Chess league offers tournament just for kindergartners

MADISON – Kindergartners who have an inclination for the game of chess can enter an event custom-tailored for them.

“Yes, kindergarteners not only play chess, but they can compete in the unique 2021 Madison City Kindergarten Chess Tournament,” Ranae Bartlett said. Bartlett serves as Executive Director of Madison City Chess League.

The MCCL tournament is open to any student enrolled in kindergarten in home, private or public school. Madison City Schools provides a free ChessKid account to every elementary student, and kindergartners can access the software with Clever.

“If you do not attend Madison City Schools, just include your ChessKid Username to add yourself when you register,” Bartlett said. Students in pre-kindergarten also can enter. If the child is not a Madison student, include ChessKid Username in the “Notes” section during registration.

Tournament players will visit ChessKid.com on Feb. 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. The tournament allows 15 minutes per side with 5 rounds.

“No memberships are required,” Bartlett said. “For both rated and non-rated kindergarten students, this will be a non-rated tournament and great practice for the Kindergarten section of the Madison City Chess Championship.”

Registration deadline is Feb. 25. Entry fee is $10 for MCCL members, or $20 for players who are not members.

To register, visit madisonchess.com, and click the section for Madison City Kindergarten Chess Tournament. On the next page, scroll down and click “Please Login/Register.”

To join tournaments, visit Play vs. Kid, and click the tournament you want to join (on the right of the screen). Players can join a ChessKid tournament 15 minutes before start time; join early so you don’t miss the first round, Bartlett said.

Players in the top ten will receive medals.

“Most online tournaments are not rated and will only affect your ChessKid or Chess.com ratings in that system. If a tournament is rated on Chess.com, tournament details will indicate this status,” Bartlett said.

U.S. Chess Federation members have numerous benefits:

* Earning a rating in Official National Rating System for over-the-board tournaments.

* Receiving monthly copies of “Chess Life” magazine or bi-monthly “Chess Life For Kids” magazine.

* Earning rating in Online Quick and Blitz U.S. Chess-rated tournaments.

* Voting in U.S. Chess elections and participating in vibrant online community at uschess.org.

MCCL’S mailing address is P.O. Box 843, Madison, AL 35758. For more information, visit madisonchess.com.