MADISON – The 2020 All Girls State Chess Championship will offer an optimum venture for girls to strengthen their skills in the game.

The championship is scheduled for Feb. 22 at Liberty Middle School, 281 Dock Murphy Drive in Madison. State Senator Arthur Orr is sponsoring the tournament. Madison City Chess League is serving as host.

The first All Girls State Chess tournament was held in 2018 at Bob Jones High School, with support from the Bob Jones Chess Club and Sen. Orr.

Forty-six girls competed in the inaugural event. “Now in its third year, Madison is thrilled to host the event that it started. We are hoping for more than 50 girls will register for this year’s event,” Ranae Bartlett said. Bartlett serves as Executive Director of Madison City Chess League.

“There will be no better year for a girl to play competitive chess in 2020 than the All Girls State Chess tournament,” Bartlett said.

Sections will be open for girls in K-3, K-6 and K-12. “This tournament will be both an individual and team event with the top three scores from any school in any section comprising the team score,” Bartlett said.

The winner in the K-12 Open section will serve as the state’s delegate to the Ruth Haring National Girls Tournament of Champions. For more information, visit madisonchess.com/events/447/2020-all-girls-state-chess-championship.

Registering early will help contest officials to prepare for the 2020 All Girls State Chess Championship and to plan sufficient playing space and other activities. To register, visit madisonchess.com. Click “Events” in the pulldown menu, and then click “Upcoming Events.” Scroll and click “2020 All Girls State Chess Championship.” Click “Registration Information.”

Entry fee is $25 through Feb. 14 and increases to $50 through Feb. 19. Onsite registration is not available. Contestants should complete USCF and ACF memberships before registration.

In individual prizes, girls will earn trophies for first through fifth places (and medals for a tie for fifth place in each section). Teams in first through third places will earn trophies. The top three individual scores from the same school in each section will comprise the team score.

In addition, the league will take Madison girls by charter bus to compete at the All Girls Nationals in Chicago, Ill. on April 17-19. A grant from the US Chess Federation and Saint Louis Chess Club is making this trip possible. For information, email Bartlett at mccl.director@gmail.com.

For more information, visit madisonchess.com