Chess Champions of South Dakota

2022 Josiah Jorenby from Sioux Falls Nels Truelson, Sioux Falls

2021 Nels Truelson from Sioux Falls

2020 Josiah Jorenby, Sioux Falls

2019 Nels Truelson from Sioux Falls and Josiah Jorenby, Sioux Falls

2018 Josiah Jorenby from Sioux Falls Nels Truelson, Sioux Falls

2017 Nels Truelson, Sioux Falls (10th time)
2016 Nels Truelson, Sioux Falls
2015 Josiah Jorenby from Brookings and Terry Likens of Watertown
2014 Lyle Hanson, Rapid City, SD
2013 Jerry John Castell III, Rapid City, SD
2012 Sandor Kustar, Okaton
2011 Sandor Kustar, Okaton
2010 Serif Suljic and Nels Truelson Sioux Falls
2009 Curtis Carroll
2008 Sandor Kustar, Okaton; and Nels Truelson, Sioux Falls
2007 Sandor Kustar, Okaton
2006 Nels Truelson, Sioux Falls

2005 Sandor Kustar, Okaton
2004 Nels Truelson, Sioux Falls; Lyle Hansen, Watertown; Mark Knudson, Sioux Falls
2003 Nels Truelson, Sioux Falls
2002 Nels Truelson, Sioux Falls
2001 Nels Truelson, Sioux Falls
2000 Nels Truelson, Sioux Falls
1999 Mark Knudson, Sioux Falls
1998 Lyle Hansen, Watertown
1997 Curtis Carrol, Eagle Butte
1996 Kemal Bobic, Sioux Falls
1995 Curtis Carrol, Eagle Butte
1994 Lyle Hanson, Watertown
1993 Jeff Barth, Sioux Falls
1992 Gary Wallace, Pierre
1991 Steve Norquist, Rapid City
1990 Mark Falk, Rapid City
1989 Steve Norquist, Rapid City
1988 Brad Lundstrom, Rapid City
1987 Mark Falk, Rapid City
1986 Mark Falk, Rapid City
1985 Mark Falk, Rapid City
1984 Mark Falk, Rapid City
1983 Mark Falk, Rapid City
1982 Gerald Mortimer, Sioux Falls
1981 Gerald Mortimer, Sioux Falls
1980 Rick Likens of Rapid City and Mark Falk, Rapid City
1979 James Williamson, Lakes Andes
1978 James Williamson, Lakes Andes
1977 Gerald Morimer, Sioux Falls
1976 David Kerkove, Sioux Falls
1975 Samuel Priebe, Sioux Falls
1974 Arthur Tollefson Sioux Falls
1973 Arthur Tollefson, Sioux Falls
1972 Samuel Priebe, Sioux Falls
1971 Gary Wallace, Pierre
1970 Paul Salem, Madison
1969 Paul Salem, Madison
1968 Paul Salem, Madison
1967 Charles Keyman, Sioux Falls
1966 Charles Keyman, Sioux Falls
1965 Bryant Holmes, Sioux Falls
1964  Charles Keyman, Sioux Falls
1963 Bryant Holmes, Sioux Falls
1962 Ben Munson, Jr., Rapid City
1961 Ben Munson, Jr., Rapid City
1960 Robert Holyon, Ellsworth AFB
1959 M.F. Anderson, Rapid City
1958 M.F. Anderson, Rapid City
1957 M.F. Anderson, Rapid City
1956 M.F. Anderson, Rapid City
1955 M.F. Anderson, Rapid City
1954 Donald Emigh, Rapid City
1953 Bryant Holmes, Sioux Falls
1952 M.F. Anderson,Rapid City; Bryant Holmes, Sioux Falls
1951 Bryant Holmes, Sioux Falls
1950 Donald Emigh, Rapid City
1949 Bryant Holmes, Sioux Falls
1948 Bryant Holmes, Sioux Falls
1947 M.F. Anderson, Rapid City
1946 M.F. Anderson, Rapid City; Harry Savage, Yankton

1945    N/A      
1944 N/A
1943 N/A
1942 M. H. Semrau, Belle Fourche
1941 M. H. Semrau, Belle Fourche
1940 M. F Anderson, Rapid City
1939 M. F Anderson, Rapid City
1938 Arthur W. Davis, Rapid City
1937 N/A
1936 J.M. Armstrong, Belle Fourche
1935 N/A
1934 N/A
1933 A.A. Breihan, Tyndall
1932 George D. Shaw, Tripp
1931 Russell Rice, Parkston
1930 Ray A. Otis, Aberdeen
1929 Ray A. Otis, Aberdeen
1928 Ray A. Otis, Aberdeen
1927 Ray A. Otis, Aberdeen
1926 Ray A. Otis, Aberdeen
1925 C.E. Lennon, Mobridge
1924 H.L. Saylor, Huron
1923 H.L. Saylor, Huron
1922 Lloyd McFarling, Huron

South Dakota Team Championship Winners


1980 (TIE) RAPID CITY- Brian Lankey, Mark Falk, Steve Haataja, Dan Schmidt(TIE) SIOUX FALLS- Chuck Keyman, David Kerkhove, Emil Knapp, Jim Madson
1981 RAPID CITY- Mark Falk, Steve Norquist, Steve Haataja, Dan Schmidt
1982 AUGUSTANA- David Kerkhove, Chuck Keyman, Emil Knapp, Jim Madson
1983 SIOUX FALLS- Paul Salem, Gerald Mortimer, Dan Jolivette, Wes Schmidt
1984 AUGUSTANA- David Kerkhove, Chuck Keyman, Emil Knapp, Dan Jolivette
1985 RAPID CITY- Mark Falk, Steve Norquist, Dan Schmidt, Steve Schaffer
1986 RAPID CITY- Mark Falk, Steve Norquist, Rick Schmidt, Dan Schmidt
1987 RAPID CITY- Mark Falk, Dan Schmidt, Paul Covington, Rick Schmidt
1988 AUGUSTANA PLUS- Chuck Keyman, Emil Knapp, Marty LaRoche, Jerry Bergan
1989 WEST RIVER RATS- Steve Norquist, Terry Likens, Steve Schaffer, Kyle Hammond
1990 SIOUX FALLS- Jeff Barth, Harry Overholtzer, John Bier, Danny VanDeest
1991 RAPID CITY Steve Norquist, Dan Schmidt, Kyle Hammond, Steve Schaffer
1992 RAPID CITY Mark Falk, Steve Norquist, Dan Schmidt, Steve Schaffer
1993 SIOUX FALLS Louis Horton, Jeff Barth, Steve Haataja, Harry Overholtzer
1994 THE OTHER TEAM Curtis Carroll, Jeff Barth, Steve Schaffer, Larry Cass
1995 NOBODY Unfortunately, there was no SD Team Championship in ’95
1996 PIERRE Curtis Carroll, Robert Wallace, Sigurd Rydland, Albert Montiola
1997 PIERRE Curtis Carroll, Bob Wallace, Rueben Bezpaletz, Sigurd Rydland
1998 CINNAMON’S HANDLERS Jeff Barth, Harry Overholtzer, Wes Schmidt, Ralph Bailey, Martin Waldner, David Knudson
1999 USD Steve Norquist, Srdan Reljic, Timothy Paintner, Mark Derby
2000 GROSS MASTERS Jeff Barth, Harry Overholtzer, Bruce Brandt, Wes Schmidt
2001 THE ENLIGHTENED POSTMASTERS Nels Truelson, Jack Bier, Nicholas Truelson, Kari Rivers, Zachary Truelson
2002 WAITING TO REACT Mark Knudson, Serif Suljic, Steve Cahill, Alden Meeter
2003 TRUELSONS AND FRIEND Nels Truelson, Isaac Gerdes, Nicholas Truelson, Zachary Truelson
2004 MERCHANTS OF DEATH Mark Knudson, Serif Suljic, Alden Meeter, Dan Merchant
2005 MERCHANTS OF DEATH-Sandor Kustar, Serif Suljic, Dan Merchant, Clarence Kieffer
2006 CHESSKETEERS Sandor Kustar, Louis Horton,Wes Schmidt,Dick Rostrom
2007 RAPID CITY- Sandor Kustar, Terry Likens, Daniel Schmidt, Jill Likens
2008 PIERRE – Curtis Carroll, Gary Wallace, Robert Wallace, Reuben Bezpaletz
2009 UPSTARTS- Nels Truelson, Jeff Barth, Dick Rostrom, Greg Waters
2010 SMARTER THAN A FIFTH GRADER Sandor Kustar, Mark Derby, Brandon Beloskur, Michael Knudson
2011 ZUGZWANG- Nels Truelson, Jeffrey Barth, Cameron Starr, Dick Rostrom
2012 YE OLE RC CHESS CLUB- Terry Dean Likens,Brandon Beloskur, Jerry John Casteel III, Jill Way Likens
2013 INTERNATIONAL PAWN STARS- Sandor Kustar, Ekrem Tamkan, Mark Derby, Richard Handoko

2014 PIERRE- Wallace, Gary E, 2. Carroll, Curtis L, 3. Wallace, Robert M, 4. Crooks, Todd
YE OLE RAPID CITY CHESS CLUB- Casteel III, Jerry, Likens, Terry Dean, Beloskur, Brandon, Likens, Jill Way

SD Junior Champions


1970 Terry Likens Rapid City
1971 William Heavlin, Rapid City
1972 Arthur Tollefson, Sioux Falls
1973 Kevin Gaustad, Beresford
1974 David Kerkhove, Sioux Falls
1975 Rick Likens, Rapid City
1976 Martin LaRoche Rapid City
1977 Kevin Litke, Vermillion
1978 Robert Borgers, Sioux Falls
1979 Jim Madson, Sioux Falls
1980 Robert Borgers, Sioux Falls
1981 Robert Borgers, Sioux Falls
1982 John Terrall, Pierre
1983 John Terrall, Pierre
1984 John Terrall, Pierre
1985 Rick Schmidt, Rapid City
1986 Eric Kilber, Pierre
1987 Christopher Smeenk
1988 Danny Van Deest (only junior listed), Sioux Falls
1989 Kyle Hammond, Martin
1990 Kyle Hammond, Martin
1991 Kyle Hammond, Martin
1992 TJ Likens, Rapid City
1993 Mark Knudson, Sioux Falls and TJ Likens, Rapid City
1994 Mark Knudson, Sioux Falls
1995 Mark Knudson, Sioux Falls
1996 TJ Likens, Rapid City and David Draeger, Sioux Falls
1997 Mark Knudson, Sioux Falls
1998 Mark Knudson, Sioux Falls
1999 Michael Bergan, Madison
2000 David Likens, Rapid City (Open) and Michael Bergan, Madison (Invitational)
2001 Nicholas Truelson, Sioux Falls
2002 Nicholas Truelson, Sioux Falls
2003 Nicholas Truelson, Sioux Falls
2004 Nicholas Truelson, Sioux Falls
2005 Alexander Young, Rapid City
2006 Isaac Gerdes, Renner
2007 Alexander Young, Rapid City
2008 Zachaary Truelson, Sioux Falls
2009 Jerry John Casteel III of Rapid City
2010 Josiah Jorenby of Brookings and Michael Knudson of Rapid City
2011 Michael Knudson of Rapid City
2012 Destiny Jorenby of Brookings
2013 Jerry John Casteel III of Rapid City
2014 Josiah Jorenby of Brookings

Speed Chess Champions

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

Online Chess Champions

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

Online 960 Chess Champions

2022 Rewzilla



2015

2014

2013

South Dakota Scholastic Champions

High School Winners

Year-Participants-LocationIndividual WinnerIndividual Winner’s TeamTeam Winner
1985-18-PierreMatt RappAberdeen CentralAberdeen Central Rapid City Stevens
1986-34-PierreEric KilberPierreAberdeen Roncalli
1987-21-PierreKarl McGritzerWatertownWatertown
1988-34-PierreGarret DavisWatertownWatertown
1989-24-PierreKyle Hammond Bill StrohfusMartin WatertownWatertown
1990-22-AberdeenKyle HammondMartinAberdeen Central
1991-23-AberdeenLarry PattersonAberdeenFlandreau Indian School
1992-18-AberdeenKirby KozelSioux Falls WashingtonSioux Falls Washington
1993No Tournament  
1994-22-Sioux FallsDavid DraegerSioux Falls LincolnFlandreau Indian School
1995-37-Sioux FallsMark KnudsonSioux Falls Patrick HenryFlandreau Indian School
1996-35-Sioux FallsDavid Draeger Daniel HocheeSioux Falls Lincoln LennoxFlandreau Indian School
1997-79-Sioux FallsTJ LikensRapid City CentralFlandreau Indian School
1998-136-Sioux FallsDavid LikensRapid City CentralMadison
1999-119-Sioux FallsMark KnudsonSioux Falls WashingtonMadison
2000-141-Sioux FallsMichael BerganMadisonSioux Falls Lincoln
2001-126-Sioux FallsMark KnudsonSioux Falls WashingtonSioux Falls Home School
2002-156-Rapid CityDaniel Haggar  Sioux Falls Home SchoolSioux Falls Home School
2003-136-PierreIsaac GerdesSioux Falls Home SchoolSioux Falls Home School
2004-127-Rapid CityAlexander YoungRapid City CentralSioux Falls Home School
2005-105-PierreAlexander YoungRapid City CentralSioux Falls Home School



2006-110-Rapid CityNicholas TruelsonSioux Falls Home SchoolSioux Falls O’Gorman
2007-81-PierreIsaac GerdesSioux Falls O’GormanSioux Falls O’Gorman
2008-85-PierreZachary TruelsonSioux Falls Home School Association 
2009-84-GarretsonKyle JensenRapid City StevensSioux Falls Home School
2010-78-PierreMalavika Nair  
2011-68-Rapid CityJerry John Casteel III and Josiah JorenbyRapid City Home School and Brookings Home SchoolBrookings Home School, Brookings



Junior High/Middle School Champions


1994Michael NewtonDouglasDouglas,Sioux Falls O’Gorman,
Artesian-Letcher
1995TJ LikensRapid City SouthArtesian-Letcher
1996TJ LikensRapid City SouthRapid City South
1997David Likens Ryan DaggittRapid City MemorialSioux Falls Patrick Henry
1998Jonathan Stetler-Andrew EllsworthMadisonMadison
1999Anthony VicinoSioux Falls O’GormanSioux Falls Home School Assocation
2000Isaac GerdesSioux Falls Home School AssociationSioux Falls Home School Association
2001Jenna HaggarSioux Falls Home School AssociationSioux Falls Home School Association
2002Alexander YoungRapid City NorthRapid City Southwest
2003Nicholas TruelsonSioux Falls Home School AssociationSioux Falls Home School Association
2004Timothy SaxSioux Falls Home School AssociationSioux Falls Home School Association
2005Zachary TruelsonSioux Falls Home School AssociationRapid City St. Elizabeth Seton
2006Kyle JensenRapid City SouthwestRapid City South
2007Kyle Jensen Nathan Walstrom Latticia Leftwich Riley IwanRapid City Southwest Rapid City South
Pierre Indian Learning Center Rapid City South
Rapid City South
2008Kyle JensenRapid City Southwest 
2009Matt WingertRapid City Home SchoolPierre Indian Learning Center
2010Luke Rysavy  
2011Michael KnudsonRapid City Scholastic ChessRapid City



Elementary Section


YearWinnerTeamTeam Winner
1994Mark KnudsonSioux Falls John HarrisArtersian-Letcher
1995Steve CookArtesian-LetcherArtesian-Letcher
1996Max SchuchardFlandreau SpaffordFlandreau Spafford
1997Josiah HimesPierre Indian Learning CenterPierre Indian Learning Center
1998Jordan Gerdes John Bergan Isaac GerdesSF Home School Madison SF Home SchoolSioux Falls Home School Association
1999Isaac GerdesSioux Fall Home School AssociationSioux Falls Home School Association
2000Nicholas TruelsonSioux Falls Home School AssociationSioux Falls Home School Association
2001Sam WatersSioux Falls Mark TwainSioux Falls Home School Association
2002Zachary TruelsonSioux Falls Home School AssociationSioux Falls Home School Association
2003  Sam WatersSioux Falls Mark TwainPierre Indian Learning Center
2004Patrick WindPierre Indian Learning CenterPierre Indian Learning Center
2005Jonathan SaxSioux Falls Home School AssociationRapid City Grandview Elementary
2006Riley IwanRapid City GrandviewRapid City Grandview Elementary
2007Corey IwanRapid City GrandviewRapid City Grandview Elementary
2008Cole Anderson  
2009Michael KnudsonRapid City Home SchoolGarretson Elementary
2010Michael KnudsonRapid City Home School 
2011Noah JohnsonRapid City Scholastic Chess, Rapid CityGarfield Challenge Center & Elementary School, Sioux Falls



Primary Champions


1999Nate HolmanSioux Falls All City ElementarySioux Falls Mark Twain
2000Andrew GladerSioux Falls Home School AssociationSioux Falls Home School Association
2001Ryan BrandtSioux Falls Mark Twain ElementaryPierre Indian Learning Center
2002Patrick WindPierre Indian Learning CenterPierre Indian Learning Center
2003Jonathan SaxSioux Falls Home School AssociationSioux Falls Home School Associaition
2004Austin SimonSioux Falls Home School AssociationRapid City Grand Valley Elementary
2005Michael KnudsonRapid City Grandview ElementaryRapid City Grandview Elementary
2006Micahel KnudsonRapid City Grandview ElementaryRapid City Grandview Elementary
2007Michael KnudsonRapid City Grandview ElementaryRapid City Grandview Elementary
2008Michael KnudsonRapid City Grandview Elementary 
2009Noah JohnsonRapid City Home SchoolSioux Falls Mark Twain Elementary
2010Cash Lapour Garretson Elementary School
2011Manu NairDiscovery Elementary School, Sioux FallsGarretson Elementary School



Other Champions:
9th and below division


1986-Thurmond Morris, Team Winner Pierre Indian Learning Center
1987-Stuart American Horse, Flandreau Indian School
1988-Cliff Caung, Aberdeen Holgate, Team Winner Highmore
1991-Kirby Kozel, Sioux Falls Whittier
1992-Mike Gregory, Sioux Falls Washington

Middle School Novice (600 and below)


2004-Megan Byram,Rapid City Saint Elizabeth Seton,Rapid City St. Elizabeth Seton Elementary School

Novice (400 and below)


2004-Matthew Ashley,Rapid City Corral Drive Elementary School,Rapid City Corral
Drive Elementary2005-Elias LaPointe,Pierre Indian Learning Center,Pierre Indian Learning Center2006-Alex White Bear,Pierre Indian Learning Center,Pierre Indian Learning
Center

Primary Novice (300 and below)


2006-Samuel Musch, Rapid City- Meadowbrook Elementary,Rapid City Grandview Elementary



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Chess Champions of South Dakota – SD Chess