Club Update Hub
Quarter 2 2026
Q2 2026 - Overview:
The Toms River Chess Club continues to grow, evolve, and build for the future. This update hub has been created to give members one easy place to stay informed about several important developments happening across the club.
Inside the tabs above, you will find information on our newly achieved 501(c)(3) public charity status, an upcoming constitutional change vote, major changes to our Manahawkin branch, details on the Club Championship, updates to the club library, and several exciting special events on the horizon.
Rather than crowding all of this into a single newsletter, this page will serve as an organized and easy-to-reference home for major club announcements made for Quarter 2 2026.
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501c3 Status Achieved
The Toms River Chess Club is proud to announce that we have officially been recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity under Section 509(a)(2). This is a major milestone in the club’s history and represents an important step forward in ensuring the long-term strength, legitimacy, and sustainability of our organization.
As a 501(c)(3), contributions and donations made to the club may now be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, which opens the door to stronger fundraising opportunities, grants, sponsorships, and charitable support from the community.
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​For members who value transparency, club financial reports from 2024 onward can always be found here on our website. ​
New Article 6 – Section 2 – By-Law Amendment Vote
Beginning May 14, 2026, members will be asked to vote in person on an important by-law amendment designed to improve leadership continuity and create a more professional transition process for the club. Under this proposed change, regular elections would still take place each November, but newly elected officers would officially assume office on January 2 of the following year, rather than transitioning immediately during the election quarter.
This creates a proper transition period that allows outgoing officers time to transfer records, club property, and responsibilities, in an organized and responsible way. The amendment also clarifies how special election vacancies are handled and places all officer transition rules in one clear constitutional location.
This is an important modernization step that strengthens long-term stability, reduces rushed handoffs, and supports the club’s continued growth.
Please note that constitutional votes must be cast in person. Members are encouraged to review the full amendment proposal here.
Manahawkin Major Changes
Beginning May 12, 2026, the TRCC Manahawkin branch will transition to a twice per month meeting schedule, meeting on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Before this change takes effect, there will be one final regular weekly meeting on May 5, 2026.
At the same time, on May 12, 2026, Manahawkin’s hours will be expanded to match our Toms River location, with new regular hours of 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, while tournament nights may extend slightly later, likely ending closer to 9:30 PM.
Under the new structure, every 2nd Tuesday will be a regular club meeting, while every 4th Tuesday will feature a tournament night.
These tournaments will alternate monthly between a Quad and a Dual Rated Swiss, creating a reliable source for competition for US Chess members in the area. Tournament Nights will all include a NON-USCF Section/Quad to increase participation.
Sign-ups for both tournament formats will be available soon. These changes are being made as part of a focused effort to strengthen Manahawkin’s dwindling player base, concentrate attendance, and ensure that the branch remains a lasting beacon for chess in Southern Ocean County.
2026 Club Championship
The 2026 Toms River Chess Club Championship returns as one of the club’s most prestigious annual events. This USCF regular rated, members-only tournament will be played over five Thursday nights: April 30, May 7, May 14, May 21, and May 28, with one round each night beginning at 6:30 PM.
The event features one open section, a time control of G65;d5, two half-point byes, and cash prizes based on total entries.
Please note that all participants must be both a current United States Chess Federation (USCF) member and a current Toms River Chess Club member in good standing to compete.
This requirement helps preserve the championship as TRCC’s premier membership event while ensuring all games are officially USCF rated. Entry is $20, and interested players can register on the official sign-up page here: 2026 Club Championship Sign Up
Updated Club Library and Help Needed!
The Toms River Chess Club library has grown significantly thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Westadt family, who donated hundreds of books from Dan’s collection to the club. Many of these titles have already found a permanent home within our club library, dramatically expanding the resources available to members.
A special thank you goes to Steve Doyle for spending time helping sort, organize, and preserve this remarkable collection. In addition to strengthening TRCC’s own library, a large percentage of the books were donated to the New Jersey State Chess Federation to be distributed to players at major New Jersey events, including the K-9 Scholastic Championship and the upcoming 2027 United States Amateur Team East Tournament, allowing Dan’s legacy to continue inspiring players across the region.
There are still many books currently being stored that will be featured in an auction at our annual club holiday party. As an additional gesture of thanks, the NJSCF, with Steve Doyle’s support, gifted the club 30 triple weighted chess sets with leather bags, along with several clocks, in recognition of the value of the contribution from the Westadt family. These will be first used at our 2026 Club Championship.
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The will be holding a book sorting and cataloging work session on April 16 and would greatly appreciate member volunteers to help us organize the newest additions.
As part of this effort, the club will be building a proper library system with check-in and check-out functionality, creating a modern and sustainable way for members to borrow books.
This system is planned to eventually integrate with the club’s new membership cards, expected in late 2026 or early 2027, creating a seamless borrowing experience for members.
At the next TRCC board meeting, a proposal will be made to officially name our club library the Westadt Chess Library in honor of Dan and his family’s incredible gift.
Club to help with Harrogate Senior Tournament and host a GM Simul.
The club is excited to highlight two major special events on the horizon.
First is the Harrogate Senior Open, which will take place on May 30, 2026 at the Harrogate Retirement Community in Lakewood. This free one-day, five-round G25; d5 tournament is open only to players age 60 and over and will feature both a USCF dual rated section and an unrated section, with 5 trophies awarded in each section. It will serve as one of the first senior-dedicated chess tournaments on the Jersey Shore. Eligible players can find full details and register here: Harrogate Senior Open Sign Up.
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Looking ahead, the club is also actively discussing a proposed Grandmaster Simul with Grandmaster Michael Rohde. which is tentatively planned for late summer or early fall 2026.
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Final confirmation is expected at the June board meeting, and additional details will be shared with members as soon as they are officially approved.