International Chess Master Hosted Simulation in Eau Claire
John Bartholomew competed against 31 local players in a simultaneous exhibition at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Gambling
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International chess master John Bartholomew faced 31 participants in a simultaneous exhibition match held at the Davies Student Center. The event concluded with the master securing 30 victories and conceding a single draw to a student competitor.
Why it matters
Events featuring grandmasters and high-level chess players help bolster the visibility of university clubs and offer regional enthusiasts a rare opportunity to test their skills against elite talent. This exhibition highlights the continued growth of competitive chess culture within the Chippewa Valley.
The simulation included 31 individual boards with one master player facing each opponent simultaneously. The exhibition resulted in 30 wins for John Bartholomew and one draw achieved by local student Owen Pelletier.
The players
John Bartholomew
He is an international chess master and popular online content creator known for his educational approach to the game.
Owen Pelletier
He is a student at UW-Eau Claire who has played chess for five years and secured the only draw against the master during the exhibition.
UW-Eau Claire Chess Club
This student organization facilitates regular practice and competitive opportunities for chess enthusiasts on the university campus.
The details
Participants at the Ojibwe Ballroom engaged in a format where the master rotates between 31 separate boards, making moves against each opponent one after another. This intense display of calculation and memory follows a long-standing tradition of grandmaster exhibitions at academic institutions.
Timeline
Gary Kasparov visited UW-Eau Claire in 2024.
John Bartholomew visited the Chippewa Valley for a simulation in February 2025.
The simulation exhibition took place on October 3, 2026.
The UW-Eau Claire Chess Club holds regular meetings every Tuesday and Friday.
Culture Shift
The recent exhibition follows the 2024 visit by Gary Kasparov to UW-Eau Claire, underscoring a growing trend of elite masters engaging with university chess programs. This demonstrates a shift toward more accessible, high-level skill demonstration in regional academic settings.
The event provided local players with a rare tactical challenge against an international master during the simul. Students interested in improving their own game can continue to attend weekly club meetings held every Tuesday and Friday.
The takeaway
Simultaneous exhibitions offer a unique window into the focused concentration required to manage multiple competitive boards. Aspiring players can use these rare opportunities to observe the master-level thought processes that lead to success even under significant time pressure.
Further reading
For more information on the regional community, visit the Gambling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Spectator.
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