Washington Chess Federation

♟️ About Washington Chess Federation

Washington Chess Federation (WCF) is the statewide chess organization for Washington, United States. Founded in 1946, it supports and promotes organized chess throughout the state and serves as Washington’s state affiliate within the US Chess structure. WCF coordinates rated tournaments, state championships, scholastic competition, women’s chess, regional matches, memberships, and representation of Washington players within the wider US chess community. The federation operates an extensive tournament calendar for adults, juniors, and scholastic players. Its major events include the Washington Open, Washington State Championship, Washington Senior Championship, Washington Women’s Championship, Challenger’s Cup, rapid and blitz championships, scholastic tournaments, and invitational competitions. Moreover, WCF works with local clubs, academies, tournament directors, Northwest Chess, and partner organizations to expand rated competition across the Seattle metropolitan area and the wider state. NM Josh Sinanan is the current President and principal operational contact of the Washington Chess Federation. He has served on the WCF board since 2008 and has led the federation for many years as an organizer, coach, and tournament director. During 2026, WCF organized the Washington Open, state championship competitions, scholastic events, and the annual Washington–British Columbia match. It is also preparing to co-host the 21st Susan Polgar Foundation National Open for Girls and Boys in Bellevue in November.

📜 History and Statewide Role

Washington Chess Federation has promoted organized chess in the state since 1946. Historical WCF publications from the late 1940s already documented federation membership, statewide tournaments, club participation, and governance. Over time, WCF became the principal statewide structure connecting Washington chess clubs, tournament organizers, rated players, and US Chess. Its role includes supporting official competition and helping coordinate state representatives and delegates. Today, the federation works closely with Northwest Chess, which provides tournament calendars, regional coverage, registration infrastructure, and chess news for Washington and neighboring states. WCF also maintains memberships for players who participate in many federation events.

🏆 Major Tournament Activity

The Washington Open is one of WCF’s flagship annual competitions. The 2026 edition took place from May 23–25 in Redmond and featured Elite, Premier, Rising, and Dynamos sections together with several side events. The Elite field included grandmasters, international masters, FIDE masters, national masters, and strong regional players. Additional events during the Washington Open weekend included rapid, blitz-style formats, Bughouse, and other activities designed to create a broader chess festival. WCF also organizes the Washington State Championship, which uses invitational sections such as Invitational, Challengers, Rising Stars, Prodigies, Wizards, and Sensations. This structure creates progression opportunities for both established masters and developing players.

🎓 Scholastic, Youth and Women’s Chess

Youth chess is a major part of WCF’s activity. In March 2026, the federation co-hosted the WCF Spring Scholastic in Bothell with Monroe Chess Club. The event featured five sections covering players from kindergarten through grade 12. WCF also maintains dedicated scholastic and women-and-girls leadership positions within its board structure. This gives youth and female-player development a defined place within federation administration rather than treating those areas only as individual events. A major upcoming project is the 21st Susan Polgar Foundation National Open for Girls and Boys, scheduled for November 7–8, 2026 at Hilton Bellevue. WCF is co-hosting the event with the Susan Polgar Foundation, while Josh Sinanan serves as Chief Organizer. The championship includes K–5, K–8, and K–12 Open and Girls sections together with additional scholastic events and activities.

🌎 Regional and International Connections

Washington chess has strong ties with neighboring British Columbia. The annual Washington vs. British Columbia Match continues a long regional tradition between players from the United States and Canada. In September 2026, Team Washington won the latest match 33–22.5. Josh Sinanan coordinated the Washington team, while WCF and the British Columbia Chess Federation supported the event. WCF also helps bring internationally rated chess to Washington. Many of its larger tournaments include FIDE-rated sections, and the federation works with titled players, arbiters, academies, and national organizers.

🏛️ Organization and Leadership

Josh Sinanan serves as President. Current board officers also include Duane Polich and Rekha Sagar as Co-Vice Presidents, Robert Allen as Treasurer, Chouchanik Airapetian as Women and Girls Director/Secretary, and Valentin Razmov as Tournament Coordinator. WCF additionally maintains roles for scholastic chess, FIDE liaison, community programs, collegiate chess, junior ambassadors, registration, and event management. For general organizer correspondence, tournament questions, and partnership enquiries, Josh Sinanan remains the most useful primary contact.