The New Western Open
The first Western Open, held in 1900 in Excelsior MN, was the tournament championship for the Western Chess Association. In 1935, after the Western Chess Association had renamed itself to the American Chess Federation (and renamed the tournament to the American Open) it came to Milwaukee for the first time. When the American Chess Federation and the National Chess Association merged to form the United States Chess Federation, the tournament received its current name, the US Open.
The Western Open was later reborn when the Milwaukee Chess Foundation acquired the name. The rebirth began under the name “New Western Open,” later shortened to the “Western Open.” After the death of Fred Cramer, who had done so much to keep the tournament going, it acquired its current designation, the Western Open Fred Cramer Memorial.
1981 Martz Masters
There is little doubt that IM William Martz, Wisconsin’s first titled player, was also Wisconsin’s strongest player from 1963 until his death in 1983. In November 1981 he sponsored the Martz Masters Invitational at the Normandy Village Chalet in Wauwautosa.
Wisconsin State Championship
In the early days, the leading player in Milwaukee was considered the state champion, as determined by matches or tournaments organized by the Milwaukee Athletic Center and the Milwaukee Chess Club. A leading mover in both was Ernest Reel, and when he died his family donated the Ernest Reel trophy which is given annually to the winner of the state championship.
Match Play Championships
In 1931, a match was played for the State Championship between the defending champion, Harold Knutson, and challenger Robert Reel. The match was ten games long, best score wins, with a 5-5 draw going to the defending champion. Knutson won the match, 5½-3½.
1986 Wisconsin Futurity
The tournament that almost didn’t happen. Long-time Milwaukee chess organizer and president of the Milwaukee Chess Foundation George Carian almost gave up on this one. The intention was to give local masters a chance at a FIDE rating.
At the proverbial last minute it all came together and came off smoothly. The Wisconsin Futurity was a credit to George and to Al Losoff, who directed it.
North Central Open
The North Central Open was at one time the tournament championship for Region VI of the USCF. It has since become linked with the name of IM William Martz, and known by the name of the William Martz Memorial North Central Open, and now simply the Martz Memorial. When it was the Region VI championship, it travelled around Region VI from state to state, after that it settled down to a long run in Milwaukee. Now it is moved around the state by the Wisconsin Chess Association as one of the largest travelling tournaments in the WCA.
American Chess Federation Congress
The American Chess Federation Congress was the forerunner to the current US Open. It was the main tournament held by the American Chess Federation, which was formerly known as the Western Chess Association. In 1935 it came to Milwaukee for the first time.