he 109th Edward Lasker Memorial / Marshall Chess Club Championship takes place December 18–21, 2025, at the historic Marshall Chess Club in New York City. A prestigious annual event, it crowns the Club Champion and offers FIDE-rated play, strong prizes, and a legacy tribute to Edward Lasker.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | December 18–21, 2025 |
| 📍 Location | Marshall Chess Club, 23 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10011, USA |
| ♟️ Format | 7-Round Swiss; G/90 + 30″ time control |
| 💵 Entry Fee | $100 (early) • $125 (regular) • $150 (late) — Championship section open only to eligible MCC members |
| 🏆 Prize Fund | $10,000 guaranteed |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated & US Chess rated |
| ✅ Eligibility | MCC members rated 2100+ (USCF/FIDE), titled players, and qualifiers from MCC Women, Senior, and Amateur events |
🏆 Prize Fund & Breakdown
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $5,000 |
| 2nd | $2,500 |
| 3rd | $1,000 |
| 4th | $500 |
| Additional class prizes | U2300 and U2100 categories |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Time control: 90 minutes for the game with 30-second increment from move 1.
Format: 7-round Swiss.
Pairings follow standard Swiss rules; accelerated pairings possible in early rounds.
Strict registration deadlines; no day-of entries accepted.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility | Rounds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | MCC members rated 2100+ or qualifiers | 7 | FIDE rated |
| Amateur/Senior/Other | MCC members and invited players | 5 or shorter | Subsidiary parallel events |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Round |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Dec 18 | 7:00 PM | Round 1 |
| Fri, Dec 19 | 12:00 PM & 6:00 PM | Rounds 2 & 3 |
| Sat, Dec 20 | 12:00 PM & 6:00 PM | Rounds 4 & 5 |
| Sun, Dec 21 | 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM | Rounds 6 & 7; Closing Ceremony |
📝 Registration
Online registration via the Marshall Chess Club.
Entry fee schedule: $100 early (until Nov 23), $125 (Nov 24–Dec 7), $150 (Dec 8–Dec 17).
Championship section restricted to MCC members who meet rating or qualification requirements.
Refunds not available once play begins.
👥 Organizer
The Marshall Chess Club, founded in 1915, is one of the most historic chess institutions in the United States. The club has hosted countless masters and champions, and its annual Championship is a highlight of the chess calendar in New York.
Email: info@marshallchessclub.org
Phone: (212) 477-3716
Website: https://www.marshallchessclub.org
🏨 Venue
Marshall Chess Club
23 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10011, USA
A historic townhouse in Greenwich Village, the Marshall Chess Club provides an intimate and traditional setting for world-class chess competition.
🛎️ Accommodation
Numerous hotels within walking distance in Manhattan.
Public transport access via nearby subway stations.
Players are advised to book accommodation early due to holiday-season demand in New York City.
🚗 How to Get There
By Air: Major airports: JFK, LaGuardia, Newark. Easy access via train, shuttle, or taxi.
By Train: Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station provide regional/national rail access.
By Subway: A, B, C, D, E, F, M lines serve Greenwich Village area.
By Car: Limited parking in Manhattan; rideshare and public transport recommended.
Celebrate history and excellence at the 109th Edward Lasker Memorial — the Marshall Chess Club Championship — a blend of tradition, strength, and legacy in the heart of New York City.
Organizer
The Marshall Chess Club stands as one of the oldest and most prestigious chess institutions in the United States, having fostered over-the-board competition and innovation since its founding by World Champion Frank J. Marshall in 1915. Nestled in the heart of Manhattan’s West Village, the club cultivates a vibrant atmosphere where beginners and seasoned masters alike come to test their skills, exchange ideas, and celebrate the richness of chess culture. Each year, the club hosts a robust calendar of events, including the monthly Premier FIDE Weekend Opens, the U2000 and U2200 Swiss tournaments, the New York International Invitational, scholastic quads, and rapid- and blitz-format showdowns. These tournaments attract a diverse field of competitors—from rising juniors seeking their first norms to seasoned experts pursuing title norms—ensuring that every weekend brings fresh strategic battles and learning opportunities.
Beyond its marquee events, the Marshall Chess Club operates as a dynamic training and community center, offering master-level lectures, coaching clinics, and summer camps designed to develop players’ tactical prowess and positional understanding. The club’s team of International Arbiters and titled instructors leads structured training sessions, simuls, and analysis groups that spotlight cutting-edge opening theory and endgame technique. Community outreach programs extend the club’s impact into local schools and underserved neighborhoods, promoting chess as a tool for critical thinking, confidence building, and academic enrichment. With its storied brownstone venue, historic library of rare chess literature, and commitment to inclusivity, the Marshall Chess Club continues to shape the next generation of champions while preserving a living legacy at the forefront of American chess.