships, and memories to carry into the school year.

What’s Next?

The Back-to-School Tournament was only the beginning. Flying Minds and CJCC are excited to announce that more rated tournaments are coming soon — giving Calgary’s young players even more opportunities to learn, compete, and shine.

Here is the signup link for the next tournaments: https://www.calgaryjuniorchess.com/CJCC/events/events

Sign up to sharpen your skills for chess classes in the south of Calgary at Flying Minds with coach Bijan D. Shafa: https://www.flyingminds.ca/chess-club