MADISON – The All-Girls State Chess Championship has been popular and expanded quickly since its launch only a few years ago.

“Each year, we have set a new record for registration for this event, and we hope this year will be no exception. Last year we had 56 girls. We hope to have at least 60 this year,” Ranae Bartlett said. Bartlett is President of Madison City Chess League.

Sponsors for the 2023 Alabama All-Girls Chess Championship are State Sen. Arthur Orr and HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology.

Players will convene at HudsonAlpha, 601 Genome Way NW in Huntsville on Feb. 18. The deadline for early registration is Feb. 10.

This tournament will offer three sections: K-3 (kindergarten through third grade), K-6 and K-12. For the K-3 and K-6 sections, time control will apply Game 30/d5 (5SS) with rounds slated for 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Time control for the K-12 section will be Game 45/d5 (4SS). Rounds are scheduled for 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

To comprise the team score, officials will use the Top 4 individual scores from the same school in each section.

Memberships in U.S. Chess Federation and Alabama Chess Federation are required. Players should obtain these memberships online before registering for the tournament. Visit uschess.org and alabamachess.org.

To register for the tournament, visit madisonchess.com. Click “View” in the section for “2023 Alabama All-Girls Chess Championship.” After completing details in the first window, click “Please Login/Register” to record registration information.

The entry fee is $25 by Feb. 10. The fee is $50 by Feb. 15. Onsite registration will not be available for this tournament.

For individual prizes, players in first through fifth place will receive trophies. All players who tie for fifth place will earn medals. For team prizes, the teams in first through third place in each section will receive trophies.

“The K-12 Champion will represent Alabama at the Ruth Haring National Girls Tournament of Champions,” Bartlett said.

For tournament information, email mccl.director@gmail.com. For general information, visit madisonchess.com.