Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
9:45 pm Friday, January 5, 2018

All Girls State Chess Championship to premiere in Madison

MADISON – Madison City Chess League has announced that the first ever All Girls State Chess Championship for Alabama Chess Federation will be held in Madison.

Bob Jones High School will host the event on April 28.

Bob Jones hosted the Alabama State Scholastic Chess Championship in spring 2017, so the location is familiar for many chess players throughout the state. “This is an historic event as Alabama has never conducted an All Girls Chess Championship,” MCCL Executive Director Ranae Bartlett said.

According to the U.S. Chess Federation, only 12 percent of competitive chess players in the country are female. The major drop-off occurs in middle school. “It’s imperative that those organizing chess programs and tournaments not ignore this disparity, but do something about it,” Bartlett said.

For its efforts, MCCL is seeing dividends. Girls account for 50 percent of Discovery Middle School Chess Team’s membership.

Girls starting to play competitive chess may find an all-girls tournament a more welcoming environment and realize numerous other girls like the game, Bartlett said.

Bob Jones Principal Sylvia Lambert supports the chess club’s decision to host the all-girls championship. The club received Alabama Chess Federation’s approval, and members of Bob Jones Chess Club met during winter break to start planning as event sponsors.

Chess Club President Michael Guthrie said members want “to attract more female chess players to competitive chess — some who may not consider competing in the State Scholastic Chess Championship in March. By creating an All-Girls State Championship, we hope more girls will compete in a state-wide event.”

Girls in grades K-12 are encouraged to register online for the inaugural championship, which will offer both team and individual awards to school teams. Visit madisonchess.com/events/279/all-girls-state-chess-championship-428.

One exciting aspect of hosting is that the champion in K-12 will represent Alabama in the National Girls Tournament of Champions.

In addition, Bob Jones Chess Club is accepting proposals for logo designs to promote the tournament’s spirit and celebration of girls playing chess in Alabama. Deadline is Jan. 31. Email a jpeg image to mccl.director@gmail.com.

Also on The Madison Record
Space Command relocation to Huntsville to bring area growth
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
HUNTSVILLE — Officials expect at least 1,400 jobs to be directly added to the north Alabama area with the U.S. Space Command Headquarters permanently ...
Newly elected Madison mayor to depart US Chess role
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Ranae Bartlett was named US Chess Executive Director in 2024
By JOHN HARTMANN US Chess Press 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - It is said that no one can serve two masters. And so US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett is trading Caïssa for the people of Madison,...
Triana Fire Department train for medical helicopter operation
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
TRIANA – Firefighters who work in Triana Fire Department recently accomplished a new milestone in their training to serve and protect their town. On-s...
Itty Bitty Bakers sweetens the community with classes
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Sweeten your day, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes for locals, from 18 months to adults. Itty Bitty Bakers owner Kayla Johnson has be...
Madison Visionary Partners to host Gather Madison, volunteers needed
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
EVENTS
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...
Kids to Love to go “Over the Edge” for children in foster care Sept. 19-20
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Bold, compassionate individuals will be going “Over the Edge” for Kids to Love during a thrilling two-day fundraiser where participants rapp...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *