Register now for Fall Scholars Chess Tourney
MADISON – In October, Madison students can participate in a chess tournament open exclusively to themselves.
The Fall Scholars Chess Tournament on Oct. 21 will open with a mandatory players meeting at 9 a.m. at Madison Elementary School, 17 College St.
“Sponsored by Madison City Schools, Fall Scholars occurs right after fall break. This is the only tournament of the year conducted by Madison City Chess League that is closed for Madison students only,” league executive director Ranae Bartlett said.
Fall Scholars’ top two elementary finishers in the Championship section in grades K-6 will be invited to train with middle-school chess teams for their feeder pattern.
The Championship section offers 60-minute games played in four rounds, while the rest of the sections (rated under 1,000, rated under 500 and non-rated) offer 30-minute games played in five rounds.
Entrants must register online by Oct. 18. No one can register on-site. To register online, visit madisonchess.com/products/49.
Registration fee is $20 for MCCL members. The fee is $25 if the player is not in MCCL. The pairing will be 4SS for Championship section and 5SS for all other sections.
New for 2017, three rated sections are subdivided in increments of 500 ratings points: U500, U1000, Championship. “Last year, we only had two rated sections. More sections mean more awards this year,” Bartlett said.
Only two Non-Rated sections will be available: grades K-2 and 3-6. Unrated players in grades 7-12 must play in Rated U500 section and register for a USCF membership.
“If you want to try your first rated tournament, Under 500 is a great section to compete in during Fall Scholars,” Bartlett said.
Fall Scholars is not a qualifier tournament for the City Chess Championship, which will be an open, grade-level championship with a champion for each grade level.
The Rated section will include Championship (K-12); Under 1000 (K-12); and Under 500 (K-12). Prizes will be trophies for places 1-3 and medals for places 4-6 and Top Female. USCF membership is required.
The Non-Rated section includes K-2 and 3-6. (Students in grades 7-12 and non-rated must play in Rated Under 500 section and register for USCF.) Prizes will be medals for first- through tenth-places and Top Female.
