Rainbow, West Madison sponsor 2012 Queen’s Quest Chess Tournament

Rainbow will host the competition on its campus, 50 Nance Road on May 4.

Rooks, pawns and members of royalty will be on board for the 2012 Queen’s Quest Chess Tournament, sponsored by Rainbow and West Madison elementary schools.

On that day, both Madison City Schools and Madison County Schools are dismissed (weather day). The tournament “will be a great opportunity for local kids to compete in a United States Chess Federation (USCF) scholastic chess tournament,” parent volunteer Ranae Bartlett said.

The Queen’s Quest is a five-round, USCF-rated Swiss tournament. Students will compete in three sections: primary (K-3), elementary (K-6) and open (K-12).

“Players are encouraged to play in the lowest section for which they are eligible but may play in a higher section,” Bartlett said. The tournament director may merge sections.

Game duration is 30 minutes with five-second delays. Youth will play rounds at 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. and 1, 2:15 and 3:30 p.m. “The final two rounds may start sooner at the tournament director’s discretion,” PTA spokesperson Emily Peck said.

Debbie Gulden coaches the Rainbow team, while JoAnn Taylor leads the West Madison chess players.

Participants must be USCF members. Deadline to pre-register is April 28. Students in private and home schools are welcome to enter.

Teams must submit the entry form, USCF member identification and expiration date and checks payable to Caesar Chess LLC, 5184 Caldwell Mill Road, Suite 204-202, Birmingham, AL 35244. Entry fee is $20; after April 28, the fee is $30.

On May 4, on-site registration will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

In each section, the top two teams and top seven individuals will receive trophies. Eighth- through tenth-place winners will receive medals. Pizza, sodas, snacks and other concessions will be sold.

Tournament organizers acknowledge State Rep. Mike Ball for helping to sponsor the event.

For tournament questions, send e-mail to CaesarChess@yahoo.com. For information about the federation, visit USChess.org.