Glendale welcomed the Southern California Open for the first time, drawing more than 300 competitors to the Embassy Suites over Labor Day weekend.

“This tournament exceeded all expectations,” said Armen Ambartsoumian, Founder of the American Chess Academy and fellow tournament organizer. “The level of play was exceptional, and the response from the chess community was truly inspiring. We’re proud to have brought this energy and competition to Glendale, and we’re already looking ahead to an even bigger event next year.”

Congratulations to all winners, including Grandmaster Viktor Matviishen, who won the Open Section.

For decades, the Southern California Open has been a mainstay on the competitive chess calendar. Hosting it in Glendale for the first time made this year especially meaningful. We were proud to co‑organize alongside the Southern California Chess Federation and the American Chess Academy, with support from the City of Glendale and many partners. 

As Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian said, “It’s events like these that reflect the spirit of our city, welcoming, competitive, and globally connected."