On February 9, 2025, before the roar of the crowd and confetti rained down in Las Vegas, where the Philadelphia Eagles clinched a thrilling Super Bowl victory, chess players gathered at the South Jersey Innovation Center (SJIC) for their own kind of pregame showdown—the 12th Annual Super Bowl Pregame Chess Tournament.
This chess “appetizer” to the big game has become a beloved tradition at SJIC, serving up four intense rounds of rated play just hours before kickoff. While the Eagles soared to football glory later that evening, it was the region’s top chess talent who first brought the heat on Super Bowl Sunday morning.
And in a fun twist of fate, Eagles running back and known chess superfan Saquon Barkley helped bring home the Lombardi Trophy just hours after 56 local players battled over the board—making it a banner day for both Philly fans and the 64 squares.
The event featured three sections—Open, U2000, and U1400—and brought together 56 rated players from across the region. The competition was fierce, with several rising stars and seasoned competitors battling it out over four rounds of rated chess.
14 masters battled in the Open Section including International Master and US Senior champion Nikoloz Manadze and 3 FIDE Masters. NJ National Master Ansh Shah delivered a standout performance, finishing with a perfect 4.5 score. Hot on his heels was Peter Minear of PA with 4.0.
As always, the SJIC upheld its reputation as a vibrant hub for STEAM education and a cornerstone of the regional chess scene. With rated tournaments every other Sunday and rated events on Wednesday and Friday nights, the center continues to foster talent and community through the timeless game of chess.
And as players packed up their boards and headed home, they got to watch the Eagles do what they do best—win. Checkmate and touchdown in the same day? Only in South Jersey.
