UMaine to host annual chess tournaments

ORONO – Last year, the top scholastic chess teams came from Deer Isle-Stonington, John Bapst Memorial High School and Airline Community School. Who will take home the trophies this year?

Hundreds of students in kindergarten through grade 12 will be making the trek to Memorial Union at the University of Maine in March for the annual Maine Scholastic Chess Tournaments.

The events will feature both team and individual tournaments, and an opportunity for adults to play, as well.

The schedule is:

. All-girls tournament, Saturday, March 3.

. Team tournaments for elementary, junior high and high school, Saturday, March 10, snow date March 17.

. Individual tournaments Saturday, March 24, plus a quads tournament for adults only, with proceeds to benefit Maine Scholastic Chess.

The all-girls tournament on March 3 offers trophies in four categories: kindergarten through grade two, grades three through five, grades six through eight and grades nine through 12.

The winner of the tournament will be eligible to represent Maine in the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls July 29-Aug. 3 in Cherry Hill, N.J.

Registration is $5 for U.S. Chess Federation members if received by Feb. 14, $30 for nonmembers over age 15 by Feb. 14; $24 for nonmembers under 15; $22 for nonmembers under 12. Add $5 for registration received after Feb. 14. Send check to Maine Association of Chess Coaches, c/o Dan DeLuca, 80 Giles Pond Road, Aurora 04408. For information, call 479-4474 or e-mail dcdeluca@yahoo.com.

The Maine Scholastic Chess Team Tournaments on March 10 are sponsored by the University of Maine College of Engineering and the Department of Enrollment Management.

All teams must be preregistered by Tuesday, March 6. Championship section events are USCF-rated.

The fee per pupil, including USCF membership for one year, is $22 for age 12 and under, $24 for age 15 and under, $30 for age 24 and under. With proof of membership, the fee is $5.

In the elementary and junior high events, schools may enter as many players as they wish. Kindergarten through grade six and junior high teams are scored by taking the total of the five high scorers for the team. For the kindergarten through grade three category, the score is the total of the three high scorers for the team.

In the high school championship category, each school may enter only one team of five students. Other teams may enter the reserve or novice sections.

In the novice sections, the entry fee is $5 per pupil. Games are not rated, and USCF membership is not included. Teams do not compete for the state title. The team score is the total of the three highest-scoring players.

Recording of games is required for junior high and high school players.

Those attending should bring as many boards, chess sets and clocks as possible.

Checks should be made payable to Kathy Richards, treasurer, MACC, and sent to the team leader for the appropriate category:

. High school, Fred Irons, 5708 Barrows Hall, University of Maine, Orono, 04469-5708; 581-2229; e-mail fsmax@eece.maine.edu

. Junior high, Kurt Klappenbach, 1051 Sunset, Glenburn, 04401; 942-8487; kkbach@adelphia.net

. Elementary, George Wilmot, 14 Spring Lane, Chamberlain, 04541; 677-2242; gwilmot@gwi.net

Top players from the team tournaments will be invited to participate in the March 24 individual tournaments without paying a fee.

But any Maine student in kindergarten through grade 12 may enter the tournament by paying a fee: $35 for age 24 and under, $29 age 15 and under, $27 age 12 and under, including USCF membership. Those who have proof of USCF membership may enter for $10.

Preregistration is due March 20 and should be sent to Ron Lewis, 189 Middle Road, Falmouth, 04105; 781-3962 evenings; raltiger@aol.com. Make check payable to Kathy Richards, treasurer, MACC.

For information sheets and tournament entry forms, visit http://chessmaine.net/chessmaine/images/EIJHEntry0607.doc or HSEntry0607.doc or IndEntry0607.doc or AllGirls0607.doc