Madison City Chess League youth augment skills at summer meets

MADISON – Chess players can avoid the ‘summer slide’ and keep their skills sharpened with numerous tournaments across Alabama and in other states.

“Are you wanting to compete this summer? If you have time to travel this summer, consider playing some chess against players you’ve not faced before,” Todd Guthrie said. Guthrie is Executive Director of Madison City Chess League or MCCL.

• Birmingham Classic, July 12 – At The Church at Brook Hills, 3145 Brook Highland Parkway in Birmingham. Caesar Lawrence will conduct this tournament. Lawrence is affiliated with U.S. Chess Federation, certified as a chess coach and tournament director, along with serving as licensed/insured affiliate with U.S. Chess Federation. (caesarchess.com/event/2025-birmingham- classic)

• Birmingham Scholastic, July 12 – At The Church at Brook Hills. Caesar Lawrence is also conducting this meet (see above). This tourney is a ‘not rated event’ for students in grades K-12 and USCF Provisional Rated (<500p). (caesarchess.com/event/2025-birmingham- scholastic)

• 2025 Sunshine Showdown Scholastic, July 19 – At Young Meadows PCA, 5780 Vaughn Road in Montgomery. This event is a Rasberry Chess Academy Chess Tournament. “Open” and “U500” sections are open for USCF-rated play for grades K-12. For Non-Rated rounds, sections will be available for K-12 and for K-3. (rasberrychess.com/upcoming- tournaments/2025-sunshine-showdown) • 2025 Alabama Dual-Rated State Championship, July 19 — Evangel Church, 3975 Vaughn Road in Montgomery. Three sections will be available: Open (all ratings), U1800 and U1200. USCF tie-breaks and head-to-head results will determine trophy winners. (alabamachess.org/events/alabama-dual- rated-state-chess-championship-4)

• Nashville Chess Center or NCC Monthly Swiss, July 19 – Nashville Chess Center, 2911 Belmont Blvd. in Nashville, Tenn. NCC hosts various tournaments year-round. Their events offer opportunities for players to compete and expand their game knowledge. (nashvillechess.org)

• Tennessee Summer Speed Series – Three competitions will include First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 907 E. Main St., Murfreesboro, Tenn. on July 12; Cumberland County Community Complex, 1398 Livingston Road, Crossville, Tenn. on July 19; and Nashville Chess Center, 2911 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, July 26. These competitions will have Quick and Blitz play. (nashvillechess. org) Players can plan for the 2025 Alabama State Chess Championship in Birmingham on Labor Day weekend (Aug. 2931). Tournament site will be Liberty Church, 2732 Old Rocky Ridge Road in Birmingham. ChessKidsNation will host the championship with sections for Open; Reserve – U1600; and Amateur – U1200. (chesskidsnation.com/event/alabama- state-chess-championship) In addition, MCCL will continue online sessions with chess.com on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoon tournaments. For more information, email mccl.director@gmail.com, or visit madisonchess.com.