Alabama State Chess Championship open to chess players

MADISON – Members of Madison City Chess League can set their sights on the Alabama State Chess Championship, scheduled for Labor Day Weekend, Aug 29 through Aug. 31.

The 2025 championship will be held in Chelsea, which is south of Birmingham, at the Chelsea Community Center, 11101 Hwy. 47.

The tournament host is ChessKidsNation, an affiliate of the United States Chess Federation or USCF. The federation is the national sanctioning organization for chess tournaments and functions as a main chess resource for players.

ChessKidsNation founder Balagee Govindan is a USCF-certified chess coach and has retained his love for chess since his childhood growing up in Chennai, India.

USCF membership is required for all sessions. Alabama Chess Federation or ACF membership is required for Alabama residents. Controls for all sessions will be 6SS G/120, dS.

Available sections will be Open; Reserve – U1600; and Amateur – U1200. Awards vary by section:

• Open – First place, $750 and a plaque; second place, $500; and U1900, $300.

• Reserve – U1600 – First place, $500 and a plaque; second place, $300; and U1400, $200.

• Amateur – U1200 – First place, $350 and a plaque; second place, $200; and U100, $150.

Rounds will open on Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. On Aug. 30, round times are scheduled for 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. On Aug. 31, the final day, rounds will be held at 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The annual membership meeting of the Alabama Chess Federation will be held on Aug. 31 from 1 to 2 p.m.

Entry fee is $60 through Aug. 20. The fee for late registration will be $80 until registration closes on Aug. 27 at midnight. Onsite registration will not be available.

To register, visit chesskidsnation. com/event/alabama- state-chess-championship. Complete the registration form.

For more information, call Govindan at 205421-1523, email contact@ChessKidsNation.com or visit ChessKidsNation. com.

To contact MCCL, email mccl.director@gmail. com, visit madisonchess. com or send postal mail to P.O. Box 843, Madison, AL 35758.