MADISON – With the start of a new year, Madison City Chess League or MCCL officials have wasted no time in preparing a busy schedule.

“MCCL is getting ready for its biggest year yet as the organization celebrates its tenth anniversary,” MCCL Interim Executive Director Ranae Bartlett said.

“As we usher in the new year, MCCL wants to encourage all its annual members to renew their family membership. The first benefit most members will realize is reduced registration fees for the Winter Knights (K-12) Tournament at Columbia Elementary on Jan. 14,” Bartlett said.

In addition, all current MCCL members can vote on the board slate from the MCCL Nominating Committee during the Winter Knights tournament.

Monday Night Chess at Madison Public Library resumed on Jan. 2. MCCL Adult Chess Club meetings will resume on Jan. 8. “You can keep up with all chess happenings in our area on the ‘UPCOMING EVENTS’ page on madisonchess.com,” Bartlett said.

MCCL’s roster for January and February includes four tournaments:

* 2023 Winter Knights Scholastic Chess Tournament – Jan. 14 at 9 a.m., Columbia Elementary School. Winter Knights offers both Rated and Non-Rated sections. Rated players must register in their grade level section, closely aligned to the City Chess Grade-Level Championship in March.

“We’re using a longer time control of 45 minutes for the Rated section to help our students prepare for national tournaments with either 90-minute or 120-minute time control,” Bartlett said.

Players should renew MCCL membership for 2023 in a separate order before registration for Winter Knights to receive $5 discount off registration fee.

Round times for Rated sections will be 9:15 and 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. Time Control will be G/45; d5. For Non-Rated sections, times will be 9:15 and 10:45 a.m. and 12:15, 1:30 and 2:45 p.m. Time Control will be G/30; d5.

Entry fee is $20 for MCCL members or $25 for players who aren’t members. Entry deadline is Jan. 11. On-site registration will not be available.

Any business interested in serving as tournament sponsor for $500 can email mccl.director@gmail.com.

For more information, visit madisonchess.com and click “Events” and “Upcoming Events.” Click the tournament name and “Details.”

* Rookie Rally – Jan. 28 at Blossomwood Elementary School in Huntsville. Registration information later in January. Any business interested in sponsorship for $1,000 can email mccl.director@gmail.com.

* Alabama State Team Chess Championship – Feb. 4 at Calhoun Community College, Huntsville campus. More information later in January.

* All Girls State Chess Championship – Feb. 18 at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. For details, refer to themadisonrecord.com.