MADISON – Youth in a wide age range can register now for the 2020 Fall Scholars Chess Tournament.

The tournament will be conducted in online format on Oct. 17 and will offer Rated sections, which the U.S. Chess Federation or USCF defines.

“Fall Scholars Chess Tournament is going online this year via ChessKid.com. We’re excited to offer a Rated section that will result in an online rating for our students who compete in USCF-rated tournaments, as well as a Non-Rated section for students in grades K-5 who are beginners,” Ranae Bartlett said. Bartlett is Executive Director of Madison City Chess League.

“For this year only, Fall Scholars will be an open tournament for all students in grades K-12 residing in Madison,” Bartlett said. For many students, the tournament will be the first opportunity to establish a USCF online rating for this school year.

MCCL has a new rule for online tournaments. Players can keep only one tab open on the browser during the tournament. Players who open more than one tab and toggle to other pages will be disqualified for a technical violation.

Registration fee is $10 for all sections for MCCL members or $20 if the player is not a MCCL member.

Deadline for online registration is Oct. 15. To register, visit madisonchess.com.

The Non-Rated section will start at 10 a.m., but join the tournament 10 minutes early. Officials may merge section for grades 3-5 and K-2. Games will last 15 minutes per side with 5 rounds.

“The Non-Rated section is for beginning players who have never played in a rated tournament and do not have a USCF rating,” Bartlett said. Non-rated players in grades 6-12 must play in the Rated Under 500 section and register for a USCF membership.

The Rated Section will open at 1 p.m., but players should access the tournament 10 minutes early. Officials may merge K-12 (Open); K-12 Under 1000; and K-12 Under 500.

Game will last 20 minutes per side. Players will compete in 5 rounds, except K-12 Open. Players will receive trophies for first through third places; medals for fourth through tenth places; and Top Female recognition.

USCF membership is required for Rated sections only. Officials will file an online rating report. The top 2 elementary students in Championship section will be invited to train with their respective middle school chess team.

Rated chess tournaments require USCF membership for every participant. “Whether you are joining for the first time or renewing your membership, please include MCCL Affiliate # A6040788 in the “Membership Appreciation Code” box,” Bartlett said. For USCR registration, visit new.uschess.org/become-member.

Tournament coordinators will issue a tournament report with USCF after Fair Play analysis and validation of all results.

For more information, visit madisonchess.com.