Indiana State Championship 

In 1885, Dr. T.F. Leech of Waveland, IN sent out a notice in the Indianapolis Journal to the chess players of Indiana, for the purpose of creating the Indiana State Chess Association. The very first tournament occurred in December that year, which was won, according to local newspapers, by Dr. Leech. 

The modern Indiana State Chess Association and the modern series of State Championships were founded by Glen Donley in 1942. The 1946 championship was awarded on tiebreak. As a compromise, John Van Benten got to be listed as State Champion, but Fred Flauding got to represent Indiana in a regional tourney. The 1958 championship won by Donald Brooks was verified in Chess Life, although it is claimed by some that the 1958 champion was John V. Ragan. In 1961 an open tourney was held in Logansport and won by Vasa Kostic of Gary. However, the state title then was always awarded in a closed event for Indiana residents only, and the closed tourney was held in Elwood. At least since 1978 the tourney has been open to out-of-state players, with the title going to the top Indiana resident. Up to 1978 the State Championships were held in May; in 1979 and 1980 on Labor Day weekend; 1981 to 1984 later in September; 1985 in October; 1986 and 1987 at the end of December; and 1989 and 1990 in January. No tournament was held in calendar year 1988. A second championship was held in September 1990 to get the tournament back on schedule in the fall. At least since the early 1970’s, the rule has been that two players tying for first will be declared Co-Champions, but tiebreak points will be used to decide the champion if three or more tie. List compiled by Roger Blaine in 1989 with assistance from Paul Fisher and Cleo Mooday, and revised and updated since then.