MADISON – Chess players can register now for the first tournament of the school year, the 2022 Summer Knights Scholastic Chess Tournament.

“Summer Knights is a great first tournament because no U.S. Chess Tournament report will be issued. So, no pressure, but lots of awards for both Rated and Non-Rated sections,” Ranae Bartlett said. Bartlett serves as Executive Director of Madison City Chess League or MCCL.

“Summer Knights is also a great teaching tournament for non-rated players who have never tried a chess tournament before,” Bartlett said.

CB&S Bank is the sponsor for this tournament.

Summer Knights will be held Aug. 27 at Rainbow Elementary School at 50 Nance Road. The day will open at 9 a.m. with a mandatory players’ meeting.

“This tournament is an opportunity for everyone to relax, not worry about ratings, but play in their first chess tournament early in the school year,” Bartlett said.

Round times (approximate) will be 9:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 3 p.m. (Non-rated sections are likely to start sooner after the first round.)

The Rainbow Elementary Chess Team, the tournament host, will offer concessions and pizza for lunch. “Plan to stay all day and bring lawn chairs for your comfort. Leave the cafeteria tables where players and families hang out in between rounds so the kids and their coaches can review games,” Bartlett said.

“Although approximate round times are posted, the Non-Rated section games usually finish quicker. The next round will start as soon as the previous round has ended and been scored,” Bartlett said.

A player should register for the section that matches experience. “If your child has a U.S. Chess rating (usually a provisional rating is established after playing five games), he or she should register for the Rated section, based on ratings range (Under 500, Under 1,000 or Open – over 1,000),” Bartlett said.

If the child has never played in a rated tournament before, register for the Non-Rated section by grade level (K-3, K-6 or K-12). Most players select the youngest grade level within their eligibility, but some choose to play up.

Game time for Rated sections will be G/30/d5. Non-Rated sections will use G/20 with 5SS Pairing.

Rated sections will use this configuration: K-12 (Open); K-12 Under 1,000; and K-12 Under 500. Players in first through sixth places will receive trophies. Seventh through tenth places, plus Top Female, will receive medals. Rated sections require USCF membership.

Non-Rated sections will use this configuration: K-12; K-6; and K-3. First-place player will earn a trophy. Medals are presented based on enrollment and for Top Female.

To register, visit madisonchess.com, and click the “Events” dropdown menu. Click “UPCOMING EVENTS.” Next, click the link for “2022 Summer Knights K-12 Tournament – 8/27.” After you’ve read the guidelines, click “Details” at the bottom of the window, and pay the fee. (You also can use the direct path to register: madisonchess.com/events/811/2022-summer-knights-k-12-tournament-827.)

With registration by Aug. 24, registration fee is $20 for MCCL members or $25 for those who aren’t MCCL members.

Joining MCCL or renewing MCCL membership for 2022 requires a separate order first. Then, register for Summer Knights in a separate order.

Deadline to register online is Aug. 24. For more information, visit madisonchess.com.