Chess league to celebrate fifth anniversary
MADISON – In July 2013, 14 youngsters met at Rainbow Landing Clubhouse to organize Madison City Chess League. Now, five years later, MCCL boasts 200-plus members.
MCCL will celebrate its fifth anniversary with an international food festival, representing the diverse cultures playing chess in Madison. Rainbow Elementary School, 50 Nance Road will host the celebration on July 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We want to welcome the public to join us for this event,” MCCL Executive Director Ranae Bartlett said.
A planning committee with Nancy Brandon, Pradipta Das, Ashley Lang, Jenika Maskey, Manju Mynampally, Rosi Rajbhandari and Talita Wallace has been planning the event.
Members and guests can sign up to bring ethnic food for a particular country; visit madisonchess.com and click the sign-up link. “Make a sign, bring a flag, and or dress in the culture of the food you plan to bring,” Bartlett said. “You can support MCCL by donating a dish (appetizer, side dish, main entree or dessert), or by purchasing tickets to sample the food.”
Guests also can donate drinks, plates, utensils or paper products.
Numerous chess-related activities will be available. Guests of all ages can play in the “Back-to-School Bughouse Tournament,” outdoor chess classroom with teams and “ChessKid Stage” iPad activity for prospective players, along with ChessKid puzzles and giveaways.
The Girls’ Chess Club will have a booth to sell sea-glass bead jewelry. Fifth-anniversary MCCL shirts will be sold. Will Stevenson will lead a “Take All Challengers Blitz.” Jonathan Rasberry will host “Take All Challengers Bullet” one-minute games.
For MCCL’s first meeting in 2013, Madison County Commissioner Steve Haraway donated funds for their first chess sets.
“Within six months, we outgrew the space and moved our Monday night meetings to Hogan Family YMCA. MCCL then moved to Dublin Park. In January 2018, MCCL moved to its most recent home at the new Madison Public. Library,” Bartlett said.
Chess on Monday nights continues today from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
In its five-year history, MCCL has sponsored memorable events in Alabama chess:
* 2014 — Elementary school and club state championships. An online, international chess match with China.
* 2015 — National Chess Day at U.S. Space & Rocket Center. First MCCL Challenge.
* 2016 — Alabama State Chess Championship at University of Alabama in Huntsville. National K12 Tournament in Nashville, Tenn.
* 2017 — State Scholastic Chess Championship at Bob Jones High School. Summer Chess Camp with International Master Danny Rensch. Fall Chess Camp with Grand Master Alex Stripunsky and Fide Master Mike Klein.
* 2018 — Grade Level City Chess Championship and All Girls State Chess Championship.
Scott Wilhelm has captured photographs for many MCCL activities.
For more information, visit madisonchess.com.
