MADISON – Across North Alabama and especially in Madison, the ballooning interest in the game of chess has prompted Madison City Chess League or MCCL to add a new group.

Weekly meetings for the MCCL Sunday Adult Chess Club will begin on Oct. 9 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. The new club will meet in Auditorium 2 at Madison Public Library, 142 Plaza Blvd.

“I have had numerous adults contact me about places where they can play in the area,” MCCL Executive Director Ranae Bartlett said. “We have such an active program for kindergarten through twelfth grade, and I have wanted to expand to college players, so it was time to try this new club.”

“Madison Public Library has agreed to host Sunday afternoon chess for adults,” Bartlett said. “You are welcome to bring your own chess set, but extra sets will be available.”

Bartlett plans to promote the MCCL Sunday Adult Chess Club at Calhoun Community College and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. “We are even holding the State Team Chess Championship, which is a new event, at Calhoun on the first Saturday in February 2023, so the new club in Madison will offer potential teams a place to practice,” she said.

Adults at all ability levels are wanting a venue to play chess. “We have a volunteer coach for Bob Jones High School Chess Team, Arshad Ali, who will lead sessions for the Sunday Adult Chess Club,” Bartlett said.

“I also anticipate Arshad Ali will invite some of the more experienced high school students to attend, which will be fine. We just want to distinguish (the new club) from the Monday night chess meetings for younger students,” Bartlett said.

The chess games for adults are free. However, MCCL leaders encourage everyone to purchase a family membership to help support this chess program and others. For information about membership fees, visit madisonchess.com/products/1.

Membership is open to anyone wanting to join Madison City Chess League. For information, visit madisonchess.com/join.

For more information about the new club, visit madisonchess.com and click the “EVENTS” menu. Then, click “UPCOMING EVENTS.” Scroll down and click “MCCL Sunday Adult Chess Club.”

The mailing address for MCCL is P.O. Box 843, Madison AL 35758. For more information, visit madisonchess.com.