Summer Chess Camp open to all ages, skill levels

MADISON – When summer arrives, young people (and their parents) search for a diversion from long days at home.

Following that option, Madison City Chess League or MCCL is offering its Summer Chess Camp for a fun, summertime venture that also educates youth about facets of the game.

MCCL Summer Chess Camp will meet on June 26-30 at Discovery Middle School. The camp is open to youth in grades K-12. The fee for all camps is $150.

“The morning sessions from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and afternoon from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. will be available for all levels of players,” MCCL President Ranae Bartlett said.

The “Learn to Play Chess” half-day camp on June 26-30 targets individuals who want to understand the game or have never played in a U.S. Chess Federation- or USCF-rated tournament.

The camp will help students rising to grades K-5 who want to learn about basic rules, point values of pieces, checkmate patterns and strategy. Campers will receive a workbook. Joel Friedman will be the instructor.

“Introduction to Competition Chess Camp” is suitable for children who will advance to grades K-12 when the 2023-2024 school year opens. This camp is “for the student who has been playing chess less than one year or has not played in USCF-rated tournament and wants to get ready to compete in tournaments in the fall,” Bartlett said. Instructors will be Will Stevenson and Jonathan Rasberry.

“Afternoon classes are for those who have a USCF rating, and classes are organized by rating level,” Bartlett said.

The “Beginning Competition Chess Camp” will meet all five days. Will Stevenson will lead the group.

This half-day camp is open to students in grades K-5 who are rated under 500. The camper should be focused on tactics, endgames and tournament rules and notation. “This camp is for younger students who have competed in rated tournaments and have a USCF rating under 500,” Bartlett said.

The “Intermediate Competition Chess Camp” will have a target audience of students in grades K-12 who have a USCF rating of 500 to 1,000. Joel Friedman will instruct these campers.

The “Advanced Competition Chess Camp” will have Jonathan Rasberry for the instructor. The advanced camp is intended for students in grades K-12 students with a USCF rating above 1,000.

Campers can bring a water bottle and snack. MCCL shirts will be available for purchase for $20 on the first day of camp.

MCCL’s mailing address is P.O. Box 843, Madison, AL 35758. For more information, email mccl.director@gmail.com or visit madisonchess.com or Facebook.