Players to dress in costume for Halloween Chess Tournament on Oct. 26 at stadium
MADISON – Players masquerading as chess board pieces, witches, warlocks and a hodgepodge of mysterious oddities will compete in the Halloween Chess Tournament.
Madison City Chess League or MCCL will present the event on the field of Madison City Schools Stadium, 211 Celtic Drive on Oct. 26. The event will start at 10 a.m.
Sullins Eye Care Center is the sponsor for the Halloween Chess Tournament.
Contestants will play chess outside on the stadium’s turf. “We will have a Halloween costume contest. The kids will wear their Halloween costumes while they play,” Todd Guthrie said. Guthrie is Executive Director of Madison City Chess league.
Chess players will vie for prizes in categories for “Best Mask” for scary creatures or authentic historical characters, and “Scariest Gloves” that will eke terror as the players move their chess pieces on the board.
In addition, the students will be judged for their overall getups for “Best Chess-Themed Costume,” such as a knight, rook, bishop or other image related to the game. The award for “Most Creative Costume” must show originality in its design but does not have to follow a chess theme.
A tradition for this tournament has been the Halloween Dance-Off. The tournament players will show their moves to comical, spooky music.
The tournament’s Rated Sections will include kindergarten through grade 3 or K-3; K-5; K-8; and K-12. For Rated Sections, players must have US Chess membership. For a membership, visit madisonchess. com, and click the “Events” menu. Click “Upcoming Events,” and then click “2024 Halloween Tournament.” Click “Registration Information for Rated Tournament” to complete registration options.
For the Practice Sections in the tournament, the Non-rated K-2 and Non-rated K-5 sections will be available. Round times will include 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:20 p.m. and 1:20 p.m.
In presentation of awards, players in Rated sections that rank in first through eighth places will receive an award. For Non-Rated sections, players in first through fifth places will earn an award.
Registration fee is $20 for MCCL members or $30 for players who aren’t members. Deadline to register is Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. To register, visit madisonchess. com.
