2017 State Scholastic Chess Championship - Bob Jones High School (Madison) - March 11, 12, 2017

The single largest chess event in the State of Alabama is the Scholastic Chess Championship, and 2017 will be no exception as the newly renovated Bob Jones High School welcomes the State's top chess-playing students to Madison to compete for the top prize.  In 2016, Madison school chess teams swept all team awards in the Primary and Elementary sections and repeated as State Champs in the Junior High school section.  So, the bar has been set pretty high as Madison now hosts the rest of the State this spring.

The Madison City Chess League is sponsoring this event and plans to have an assortment of food vendors to offer competitors and their families convenient dining options during both days of the championship.  The individual competition will occur on Saturday, March 11th, and the team competition will occur on Sunday, March 12th.  The awards ceremony will take place in Zompa Auditorium on the Bob Jones campus.

The Madison City Chess League, Madison City Schools, State Senator Arthur Orr, and Adtran are pleased to sponsor this event and help bring it to Madison in 2017.  Chess programs in Madison have contributed to the growth in competitive chess players in the State of Alabama, and our families have traveled as far as Mobile to compete in the State Scholastic Chess Championship.  In the past, over 200 students have competed in the State Scholastic Chess Championship.  We expect record attendance in the spring of 2017.  

Questions about the event should be directed to Ranae Bartlett, MCCL Executive Director at mccl.director@gmail.com. 

Skittles Area and Food

Bob Jones High School will offer two main Skittles areas for the players and their families to hang out in between rounds.  There also will be outdoor patio areas and common areas where visitors can wait.  The cafeteria will host the local teams from Madison and the main gym will serve as the Skittles area for out-of-town guests.  Concessions will be offered by the Bob Jones Patriot Band which will include Chick-Fil-A biscuits and sandwiches (Sat), pizza (Sunday), hot dogs, popcorn, drinks and candy.  They will also offer coffee and hot chocolate.

A hot lunch option will be provided both Saturday and Sunday.  On Saturday, Tellini's will offer Italian pasta options (with or without meat) and salad for $6 adult and $4 per child.  on Sunday, Mei Wei Asian Bistro will offer both vegetarian and meat options for $6 adult and $4 per child.

Saturday Schedule

9:45 a.m. - Player Meeting - Zompa Auditorium

Open and Jr High Championship Sections (Game 45/d5)

Location:  Upstairs next to Library in Patriot Hall

10:00 a.m.    Round 1

12:45 p.m.    Round 2

2:30 p.m.    Round 3

4:15 p.m.    Round 4

6:00 p.m.    Awards Ceremony - Zompa Auditorium (approximate time)

All Other Sections (including Primary, Elementary, and all "Under" sections) (Game 30/d5)

Location:  Downstairs Practice Gym and Career Tech Lab

10:00 a.m.    Round 1

11:15 a.m.   Round 2

1:30 p.m.   Round 3

2:45 p.m.   Round 4

4:00 p.m.    Round 5

5:30 p.m.    Awards Ceremony -  Zompa Auditorium (approximate time)

Sections for Individual Event

Championship Sections:  *Primary (K-3), Elementary (K-6), Jr. High (K-8), and Open (K-12).

Under Sections:  Elementary (4th-6th) Under 600, Jr. High Under 800, Open Under 1000.

MCCL recommends that all students in grades K-3 play in the Primary (K-3) section, and not choose to play in "Under" sections.

Sunday Schedule

Open and Jr High Championship Sections (Game 45/d5)

Location:  Upstairs next to Library in Patriot Hall

10:00 a.m.    Round 1

12:45 p.m.    Round 2

2:30 p.m.    Round 3

4:15 p.m.    Round 4

6:00 p.m.    Awards Ceremony - Zompa Auditorium (approximate time)

Primary and Elementary Sections (Game 30/d5)

Location:  Downstairs Practice Gym and Career Tech Lab

10:00 a.m.    Round 1

11:15 a.m.   Round 2

1:30 p.m.   Round 3

2:45 p.m.   Round 4

4:30 p.m.    Awards Ceremony -  Zompa Auditorium (approximate time)

Tournament Registration

Students in grades K-12 may register for the Individual tournament on Saturday March 11th using this form and pay the early fee of $25 by the February 28th deadline.  The fee increases to $35 after the deadline.  There is also a family fee of $55 by the early registration deadline of Feb. 28th.  Forms should be mailed to: MCCL, Attn: Bill Nash, P.O. Box 843, Madison, AL  35758.

Coaches or chess team sponsors can register their four-person teams for the Team tournament on Sunday March 12th in either a School or Club team category.  The early registration deadline for teams to pay $50 is March 8th.  After the deadline, the team fee doubles to $100.  Register your teams by mailing this form to:  MCCL, Attn:  Bill Nash, P.O. Box 843, Madison, AL  35758.  

All students competing in the Individual or Team event must have both a United States Chess Federation (USCF) and Alabama Chess Federation (ACF) memberships.  You can get both memberships online.  When renewing your USCF registration, be sure to use the MCCL Affiliate # A6040788 in the membership appreciate code box.