Summer Knights Scholastic Chess Tournament to open season on Aug. 23

MADISON – Considered a teaching contest, the Summer Knights Scholastic Chess Tournament will open the chess season for members of Madison City Chess League or MCCL and other players.

Registration for Summer Knights is now open for the tournament on Aug. 23. Rainbow Elementary School will host the tourney.

“This unrated practice tournament will kick off the fall semester,” MCCL Executive Director Todd Guthrie said. Summer Knights serves as an excellent teaching tournament for players to learn chess rules, how to use a chess clock and to practice notating their moves during play.

There are Rated sections for those chess players who are already rated, along with chess players who are ready to compete against those who are rated. There are Non-Rated sections for beginner chess players who are not yet rated, Guthrie said.

“We will not submit a tournament report to US Chess. This tournament is an opportunity for everyone to compete, not worry about ratings and play in their first tournament of the school year,” Guthrie said.

“Even experienced players who competed in Rated sections enjoyed getting back into the swing of things without any pressure from ratings reports while still winning lots of awards,” Guthrie said.

CB&S Bank is sponsoring the Summer Knights tournament.

The format is five rounds at G/30, d5. Time Control will be G/30, d5.

Summer Knights will open with a players meeting at 9 a.m. Round times will be 9:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. All sections will follow this same schedule.

Players in Rated Sections K-12 Open; K-12 Under 1,000; and K-12 Under 500 will receive medals for first through tenth places. A trophy for first place and medals based on registration will go to players in Non-Rated Sections K-12; K-6; and K-3.

Summer Knights does not require US Chess membership.

Registration fee is $20 for MCCL members who register by 8 p.m. on Aug. 20; the fee is $30 for players who aren’t members.

“If you’re a current member (and logged in), the price will show as $20 in your cart. If you’re not a current member and want to receive member discount, purchase a membership (which covers the whole family) in a separate order before you register for Summer Knights,” Guthrie said.

Deadline to register online is Aug. 20 at 8 p.m.

For more information, email mccl.director@gmail.com or visit madisonchess.com.