Chess
Benjamin Franklin, in his article
"The Morals of Chess" (1750), wrote:
"The Game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired and strengthened by it, so as to become habits ready on all occasions; for life is a kind of Chess, in which we have often points to gain, and competitors or adversaries to contend with, and in which there is a vast variety of good and ill events, that are, in some degree, the effect of prudence, or the want of it. By playing at Chess then, we may learn:
I. Foresight, which looks a little into futurity, and considers the consequences that may attend an action [...] II. Circumspection, which surveys the whole Chess-board, or scene of action: - the relation of the several Pieces, and their situations [...] III. Caution, not to make our moves too hastily [...]"
Camp Lejeune Single Marine Program offers club nights at each of the recreation centers where you can play just as an idle amusement or strive toward strengthening the qualities mentioned above in yourself.
Players Wanted
Do you enjoy pitting your mind against another in a head to head battle to see who is the best? Chess is the ultimate test to see if you have what it takes tactically and strategically to command an army into battle. The rules are the same for both sides. No surprises in the terrain. Everything starts equally and everything is out there for all to see. But can you see it all? No? Not that good? The best part is the pieces can be set right back up and you can learn and keep retesting yourself.
If chess is for you, we want you to come out and play with us at the clubs on base and in our tournaments. We also want the best Marine Chess Players to put in their resumes to join the All-Marine Chess Team and play in the Inter-Service Tournament.
Inter-Service Championship (ISC)
All branches of service sponsor the Inter-Service Championship. The host for this competition rotates each year from service to service. Here is how it works for the Marine Corps. For the past several years, the Marine Corps publishes a MARADMIN announcing the recruitment for resumes for those wishing to participate on the All-Marine Chess team.This normally occurs around the April time frame.
The process includes the selection of six team members, with one of the six being appointed the team captain. Once the team is established, those members compete for team placement in the overall Inter-Service Championship against all other branches of service. Following the competition, the top-scoring Marine automatically earns a place on the NATO Chess team representing the United States in international competition. If you are interested in future consideration for the All-Marine Chess team there are two pivotal steps that must be taken. First, become a member of the United States Chess Federation (USCF) and establish your rating through this organization. Without it, you will not be considered for the team. The next step is competing in USCF sanctioned tournaments to improve your skills and rating. This will improve your chances of being considered for the All-Marine Chess team. And, finally, support the program. USCF organizational members may provide rated tournaments. Therefore explore opportunities on your base to provide rated tournaments. This will allow local Marines to improve their rating through local competition, thereby reducing travel and registration costs associated with rated tournaments outside the local area.
US Armed Forces Open
This is a FREE annual event and is conducted during the Columbus Day Weekend (usually hosted in the Washington DC area). Go to http://www.usmilitarychess.org for more information. The Armed Forces Open is for all Active, Reserve and Retired chess enthusiasts. This event is privately hosted; hence participants need to make their own arrangements to attend (leave or permissive TAD).
Local Activity
Tuesdays at 1900
Jacksonville Chess Club, Head 2 Head Games & Comics
216 New Bridge St., Jacksonville, NC 28540
Sara Walsh at (910) 546-5250
http://www.jacksonvillechess.org
Tuesdays at 1900
Wilmington Chess Club,
Cape Fear Games
3608 Dr. Suite E, Wilmington, NC 28403
910-798-6006
http://www.wilmingtonchess.com
Local Points of Contact at MCCS
Camp Lejeune – Single Marine Program
910-451-0084
Reaching Out
Chess may be an one on one game, but sharing rides, rooms, or just finding other players online to chat chess with can make the game experience all that more enjoyable. Here are some resources:
Military Chess Yahoo Group
You can analyze your games, see further chess links, find rides and roommates to tournaments. You can join the email list using
militarychess-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or going to groups.yahoo.com and searching for military chess.
North Carolina Chess
Find clubs and tournaments in the state of North Carolina
United States Chess Federation
Join the USCF, earn a rating by playing in tournaments, receive a magazine, or just browse the online articles and forum.
US Military Chess
Military chess tournaments listed here including the Armed Forces Open. Also instructional articles can also be read here.
NATO Chess
21st NATO Championship will be held in Koege, Denmark. Check out the website for information and pictures about prior Championships.
Ratings
GETTING A RATING A USCF rating is required for participation in any rated event.
A player may gain a rating by purchasing a membership to the USCF and participating in rated tournaments. A USCF membership may be purchased ($49) or renewed at the USCF website (www.uschess.org) or at a local affiliate group. Purchasing your membership through your local chess club may earn your club points to purchase additional supplies and awards. Membership allows participation in tournaments and members receive a copy of Chess Life Magazine.
A rating is a representation of a player's standing vs other players. There are two separate rating systems for over-the-board (OTB) chess (regular and "quick" ratings) and one rating system for correspondence chess. Quick ratings are used for events with time controls of Game/10 to Game/29, and regular ratings are calculated for tournaments with time controls of Game/30 or slower.
*COURTEOUSY OF US CHESS FEDERATION
Tournament participation is required to earn a rating.
To learn more about area tournaments:
http://www.uschess.org for tournaments across the US
http://www.ncchess.org for tournaments specifically in North Carolina
