Checkmate @ the Library

Spring Lake District Library, Saturday, August 9, 2003

 

Instructions

 

Welcome to Checkmate @ the Library.  Please put on your name tag (which also includes your player number) before play begins.  Make sure that your chess set is identified with your name.  Place it at any marked location that does not already have a chess set, and set up the chess board.  If all marked locations already have a chess board, place your chess set on any unmarked table or return it to your car.  Your guests are allowed to sit in the chairs away from the playing area but must maintain silence during each round.

 

Each player will play within a division (named after the first four official world chess champions, in alphabetical order) and has been provided a player number, as follows:

• Alekhine Division (ages 7 through 9) – player numbers 10 through 29
• Capablanca Division (ages 10 and 11) – player numbers 30 through 49
• Lasker Division (ages 12 through 18) – player numbers 50 through 69
• Steinitz Division (ages 19 and above) – player numbers 70 through 99

 

Each division will play at its own set of chess boards, designated by the prefix A, C, L, or S (the first letter of each division) before the chess board number.

 

Each player will play five games (lasting a maximum of thirty minutes per game), with the first round beginning at 12:30 p.m., and with a fifteen minute break between each round.

 

Before each round, the computerized pairings (using SwissPerfect 98 Chess Tournament software) will be posted for each division in the following format: chess board number, player playing white, player playing black.  Check the posting and then go to your assigned location and wait for the signal to begin the match.

 

During each game:

• Maintain silence, except to announce check or checkmate.
• When you touch a piece, you must move that piece if you can legally do so.
• When you stop touching a piece, you cannot take back your move.
• If the same position has occurred three times with the same player to play each time, the game is drawn.
• If fifty successive moves have produced no marked change in position (checkmate, stalemate, a capture, or a pawn’s move), the game is drawn.
• If you want checkmate or stalemate to be verified, or if you have a question about rules, raise your hand to request assistance.
• Be courteous to the other players.

 

The time remaining in each round will periodically be announced.  At the end of thirty minutes, any games still in progress will be stopped.  The winner will be the player with remaining pieces having the most value, as follows: Queen – 9 points, Rook – 5 points, Bishop – 3 points, Knight – 3 points, and Pawn – 1 point.

 

When you have completed each game:

• Set up the chess board for the next game (except after the final round).
• Based upon your game results, write your player number in the “Won” or “Lost” or “Drawn” column for the appropriate chess board number and round number on your division’s “Match Results” sheet at tournament administration area.
• Leave the program room until everyone has finished playing the round. Or, you may take a seat away from the playing area while maintaining silence for the remainder of the round.
• Treat yourself to refreshments between rounds.  Refreshments may not be taken to the playing area or eaten during rounds.
• Use the restroom between rounds.
• Listen for the announcement of the next round’s pairings.
• Do not leave the library, since the time between rounds will be minimal.

 

At the concluding awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m., each player (except late registrations) will receive a personalized certificate of participation.  On Wednesday, August 13, the top three winners in each division can pick up at the library a personalized award certificate—the Golden, Silver, and Bronze Knight Awards.  For players with the same number of wins, placement will be determined by the Median Buchholz, Buchholz, and Progress methods.

 

Remember to get your chess set before leaving the library.

Please complete and return the questionnaire to the tournament administration area before leaving the library.

Visit the website http://www.geocities.com/CraniumGymnasium for photos and information about other events.