News

Halloween Chess Tournament

Sponsored by Sullins Eye Care Center

Saturday October 31^st at 10 a.m.

Madison City Schools Stadium

211 Celtic Drive, Madison AL 35758

Kids play chess outside on the turf field!

The Madison City Chess League is excited to announce a FIRST in Madison--an outdoor chess tournament held at Madison City Schools Stadium on the new turf field! "I have always wanted to host a chess tournament on a football field," said MCCL Executive Director Ranae Bartlett. Organizers are keeping their fingers crossed that the weather will cooperate. Our kids miss playing chess over-the-board, and holding a chess tournament outdoors observing Madison City Schools safety protocols will make this a fun, unique event in more ways than one.

First, parents and family members will be able to observe the chess games from the stands just like they would be seated at a football game sitting 6 feet from other families. Normally, parents would not be allowed inside a tournament playing room, but here parents can even bring binoculars and watch the games as they are played. Kids can also run around along the end zones or designated areas around the field in between rounds. Lunch will be available for purchase by Mei Wei from the concession stand, and we just ask that no food be taken on the turf field. 

Another unique aspect of the event is a Costume Contest that will also include categories for "best mask" and "scariest gloves" acknowledging the unique circumstances we find ourselves in.

Halloween Costume Contest:  Kids--wear your Halloween Costumes while you play

Prize Categories:

• best mask
• scariest gloves
• best chess-themed costume
• most creative costume

The tournament will also offer students in grades K-12 the opportunity to play in either non-rated or rated sections. In the rated sections, players will be playing a Quick time control of 20 minutes per side with a five second delay. Quick rated games do not require players to record their moves as they play like Regular rated games. Chess sets and clocks will be provided, and all chess equipment will be sanitized after each round with an ion sprayer. Players will be required to wear a mask during their rounds.

TOURNAMENT DETAILS

Rated Sections: K-3; K-5; K-8; K-12   USCF membership required for rated section only.

Non-Rated Section: K-2; K-5

Approximate Round Times:   10:00, 11:00, 12:30, 1:30     

Time Control: Game 20/d5

Registration Fee: $20 for MCCL members; $25 for non-MCCL members. Register online at www.madisonchess.com

Awards: Rated sections 1^st-10^th; Non-Rated sections 1^st-5^th

Safety Protocols:

• All attendees will wear masks as they enter and leave the stadium. Family units can remove masks and sit together in the stands or in designated areas outside the playing field.
• We encourage non-family units and guests to maintain a 6ft distance.
• All competitors will use hand sanitizer and wear masks during their games. Boards and pieces will be sanitized after each round with ion sprayer.
• Anyone who develops fever, cough or flu/covid type symptoms should not attend, and your registration fee will be refunded up to the start of the tournament if you notify MCCL.