Chess players monitor busy February schedule

MADISON – The dreary days of winter are a hotbed of contests and tournaments for players in Madison City Chess League.

“We are very excited to be back at Madison Public Library on Monday nights with our new hours of 6:15 to 7:45 p.m.,” Ranae Bartlett said. “Coach Will is going to let everyone practice Bughouse to get ready for our upcoming Bughouse tournament fundraiser for the library on Feb. 11.”

The first contest of 2019, the Winter Knights Tournament during the weekend of Jan. 19 will be held at Columbia Elementary School. Winter Knights is an individual tournament with rated sections by age group. Two non-rated sections also will be available, K-3 and K-6 grades.

On Jan. 26, Blossomwood Elementary School at 1321 Woodmont Ave. in Huntsville will host Rookie Rally, one of the largest team and individual chess tournaments in North Alabama. Players will divide into five rated sections.

For Rookie Rally, the top four players on any school team will comprise the team score, Bartlett said. Registration fee is $25 for all competitors.

The All Girls K-6 Tournament on Feb. 9 at 8:45 a.m. will feature three rounds of United States Chess Federation or USCF dual-rated games. Horizon Elementary School will host this contest. Officials are limiting participation to the first 40 registrants.

“The first-place winner in the top quad in the girls tournament will receive a free one-year subscription to Chessable.com,” Bartlett said. Female chess team players in middle and high school are invited to volunteer as coaches and floor and back-room tournament directors, along with assisting in setup/cleanup for the tournament.

Two separate tourneys are planned for Feb. 10. The chess league’s Blitz Scholastic Tournament will be held at Rainbow Elementary School from 1:15 to 5:30 p.m. Registration deadline is Feb. 8. Contestants must hold USCF membership.

Also on Feb. 10, the Madison City Kindergarten Tournament will see its second consecutive year. Rainbow will host the event from 2 to 5 p.m. Registration deadline is Feb. 7, and registration is limited to the first 20 competitors.

For more information, call 256-970-4762, email mccl.director@gmail.com or visit madisonchess.com.