Register now for Queen’s Quest chess tourney

MADISON – Registration is open for the largest chess tournament in Madison and North Alabama, the Queen’s Quest.

“It’s our signature tournament. For years, it was the only one we ever held in Madison,” Ranae Bartlett said. Bartlett is Executive Director of Madison City Chess League.

The only larger chess gathering in Madison occurs when the league hosts the state championship.

Mill Creek Elementary School will host Queen’s Quest on Nov. 19. Queen’s Quest will offer two sections for fourth- through sixth-graders to compete — one for those rated below 500 and another for those rated above 500.

“We anticipate that the K-3 section will once again be the largest section, but, to accommodate for that, we’ll give out twice as many awards in the K-3 section,” Bartlett said. “We encourage everyone to play in their age range for this first team tournament and not ‘play up.'”

Queen’s Quest serves as the third qualifier for the 2017 City Chess Championship. Officials will extend invitations to competitors who place in the top of their age category: three invitations for grades K-3; two for grades 4-6 in the K-6 section; two for grades 7-8; and two in grades 9-12.

“Only one person qualified for the K-3 section of the Fall Scholars Tournament, so we will extend three invitations to students in the K-3 section of Queens’ Quest to compete in the City Chess Championship,” Bartlett said.

Deadline for early registration is Nov. 16. After this date, the registration fee doubles; late registrants must take a first-round half-point bye to start the first round on time. (The Under 500 section is limited to fourth- through sixth-graders only.)

Standings and pairings will be posted to madisonchess.com.

Food trucks for barbecue, pizza and desserts will be available for lunch. Concession workers will sell water and chips. Door prizes will be given throughout the day.

The House of Staunton also will offer special prize drawings for new silicone chess sets and boards.

To register, visit madisonchess.com and click the Queen’s Quest section. For more information, email mccl.director@gmail.com or visit madisonchess.com.