MADISON – For 2021, the Winter Knights Scholastic Chess Tournament on Jan. 16 will use an online format.

Players should register now. Winter Knights will offer both Non-Rated and Rated sections.

“Join early so you don’t miss the first round on Jan. 16,” Ranae Bartlett said. Bartlett serves as Executive Director of Madison City Chess League.

“Winter Knights is usually held at Columbia Elementary School in January. This year, we’re moving the tournament online on ChessKid to help our kids get back into the swing of things. Spring semester will be full of consequential online tournaments,” Bartlett said.

“You’ll need to renew your MCCL membership for 2021 in a separate order,” Bartlett said. “Then, register for Winter Knights to pay the reduced registration fee of $10.”

Winter Knights’ registration fee is $10 for all sections for MCCL members. The fee is $20 in all sections for youth who are not MCCL members. (The lower price for a MCCL member will appear when the player adds the tournament to his or her cart.)

Players must complete advance registration online no later than Jan. 14. To register, visit madisonchess.com.

Players should this rule for all MCCL’s online tournaments: A player can keep only one tab open on the browser during a tournament. If a player toggles to other pages, tournament officials will disqualify the player for a technical violation.

For Non-Rated Sections, start time will be 10 a.m. “Join the tournament at least 10 minutes early,” Bartlett said. This section is for beginning players who have never played in a rated tournament and do not have a rating from U.S. Chess Federation. Players in grades 6-12 who are nonrated must play in the Rated Section and register for USCF membership.

Non-rated play will be divided for grades 3-5 and for grades K-2. Officials may merge sections. A game will last 15 minutes per side and include 5 rounds.

Medals will be based on enrollment and Top Female (who does not otherwise place).

For the Rated Section, start time will be 1 p.m., but join at least 10 minutes early. Rated play will be divided for grades K-12; K-8; K-5; and K-2.

A game will last 20 minutes; play will include 5 rounds. Trophies will be presented for first through third places. Medals will go to fourth through tenth places and Top Female.

To register with USCF, visit new.uschess.org/become-member.