Camp features chess experts
International Grand Master Alex Stripunsky will coach participants in the Fall Break Chess Camp, sponsored by Madison City Chess League and Mid-South Chess in Memphis. (CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – Madison City Chess League has devised a special way to celebrate National Chess Day during its Fall Break Chess Camp.
The league “is celebrating National Chess Day in a big way by inviting International Grand Master Alex Stripunsky to conduct a simultaneous chess match on Oct. 9 with all campers registered for the weekend chess camp,” league executive director Ranae Bartlett said.
Stripunsky headlines the Mid-South Chess Camp in Memphis each summer.
“Now, Mid-South comes to a reception at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center,” Bartlett said. The “SIMUL,” or simultaneous match, will be conducted under the Saturn V Rocket.
Then, campers will participate in a two-day chess camp at Madison City School’s Central Office, 211 Celtic Drive on Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The camp targets students in two USCF rating ranges: 800-1250 and those above 1250. Class size is limited to 16.
“These chess camps are for more developed and experienced chess players. We’re thrilled to bring a grand master like Alex Stripunsky to North Alabama,” Bartlett said. “No one of his stature has ever come to Alabama for a chess event like this. The camps occur at the end of fall break, so we hope it will be convenient for students to attend.”
Stripunsky is considered as one of the premier chess coaches in the United States. He has coached many of the top young chess players in the country.
In addition, International Master Jake Kleiman of Memphis will serve as a camp coach. Kleiman is a Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude graduate of Rhodes College. He reached runner-up in the U.S. Junior Championship and received USCF’s annual Scholar/Chess Player Award.
Stripunsky and Kleiman are co-founders and coaches of Mid-South Chess Camp in Memphis.
For details about the camps, visit madisonchess.com, click the “News” menu and then click the link to National Chess Day.
To register for the Fall Break Camp, visit madisonchess.com/fall-camp-2015.
