MADISON – Many progressive milestones have occurred since Madison City Chess League or MCCL held its first meeting on July 22, 2013, with 14 students at Rainbow Landing Clubhouse. To commemorate a successful decade, MCCL will celebrate with its 10th Anniversary Dinner on Aug. 20.

“We’ve come a long way as a chess organization and have been instrumental in growing chess in the State of Alabama,” MCCL President Ranae Bartlett said.

The Presenting Sponsor for the event is Summit 7 Systems Inc.

The event will open at 6 p.m. at the Jackson Center. Keynote speaker will be ‘Fun Master’ Mike (also known as Mike Klein) from ChessKid.com. Fun Master Mike will sign autographs and sit for photos. A photo booth will be available for chess friends and Fun Master Mike.

Master Mike’s videos on ChessKid.com are popular worldwide. “He visited Madison in 2017 to teach at a fall chess camp,” Bartlett said. “We’re thrilled to have him back to meet more chess kids.”

Signalink Inc. is sponsoring Fun Master Mike’s appearance.

MCCL has designed a new logo to replace its original one. The logo’s board layout is based on Vishy Anand versus Magnus Carlsen, Game 6 of the 2013 World Chess Championship.

Scott Newberry and Lisa Solvason, parents of students at Rainbow Elementary School, designed the logo.

MCCL is producing new shirts and merchandise for the tenth anniversary. Guests can buy these items at the dinner.

“We’re excited to host a series of events to celebrate 10 years of playing chess,” Bartlett said. The events started in July and will culminate with National Chess Day in October.

Special events started with the Online Rapid Tournament on ChessKid on July 22, the actual anniversary date in 2013 for students’ first meeting. “It’s only fitting that we hosted an event on this date,” Bartlett said.

The “Back-to-School Bughouse” on Sept. 10 will start at 2 p.m. at Madison Public Library (MCCL members only). Individuals can register and add a partner’s name in the comments. After a player meeting at 1:45 p.m., Round 1 will open at 2 p.m.

Again at the library, National Chess Day Blitz will be observed on Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. MCCL will hold a rated Blitz tournament. Both adults and students are invited to register in either the Open or Under 1,000 section.

The event will affect only a player’s blitz rating. USCF and ACF memberships are required. For $10 off the fee, MCCL members should register by Oct. 11.

For the dinner, guests can purchase individual tickets or sponsor a table at the MCCL website. To sponsor one of the tenth anniversary events, email Bartlett at mccl.director@gmail.com.

A business can choose to sponsor at different levels: Rook — $1,000 to $2,499; Bishop — $500 to $999; and Knight — $400 table sponsor. To pay for tables or individual tickets online, visit madisonchess.com/products/185.