IRVINE, CA (Nov. 6, 2015): Scholastic chess players will have the opportunity to put their skills to the test at the 40th Annual Staser Fall Scholastic Chess Tournament, presented by the Orange County Great Park in collaboration with Hanley Chess Academy and American Chess Equipment. Registration closes Nov. 12 for the event, which will be held Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Hangar 244 and the Artists Studios at the Great Park.
The competition features a free Nonrated Section for all scholastic participants grades K-12; and a United States Chess Federation Rated Section, available to scholastic participants grades K-12 for an entry fee of $25 for Irvine residents and $30 for nonresidents.
The Staser Chess Championship was created by Miley Staser to give students throughout Southern California an opportunity to meet over a chess board, enhance their learning and life skills through chess, and make new friends.
Free Nonrated Section: The Nonrated Section, which takes place in Hangar 244, is free to all scholastic players K-12. Players will be separated into sections by grade level and will play against every person in their section during the course of the tournament. Medallions will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place players in each section. Every player will receive a Certificate of Participation. For additional information about the Nonrated Section, contact Dewain Barber at 714- 998-5508 or amchesseq@aol.com.
USCF Rated Section: There is a $25 fee to Irvine residents and a $30 fee for nonresidents to participate in the United States Chess Federation Rated Section, which will be held in the Artists Studios. The USCF tournament consists of the following sections: The Open, U1000, U500 and UNR. The USCF Rated Section is open to the first 96 paid players who register. Trophies will be awarded to first- through fifth-place finishers in each section, as well as rating category trophies to first and second place for: Top Under 1250, Under 750 and Under 250. A total of 21 trophies will be awarded. For more information about the Rated Section, contact Joe Hanley at 714-925-3195 or hanleychessacademy@gmail.com.
Advanced registration for both the Nonrated Section and USCF Rated Section is required. To register, visit ocgp.org/events by Friday, Nov. 12 at noon.
All boards and sets for tournament play will be provided by American Chess Equipment; additional chess sets will be available for sale during and after the event.