Caroline Wang and Michael Guthrie, Madison City Chess League members, prepare for their next game of chess. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Madison City Chess League has opened registration for the second annual Summer Knights Scholastic Chess Tournament.

Students in grades K-12 are eligible to enter. The tournament will be held at Rainbow Elementary School, 50 Nance Road on July 25. A mandatory player’s meeting will convene at 9 a.m.

The league is conducting this tournament at the end of a three-day summer chess camp. Students do not have to enroll in summer chess camp to play in the tournament.

The competition will have categories for both Rated and Non-Rated players. “The Rated section requires membership in the United States Chess Federation (USCF),” chess league executive director Ranae Bartlett said.

Individuals in the USCF-rated sections will compete for the title of “Summer Knights Champion” in sections for K-12 open, K-12 under 1000 and K-12 under 500. In each section, first- through third-place winners will receive a trophy.

For those competitors, USCF membership is required. Before registering, participants can visit uschess.org to purchase a membership.

The Non-Rated individual sections involve “no pressure, low cost and no membership requirement,” Bartlett said. “Come and play for the fun of it.”

The league recommends Non-Rated sections for anyone who has never played in a tournament and registering at the lowest non-rated section for which the individual is eligible. Sections are K-12, K-6 and K-3.

Registration fee is $20 for the rated sections and $10 for non-rated sections. “Register by July 20 because registration fees double after July 20,” Bartlett said.

To register online, visit madisonchess.com/summer-knights-tournament. To pay by cash or check, print the registration form and return it to a weekly league meeting at Hogan Family YMCA or mail to Madison City Chess League, Rainbow Elementary School, 50 Nance Road, Madison AL 35758.

For more information, email to Bartlett at mccl.director@gmail.com or visit madisonchess.com.