Dear Summer Campers, Families and Partners,
While the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainties it presents for group gatherings continue in our communities, St. Olaf has elected to host LIMITED camps, conferences and events on campus this summer.
At this time, we will not be hosting a OleChess camp this summer.
We appreciate your interest and support of St. Olaf, and we look forward to welcoming a full schedule of camps back to St. Olaf in Summer 2023.
Um yah yah!
The Conferences, Camps and Events Management (CCEM) Team
St. Olaf College
OleChess offers a week of quality instruction and chess-related activities featuring some of the world’s premier players and teachers. Chess players of all ages, abilities, and experience levels will enjoy a week filled with classes, demonstrations, lectures, tournaments, and games, games, and more games with fellow chess enthusiasts.
Minnesota – Premier national chess camp with five class options.
Featuring instruction by GMs Kaidanov, Goldin, Gurevich, Yermolinsky, and Shulman and WGM Baginskaite.
Before camp: OleChess Summer Tournament with $1,050 in prizes, open and reserve sections, 4 round at G/61, d5.
OleChess Camp Sessions:
Campers are assigned to classes based on factors including the camper’s registered section, age and ability. Class assignment decisions rest with the camp staff.
Camp Details
Camp Features
• World’s premier players and teachers
• Variety of class/tournament options
• Demonstrations
• Lectures
• Opportunity to play games with fellow chess enthusiasts
• Supervised recreational activities
Camp Faculty
Each year, Kevin Bachler, OleChess Camp Director, FIDE Master, FIDE Trainer, and US Chess PCC, brings the best available masters to OleChess. Past instructors included: Grandmasters Gregory Kaidanov, Alex Yermolinsky, Yury Shulman, Alexander Goldin, Dmitry Gurevich, WGM Camilla Baginskaite, and FM/FT Kevin Bachler. Every camper will have an opportunity for GM instruction.
Tournaments
• Quick chess tournaments
• “Blitz” tournament
• Ole Bughouse Mania
• OleChess Summer Tournament (day prior to camp start date)
Students from Intensive Study and Chess Exploration participate separately.
Escort Policy
Comprehensive Fee: $300
Participants nine years of age or younger may attend camp with an adult escort. There is a maximum of three campers per escort. The escort fee includes meals and housing in a shared room with the camper.
Additional Events/Class Offerings
General Information
Camp Fee Includes
Lodging, meals, instructional sessions, and camp t-shirt. Campers are housed in comfortable, secure students residence halls. Bedding and bath towel are provided. Instructors and counselors live in the residence halls and provide 24-hour supervision. St. Olaf employs a professional security staff that is on duty 24/7.
Stav Dining Hall
Meals are prepared by Bon Appetit. Healthy options include the salad bar, grilled meats and veggies, and hot entrees, cereals, yogurt, fresh fruit, a deli station, soup, and dessert station. There are plenty of food options for vegetarians, gluten-free, and other specific needs. However, if you have a specific food allergy, please email us so we can get your camper connected with the kitchen.
Roommate Information
Campers are housed two per room and may request a specific roommate. Roommates need to request each other on their registration form. Camp space is filled on a first-come basis and spots cannot be held for a late-registering roommate.
Commuter – Housing
Contact the St. Olaf camp office to inquire about commuter, additional housing, and transportation options to and from the airport.
Single Occupancy: $90
• A limited number of single-occupancy rooms are available to adult campers only.
General Housing:
• Youth campers are housed two to a room in a comfortable, secure residence hall.
• Adult campers are housed in an air-conditioned residence hall and have the option of single occupant rooms in Ytterboe Hall
• Families (camper and their escort) are housed in double occupancy rooms in air condition residence in Ytterboe Hall
Transportation OptionsSchedule
• Sunday, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. camp check-in, followed by an orientation, meeting, dinner, and exhibition against class instructor.
• Monday – Thursday:
Daily morning tournaments and afternoon class sessions filled with players analyzing the game with their instructors; three daily class sessions with their base or rotating teacher, and evening tournaments or special activities.
• Friday, 11 a.m. closing ceremony with trophies awarded to winners in all competitions. Family and friends are invited.
A partially rotating instructional schedule allows participants to study with a variety of teachers during the camp.
Payment Information
Registration Information
Register now with our secure online form youth, adult (18+) or complete a printable registration form on your computer and send it via mail or fax. Registrations are accepted until capacity has been reached. When completing the online form please see the following options to the right.
Make A Payment
For those who have registered and need to make a payment, either their $100 deposit or the balance.
Payment Options
Option 1: Pay in Full.
At the conclusion of the registration form, you will be asked to submit credit card information. Once submitted, the full amount will be paid.
Option 2: Deposit Only.
Submit a minimum $100 non-refundable deposit to reserve your athletes spot today. Registration is not officially accepted until completed registration form and deposit is received on the same day. Payment must be paid in full 4 weeks prior to camp start date.
Refund & Late Fee Policy
Refund Policy:
Written cancellations (post or email) received four weeks prior to camp start date will receive a refund less the $100 non-refundable deposit. No refunds given within four weeks of camp start date, but substitutions are accepted.
Late Fee Policy:
• Registration received prior to April 30 no late fee will be applied.
• Registration received between May 1 and May 31 a $50 late fee will be applied.
• Registration received after June 1 a $100 late fee will be applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
