Players hone chess skills in Monday Night Chess, tournament and camp

MADISON – Many organizations dismiss their meetings during summer, but Madison City Chess League or MCCL has scheduled sessions for youth to continue with their game.

“We have a lot of chess events happening in July,” MCCL Executive Director Ranae Bartlett said.

“Because Madison Public Library is closed on July 5 (for Fourth of July holiday), Monday Night Chess will resume on July 12 and on subsequent Monday nights from 6 to 7:30 p.m.,” she said. These sessions are free.

Students in grades K-12 who know how to play chess are welcome to attend on Monday nights. “MCCL membership is not required to attend Monday night meetings. During the pandemic, we haven’t been able to meet face-to-face,” Bartlett said.

“With many MCCL chess activities moving online on ChessKid and Chess.com, membership is required to participate in free MCCL tournaments on Monday nights, Saturdays and Sunday All-Girls events,” Bartlett said.

Founded in 2013, MCCL invites youth from Madison and the vicinity to play chess for free. Interest in chess has grown significantly since MCCL’s start.

Numerous opportunities are available:

* All-Star Chess Club for grades 2-3.

* Reduced registration fee for local chess tournaments, like Summer Knights and Winter Knights.

* MCCL Team Cup Championship and Madison City Chess Championship.

* Early registration for Summer Chess Camp.

* Coaching services at national tournaments.

* Girls Chess Club and All-Girls Tournaments.

* High-school volunteer program for coaches and tournament directors.

* Members-only events like Back-to-School Bughouse Night and Monday Night Blitz tournaments.

MCCL now welcomes members outside Madison to join. “MCCL will also work with administrators in school systems outside Madison City Schools to duplicate programs in your school system with appropriate teachers and coaches in your area,” Bartlett said.

To access membership forms, visit madisonchess.com/join.

“Also on July 12 at Madison Library, the chess league will have training for adults and high school students in chess clubs interested in becoming a chess tournament director,” Bartlett said. The United States Chess Federation or USCF sanctions this class for tournament directors.

Todd Guthrie, USCF Senior Tournament Director, will explain numerous rules and claims that players most commonly make during chess tournaments. Participants will meet in the library’s auditorium 2 from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. This training is free.

In other activity, registration for Summer Chess Camp will continue until July 14. The summer camp will be held at Rainbow Elementary School, 50 Nance Road, on July 19-23. Campers will return to ‘live,’ over-the-board format with classes for every skill level. Fee is $150.

For more information about summer camp, visit madisonchess.com. Scroll to links at the bottom of the window, and click “2021 Summer Chess Camp.”