League plans three more tourneys in 2017
MADISON – Chess aficionados across North Alabama can plan for three major tournaments during the remaining months in 2017. Madison City Chess League sponsors the contests.
Sponsored by CB&S Bank, the Summer Knights Chess Tournament on Aug. 26 will be held at Rainbow Elementary School.
“Although we are offering both a Rated section (for those with a U.S. Chess Federation rating) and a Non-Rated section for beginning players, we will not issue a tournament report to USCF,” league executive director Ranae Bartlett said.
Summer Knights “is an opportunity for everyone to relax, not worry about ratings, but play in their first chess tournament early in the school year to prepare for the state championship in Birmingham over Labor Day weekend,” Bartlett said.
Rated sections will include K-12 (Open); K-12 Under 1000; and K-12 Under 500. First- through third-place winners will receive trophies, while places four, six and top female earn medals.
Summer Knights’ Non-Rated sections will include K-12, K-6 and K-3. First place will receive a trophy. Medals will be based on enrollment and for top female.
Summer Knights’ registration fee is $20 for MCCL members and $25 for other players. Registration deadline is Aug. 23.
Madison City Schools Fall Scholars Tournament on Oct. 21 will convene at Madison Elementary School. Sponsorship is $500.
“We’ve added another Rated section to mirror rated sections at Summer Knights. Also, we created a new Non-Rated K-2 and Non-Rated 3-6 sections,” Bartlett said. “We’re asking any students in grade 7-12 to play in Rated Under 500 section.”
Rated section competitors must have USCF membership.
Fall Scholars’ Rated sections include Championship (K-12); Under 1000 (K-12); and Under 500 (K-12). Places one through three will receive trophies. Places four, six and top female earn medals.
Non-Rated sections will be K-2 and 3-6. First- through fifth-place winners, along with top female, will receive medals. Registration fee is $20 for MCCL members and $25 for others.
Queen’s Quest tourney on Nov. 18 will be held at Mill Creek Elementary School. Sponsorship is $1,000.
“We’re re-imagining Queen’s Quest to recognize some trends at 2016 fall tournaments,” Bartlett said. “One trend was how our K-3 sections continue to grow. We added an Under 500 section to K-6 because that had grown into the largest section and pairings became unwieldy.”
“Now, we’re seeing K-3 sections become the largest. It’s time to divide this section into two sections: K-3 Under 300 and K-3 Championship,” she said. “Queen’s Quest will become a rated Elementary team and individual tournament with four sections: K-3 Under 300, K-3 Championship, K-6 Under 500 and K-6 Championship.”
This tournament offers both team and individual awards so registration will increase to $25.
“MCCL will conduct a four-round tournament to determine the winner of Varsity Section of MCCL Team Cup Championship for middle and high school players during Queen’s Quest,” Bartlett said. “Coaches and sponsors for middle and high school teams will choose students to represent their schools. This event has no fee but all participants must be MCCL members.”
Coaches will register teams by Oct. 6.
MCCL is seeking sponsors for local events. “We welcome sponsors for each tournament to help us pay for awards and tournament directors,” Bartlett said.
For information, email to mccl.director@gmail.com or visit madisonchess.com or Facebook/Madison City Chess League.
