MADISON – For 2018, the City Chess Championship will expand its setup as an open grade-level championship, which allows any child in Madison or any student in Madison City Schools to register.

“In 2018, Madison City will expand the levels and amounts of awards by conducting its first grade-level City Chess Championship. We will crown a chess champion for each grade level, kindergarten through twelfth grade. There is no need to qualify,” Ranae Bartlett said. Bartlett is Executive Director of Madison City Chess League.

James Clemens High School will host the championship on April 13-14. Each player must register in his or her grade level. Students must reside within Madison City Limits to be eligible to win and to earn declaration as City Chess Champion for their grade level, Bartlett said.

Systems Products Solutions Inc. is sponsoring the championship.

Junior high and high school grades will start games on April 13 at 6 p.m. On April 14, these grades will play in rounds at 9 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Four rounds of games will be 90/d5.

The elementary level for fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders will have round times on April 14 at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Four rounds of games will be 60/d5.

The primary level for kindergarten and grades 1-3 will have round times on April 14 at 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Four rounds of games will be 45/d5.

“Note that MCS is out half-day on April 13,” Bartlett said.

Contestants must hold membership in the U.S. Chess Federation. Registration fee is $20 for MCCL members. Contestants who aren’t MCCL members will pay $25.

The awards ceremony on April 14 at 7 p.m. will recognize the top three finishers in each grade level. “Each City Champion in grades K-2 will receive a $50 prize. Each City Champion in grades 3-12 will receive a $100 prize,” Bartlett said.

For tournament information, visit madisonchess.com/events/276/2018-city-chess-championship-414. For MCCL information, visit madisonchess.com.