Tournaments and practices open for chess players
(CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – Youth interested in the game of chess have several opportunities to explore in upcoming weeks.
The North Alabama Open Tournament, an individual-only competition, will be held Jan. 11 at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Deadline for email registration is Jan. 8. The tournament director will allow students to either email the form or bring payment on tournament day with director approval.
For information, call 334-868-0271 or email to CaesarChess@yahoo.com.
The Rookie Rally is scheduled at Blossomwood Elementary School in Huntsville on Feb. 1. Registration deadline is Jan. 27.
The third local tournament is the Bishop’s Bash at Hampton Cove Elementary School on March 1. Visit AlabamaChess.com for posting of the registration form.
Neil Dietsch, Alabama Chess Federation president, urges chess coaches to schedule teams for the Alabama State Scholastic Championship in Montevallo in March.
“This year, we’ll award more trophies than ever. This is a big, exciting event for all participants — kids and coaches,” Dietsch said. “This year, we’re expecting over 200 participants.” For more information, visit alabamachess.org.
Madison has two outstanding opportunities for children to play chess and prepare for chess tournaments, parent volunteer Ranae Bartlett said. “First, each school has a chess club that meets either before or after school. Since July 2013, we have a Madison City Chess League that now meets on Monday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hogan Family YMCA.”
The league will launch its 2014 meetings on Jan. 13 and is designed for youth and adults who already know how to play chess. League membership is free for all Madison students in grades K-12 who can play chess.
“Adult YMCA members can work out while their kids play chess,” Bartlett said. Parents who aren’t YMCA members must remain on the premises with children 12 years old and younger and can wait in the lobby. Noel Newquist, Bill Nash and Bartlett volunteer their time during league meetings.
For more information about the Madison league, email to rbartlett@madisoncity.k12.al.us or visit Facebook/MadisonCityChessLeague.
