How to find the current and previous state champions?

All Things Chess
21

Thanks, that’s good information!

At this time, I am not holding the state championships, I believe that I have to upgrade my club to some sort of “chapter” to hold those, don’t I? Also, I am only a club level TD, so I don’t know if I can host them. I just looked through the rule book chapter 7, and I don’t see anything about state level championships. I do see the section about national championships, though.

At present, just trying to find those players so I can talk them into coming to the small tournaments I do have. I have a 24 player blitz this Saturday - limited by the libraries fire code for tables/chairs/people.

Yes, the Fur Rondy is still popular, and was once where the tournament was held, though it hasn’t been done in years. The only problem with holding the tournament there is the expense for me, since I live 400 miles away. If I can find a way to afford doing it, I would like to someday be able to do so. Maybe in a few years, after more people sign up as USCF members?

So far, I’m not charging people money to play in the tournaments, but instead I am getting local businesses to sponsor events so I can afford to rent a playing room/hall, and give away some small prizes.

The general consensus I have seen so far amongst local chess club players is that they don’t want to pay the high USCF membership fees. Most Alaskan’s are fairly poor due to our high cost of living. The few who do, I am trying not to penalize with a tournament entrance fee. Chess is not a big sport here, so I am trying to gently coax people into it. But, since I started, I think for these first two tournaments, that 14 kids, and 7 adults have signed up and become USCF members just so that they can play, which doesn’t sound like much, but we had less than 100 members last count I saw.

Maybe they will get “bit by the bug” so to speak and the sparks will become flames for chess?

22

That is correct. As the current state chapter of Alaska is dead for all practicable purposes someone will have to start a new state chapter (with Delegate approval of course) before a state championship can be held in Alaska.

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23

How many different state champions can one state have? Is there blitz/quick/regular? Open/womens, senior? Where do I go to read up on all of that.

I still think that will be a next year at best option, just trying to get educated.

24

A state chapter can create as many different types of state championships as it wants. You could look at Texas for an example: Tournament Bids for Texas Chess Association - Google Sheets

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25

I see, thanks!

When it says “bid” did they have to bid money for that?

26

No. Bid refers to the organizer’s proposal for how they will run the tournament. TCA’s benefit (generally additional membership dues due to the membership requirement) is fixed.

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27

If a state championship is expected to draw 50 or fewer players then a Club TD is allowed to hold it. That said, I would recommend first moving up to Local TD. And petition to provide Alaska with a state chapter.

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28

Yes, baby steps…
Like running a few tournaments first. :laughing:

29

Not as big a problem as you fear. But you should invite Former State Champion Hollingsworth.

And charge something for tournament entry, even $5, unless this would cause you to lose sponsorships. (Not sure if “free entry” is a selling point with your sponsors.) Paying yourself a (very small) salary is a way to delay burnout. It helps you to provide a (small) prize fund, which might stoke interest. And, most importantly, it will show the area players just how small a fraction of the cost of chess, membership is. I mean a player from outside Fairbanks will pay more than that in travel expenses for just one tournament. And if you get enough interest to do one a month, then anyone who is interested in even a quarter of your events will find membership a bargain.

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30

@TXAFC is, of course, very welcome to come and play, but it doesn’t seem practical to ask someone to fly in from out of state.

To travel from Texas to Alaska for a po-dunk tournament run by a backwoods club TD with a $50 first prize? I can’t convince the last blitz state champion to drive up from Anchorage (400 miles), let alone ask someone to fly in from another state. The airfare alone is $1000.

31

I was a Junior High Champion, but thanks for the promotion! :slight_smile:

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32

Since there is no active state affiliate and you would like to run a state championship, perhaps the US Chess Executive Board would approve you running a state championship. Reach out to them if you like. Normally the state affiliate runs or sanctions the running of official state championships.

As chair of the National State Invitationals Committee, if you know of anyone willing to travel to Norfolk, VA July 27-30 for the national state invitationals, send me the information (name, ID, address, e-mail and DOB) and I’ll nominate them for your state. The e-mail with the nomination link was sent to states on April 7. Last year I received a request from a family to nominate a Barber rep from Alaska due to their having family in the area of the tournament. I was glad to help.

The tournaments are Irwin (age 50+), Denker (high school), Haring (Girls K-12), Barber (grades 6-8) and Rockefeller (K-5). More information can be found on the ‘Play’ then ‘National State Invitationals’ selections off the home page.

The committee also created a best practice document for selecting a state’s nominees. It can be found at best-practices-for-state-affiliates-and-state-scholastic-coordinators-final.pdf (uschess.org).

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33

I can certainly ask around, if I find some folks who are interested I can get you their information. What is the cut off date? June 1st per the best practices, or do you need that info ahead of time.

I can message you directly, once I have some names.

34

June 1 is the deadline for states to submit names, but the committee will then work the states to drum up a name if none are provided. States may submit after that time. June 1 is really when the committee gets into gear to fill the 265 invitational slots.

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35

Quick question: I read through all the information, but I could not discern if these events are free to play for the submitted names in the invitationals, or if they also have to pay the same fee as the open tournament. Can you clear that up for me?

Thanks.

36

The invitationals and the associated blitz are free to play in for those that are nominated by their states. This is due to our very generous sponsors.

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