MCCL members travel to Texas for middle school tourney
Asher Allison, a member of Madison City Chess League, entered the National Middle School Chess Tournament in Round Rock, Texas and played a Simultaneous chess match with Grand Master Julio Sadorra. CONTRIBUTED
Discovery Middle School, Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
7:51 pm Saturday, May 6, 2023

MCCL members travel to Texas for middle school tourney

MADISON – To reach a recent tournament, chess players from Madison had to follow the lyrics of a rhythm ‘n blues standard. “Ain’t no mountain high enough . . . ain’t no valley low enough . . . ain’t no river wide enough.”

“The National Middle School Chess Tournament was not for the faint of heart. It took determination to fly to Austin and then travel to Round Rock, Texas for the tournament site,” Ranae Bartlett said. Bartlett serves as President of Madison City Chess League or MCCL.

“Once there, things ran pretty smoothly. We were small in number but mighty!” Bartlett said. “Individually, our kids learned a lot and even brought home some hardware.”

Madison player Xavier Bruni traveled a day early to the national tournament so he could compete in the K-8 Blitz Championship on April 20 during the long weekend. Bruni competed with the best middle-school blitz players in the country.

“Xavier finished in second place after six rounds. Congratulations, Xavier,” Bartlett said. In addition, Bruni took 20th place in K-8 Championship. “Xavier reached a personal best of five points in the K-8 Championship section. The competition in the Championship section was fierce, but Xavier showed up to compete. Way to go.”

Asher Allison, a third-grader at Rainbow Elementary School, seized a once-in-a-lifetime chance during the National Middle School Tournament by starting the tournament with a Simultaneous chess match with Grand Master Julio Sadorra.

“Grand Master Sadorra continued to encourage and advise Asher throughout the tournament,” Bartlett said. “He was a favorite among all the competitors.”

Cohen Tate, a seventh-grader at Discovery Middle School, finished 14th with 5.5 pts after 7 rounds in the Under 900 section. The top 15 places in the Under 900 section received a large bronze medal, so Tate received this medal because of his place ranking.

“Thanks to Coach Will Stevenson who coached MCCL members who competed over three days with a new time control of Game 90/d10,” Bartlett said.

In recurring events, MCCL Adult Chess Club meets at Madison Public Library on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m.

MCCL students meet on Monday nights, also at the library, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Players will be provided with chess sets. Students in grades K-12 who know how to play chess are welcome to attend.

For more information, call 256-970-4762, email mccl.director@gmail.com or visit madisonchess.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...
The Madison Street Festival is less than a month away
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – The first Saturday in October. That’s the day Madison residents turn out to visit with friends and neighbors, promote school groups, shop fo...

Leave a Reply

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