Tag Archives: Huntsville Chess Club

Huntsville Chess Club Information

Misc Info

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Since the beginning of the year, we’ve had over 30 brand new players attend the club and the past 3 weeks, we’ve averaged 22 participants. This growth is great, we appreciate you, and we wanted to make sure that we pause give anyone new the same information that all of our more tenured club members should already know.

Membership

The Huntsville Chess Club strives to be able to offer great value to all of its members. Casual chess at the club is always free, without a membership requirement. By becoming an official member, you become eligible to compete in team matches, the yearly Huntsville City Championship, the extensive online video library, and receive a significant discount on events and chess equipment. It helps us to offer some of the great things we’ve been doing lately, like the trip to the Amateur Team South Championship tournament.

Click here to join!

Organization

The Huntsville Chess Club is organized by a board of 6 HCC members. We meet quarterly to discuss anything and everything involving our club. Please email us if you have any suggestions about anything you might like to see at one of our meetings, or if you would like to get more involved in volunteer chess work (coaching, helping out at meetings or tournaments, etc.). We’ll bring it up at our next board meeting and let you know the status. Check out our list of Officers here.

Chess Equipment

We may provide equipment for new folks to use, but most tournaments will not. We don’t want the initial cost of getting into chess to be a deterrent for new players. We’re pleased to offer a limited selection of quality chess equipment at a discounted rate for our official members, to include, clocks, sets, boards, and bags. Buy online and pick it up at the next Monday meeting.

Click here to check it out.

USCF Rated Tournaments

From time to time, we offer USCF rated tournaments. We will still have plenty of players not participating to offer everyone a game, so don’t let that stop you from attending on one of these nights. We have a tournament starting 3/18 and end on 4/15. Byes are available for all rounds but the last. Even if you can only attend 1 week, please register here!

As always, drop us a line at huntsvillechessclub@gmail.com or talk to Pat at the club if you have any questions about how to get involved in rated tournament play or have questions about anything else that happens at the club.

Huntsville Chess Club Information

Birmingham Classic Carpool Opportunity

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We sent this information out via email last week, but it appears that some did not receive it. Sending again as a reminder and in case those who didn’t receive it are interested.

Birmingham Classic 3/16/19 – Tournament Details

If you are considering attending the Birmingham Classic tournament on 3/16, you may want to join us as we carpool down on Saturday morning and back immediately following the tournament.  


We can take 5 additional people in my vehicle (7 total).  First-come, first served.  If you’re interested, please reply to this email directly.  Also, please indicate if you’re willing to drive your vehicle as well (in the event that we have more than 5 folks interested in attending).  Gas money contributions are appreciated, but not required.  


For new members (and a refresher for our more seasoned membership) – 
Recently, we’ve had a lot of new folks come out to play chess with us at the library, which we think is AWESOME!  The tournament population is similar to that of our meetings.  There are plenty of people at all skill levels to compete against.  So, don’t think that just because you’re new, you won’t stand a chance.  There are even prizes designed for the different levels and sections!  
In contrast to our weekly meetings, most tournaments require you to provide your own equipment.  If you don’t have a tournament set, we can lend you one or sell you a complete board, set, clock, and bag for $35 so you’ll be able to participate in any tournament you would like to in the future.  The club makes a few bucks on this discounted deal, but it’s still a better deal than you’ll be able to find anywhere else.  We don’t want equipment costs to stand in the way of tournament chess!
To attend this tournament with us, you’ll need to be a HCC, USCF, and ACF member (USCF and ACF are all that’s required for the tournament, itself, but HCC membership is required to catch a free ride with us).  That might sound like a lot if you’re thinking about playing in your first tournament, but there are unique benefits to holding membership in each organization.  If you aspire to become (or think you might) an active tournament participant, it’s an investment that easily pays for itself.
If you’re still reading this post, why not give it a shot?

Birmingham Classic 3/16/19 – Tournament Details – send an email to CaesarChess@gmail.com and include name, USCF ID, and what section you would like to be entered into.

HCC Membership
USCF Membership
ACF Membership
If you have never played in a USCF rated tournament, it’s an intense and rewarding experience, but it can be overwhelming for first-time participants.  Attending with a group of friends can take a lot of the stress out of it.  Please let us know if you have any questions.  We are happy to walk you through each step of the process.

Huntsville Chess Club Information

Weekly News 3-11-19 Future Team Match vs. Murfreesboro Chess Club Sign-up

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The Huntsville Chess Club has been formally challenged to a team match by the Murfreesboro Chess Club! Ideally, we will have 2 representatives for each rating class F(800) -Master (2200+).

Please let us know by completing the form below if you’re interested and what date(s) you’d be able to attend. Depending upon the amount of interest, transportation should be able to be provided by the HCC. Also, feel free to ask any questions via email or in the comments below.

Each matched player will play his/her opponent 2 games, alternating colors.

Pre-Pair: By email the Wednesday before the event.

Time Control: G/70;d5

Rounds: 10am, Lunch 1:35pm

Site: First Cumberland Presbyterian Church 907 E. Main St. Murfreesboro, TN 37130

Coffee and filtered water will be provided.  Lunch will be provided via the MCC and HCC on-site between rounds.

HCC and USCF membership will be required for this event.

HCC Registration:

Register

USCF Registration:

USCF Registration
Huntsville Chess Club Information

Weekly News 2/11/19 – Casual chess and possible Unrated (free) tournament

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The Huntsville Chess Club is returning from the U.S. Amateur Team South. It was a great trip! Stay tuned for a blog post highlighting the event.

This week will be your only chance to get your chess club fix in before Feb. 25th, due to the holiday and the library closure on Feb. 18th. Come on out and play some games at the time control of your choosing.

If we have enough interest, we’ll organize a Quick unrated free tournament this week.

Huntsville Chess Club Information

Weekly News 2/4/19 – What should we do?

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Last week, we hosted a free, unrated Quick tournament. It was a lot of fun! Here are the results (with no tiebreaks considered):
Standing Name Quick Rating Score
1 Jonathan Rasberry 1869 3
2 Joel Friedman 1506 3
3 Michael Porter 1316 3
4 David Hayes 1588 2
5 Tomasz Nielsen 1184 2
6 Larisa Friedman unr. 2
7 Theo Handley unr. 1
8 Brandon Cantu unr. 0
What should we do this week? Vote below. As always, feel free to comment with alternative options.
Huntsville Chess Club Information

Weekly News 1/21/19 – 2019 Amateur team South /North Application

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UPDATE – REGISTRATION FOR THE TEAM HAS BEEN CLOSED.  

We won’t be meeting for chess this week, but we still have some exciting news to announce!

The Huntsville Chess Club is interested in sending a team to one of the two following tournaments, the 2019 US Amateur Team South on 8-10 Feb or the 2019 US Amateur Team North on 15-17 Feb. The club is prepared to cover gas, transportation (in an HCC provided vehicle), hotel room, and entry fee for the team.

For those who have not competed in a team event, it’s a lot of fun. The top player of each team is designated “Board 1” and play the top player from the team that they’re up against. “Board 2” plays the 2nd best player, and so on. Instead of moving to a new “Board,” the team will move to a new “Table” to battle it out against a team with the same score for the tournament.

USCF and HCC membership is required to attend. We realize that there is a very short timeline associated with this event, so please register now! The club will choose the team and notify the applicants ASAP once the members have been selected.

If interested, please apply for consideration, using the form below. If you have any questions, email hunstvillechessclub@gmail.com.

Register / Renew USCF Membership Here

Renew HCC Membership Here

TLA info is included below:

FEB. 8-10 OR 9-10   FLORIDA

2019 U.S. Amateur Team Championship – South

5SS, G/120 d5 (2-day Option Rd. 1 G/60 d5). Ramada Gateway, 7470 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy., Kissimmee, FL 34747. 4-player teams (with one optional alternate). Minutes away from Disney, Universal, etc. February temperature mid-70’s. Two sections (each paired separately & with their own prizes). Team average (4 highest ratings – January Supplement) must be under 2200 for Open section & under 1500 for U1500 section. Winning team in Open section qualifies for National playoff online. EF: Per player: $54 by 2/3, $64 later. SPECIAL EF: Team (one entry must be made for all players) $190 by 2/3, $220 later (any team changes $10). Teams from outside Florida will receive $25 off team entry fee. Scholastic teams (same school) receive $10 off team entry fee. PRIZES: Top 1st-3rd place teams & Top Boards 1-4 in each section; Top teams: Open section: U2000 & U1800; U1500 section: Top U1300 & U1000. Also in Open section: Top Senior team (all 50 & above as of 2/8), Top College team (same school). Also in U1500 section: Top Female team, Top High School team (same school), Top Middle School team (same school, grades 6-8), Top Elementary School team (same school). Schedule: 3-day: 1st Rd. Fri. 7:30, 2-Day 1st Rd. Sat. 10; Rds. 2-5 Sat. 1:30, 6:45, Sun. 9:30, 2:45. HR: Inn rooms: $57 until cut-off date, Tower rooms: $72until cut-off date, Reservations can be made by calling 800-327-9170 (mention “chess tournament” for these special group rates). Free parking, Internet, refrigerator (Tower rooms also include a microwave), and transportation to Disney, Universal and other attractions. Group guests also receive 10% off at Hotel food facilities. Ent: Boca Raton Chess Club, 2385 NW Executive Ctr. Dr., Ste. 100, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Online entry & addl info:www.bocachess.com, 561-302-4377.

FEB. 15-17 OR 16-17   ILLINOIS

2019 U.S. Amateur Team Championship – North

Open: 5SS, G/90+30/increment, 2-day: rd.1-2 G/60 d5. Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, 1800 E. Golf Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173. 847-605-1234, $100.00 chess rate single-double-triple-quad until 2/4/19, Free WiFI included with Room! Please reserve early. Open to 4 player teams with one optional alternate. Team average (4 highest ratings – January Rating List) must be under 2200. EF: 3-day $160, per team if received USPS or online 6 PM by February 1st, $180 if received USPS or on-line 6 PM by Feb. 9, $200 on-line until Feb. 15 6 PM and at door. Individuals wishing to play (note: we can guarantee you will play, but won’t guarantee which schedule or the ratings of your team), send $50 and request to be put on a team by USPS and on-line by 2/10 6 PM, $60 thereafter. Team changes on site or after 2/15 6 PM $20. Check out official website www.chessweekend.com for more info and complete prize list. Prizes: Awards to top 3 teams, top teams with average rating u1900, u1600, u1300, and U1000. Winning team qualifies for national play-offs. Awards for Best Team Name, best team composed of juniors (high school and younger), Top College team, Top HS team, Top Senior team (50 and over), Top Mixed doubles team, Best costume or theme. Prizes to top score on each board. Prizes are Amazon gift cards. Rounds: 3-day: onsite registration/check-in 5:30-6:30pm, rds.: 7pm, 10:00am & 4:00pm, 10:00am & 3:30pm. 2-day: on-site registration/check-in from 8:00-9:30am, rds. 10:00am & 1:00pm then merge with 3-day. Midwest Blitz Championship on Saturday night, $550 b/30 entries, $25 by 2/13 USPS or on-line, $30 at site. First round 8 PM, 2 games with each opponent, 5 rounds, see www.chessweekend.com for details. All: Register at www.kingregistration.com after 11/15/18. Checks made payable to and sent to: ChessWeekend, 21694 Doud Ct., Frankfort, IL 60423. Please include team’s name and roster (plus ID#), captain’s email and phone number, and desired schedule. Info:www.chessweekend.com, glenn@chessweekend.com no phone calls please. Boards and Sets will be provided, please bring clocks.

Huntsville Chess Club Information

Weekly News – Quick chess tournament on 12/17 @ 6pm REGISTER TODAY

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Please note: December 17th will be the last meeting until January 7th.  

On Monday, December 17th, we’ll be hosting a 3 round, G20;d5 Quick Chess tournament at the library.  Entry fee will be $5 for HCC members and $8 for everyone else.  80% of entry fees (minus USCF and PayPal fees) returned as prizes.  We’ll start as close as possible to 6pm.  Register below.

Register or Renew Your USCF Membership Here

Renew your HCC Dues here

HCC MEMBERS REGISTER HERE

NON-MEMBERS REGISTER HERE

Huntsville Chess Club Information

Weekly News – Blitz tournament Monday, 12/10 @ 5:30pm

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On Monday 12/10 at 5:30pm, we’ll be hosting a 5 round Double-Swiss or Round Robin Blitz tournament at the Huntsville Library.  This tournament will only affect your Blitz rating (not your Standard or Quick rating).  Sets/Clocks will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you have a preference.

The time control will be G5 d/0 and 80% of the entry fees (minus PayPal processing fees) will be given away as a prize fund.

Register below!  Must be a current USCF member to compete.  HCC members have a reduced entry fee of $5.  Non-members will pay $8.  Pre-registration is required as we are unable to accept payment at the library.  The prize fund will be distributed via PayPal, so you must have a PayPal account to participate.

If you would prefer to watch the tournament or just play some casual games, there should be plenty of folks around to do just that.  See you there!

Register or Renew Your USCF Membership Here

Renew your HCC Dues here

HCC MEMBERS REGISTER HERE

NON-MEMBERS REGISTER HERE