Among them will also be several of the top youngsters in the U.S., including Dmitry Schneider from New Rochelle and Samson Benen of New York City, the Number 3 and Number 4 players in the country under age 12. Schneider and Benen, both 11, are already both accomplished National Chess Experts, and have each defeated several Masters in rated tournaments. There are six separate divisions in the tournament for all levels of players, beginners, intermediates and Masters, and the lower divisions in particular attract many young players. Some players, adults as well as children, will even be playing in their very first chess tournament. The main playing schedule begins at 1 pm Saturday August 31st and continues until Monday evening.
Spectators are welcome throughout the weekend.
In addition to the State Championship, Saratoga will also host the 5th Annual Action Chess Championship, at 7 pm Friday August 30th. Unlike the slower-paced State Championship, the players in the Action Tournament have only 30 minutes each for the entire game. The New York State Championship is the oldest annual chess tournament in the country, and is, in fact, one of the longest running annual chess tournaments in the entire world. The first New York State Chess Championship was held in 1878.