Madison City Chess League gears up for All-Girls Championship

MADISON – Girls in Madison City Chess League or MCCL will compete in the 2025 Alabama All-Girls State Chess Championship on Feb. 8, 2025.

The venue for the championship is Cook Museum of Natural Science in Decatur at 133 4th Avenue NE.

This tournament will have three sections: K-12, K-6 and K-3. “The winner of the K-12 Section will be eligible to represent Alabama at the Ruth Haring National Tournament of Girls State Champions,” MCCL Executive Director Todd Guthrie said.

At the All-Girls State Chess Championship, officials will award prizes to top teams. “You need at least two players from the same school in a section to be considered a team so get your teammates to register,” Guthrie said.

State Sen. Arthur Orr is the sponsor for the All-Girls State Chess Championship.

Time control for the K-12 Section will be Game 45/d5 (4SS). Round times are scheduled for 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.

For the K-6 and K-3 sections, the time control will be Game 30/d5 (5SS). Round times will be 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.

In team play, the top four individual scores from the same school in each section will comprise the team score.

All players must have a membership in US Chess and Alabama Chess Federation. Players should obtain a membership online before registration. For US Chess membership, visit uschess.org. For Alabama Chess Federation membership, visit alabamachess.org.

For individual prizes, players who earn first through fifth place will receive a trophy. Players who tie for fifth place in each section will receive a medal.

For team prizes, tournament officials will award trophies to the teams that claim first, second and third place in each section.

The entry fee will be $25 for payments through Jan. 31. After that date, the event fee increases to $50 and is due by Feb. 5. Players cannot register onsite at the tournament.

To register for the tournament, visit madisonchess.com, and scroll to the option for “2025 All-Girls State Chess Championship” and click “View.” On the new window, fill out the registration form.

The K-12 Champion in the 2025 All-Girls State Chess Championship will represent Alabama at the Ruth Haring National Tournament of Girls State Champions. For more information, email mccl.director@gmail.com or visit madisonchess. com.