For the last eight years, to help with preparation for the CalChess Scholastic State Championships, the top K-6 chess players from Alameda County and Santa Clara County havve been invited to a free rated competition to hone their skills against equal to near equal opponents. This event is usually held within a month or less of the States.

This year, we will have the competition, East Bay vs. South Bay, with an A and a B Team--each with 20 players. Each competitor meets his/her opponent twice--once as white and once as black. The time control is G/75, up from previous years when it was G/45. This year, the event will be held at the Bay Area Chess Center, 4423 Fortran Ct. in north San Jose on Sunday, March 28, from 1pm until approximately 6:15pm. First game starts at 1pm, 2nd game starts at 3:45pm.

All those competiting will obtain awards based upon whether they were on the winning team or the losing team. As of two years ago, the coaches decided to define the East Bay as Alameda County and the South Bay as Santa Clara County.

Since this is an invitational the coaches scan the results of tournaments, check with other coaches or know the players. However, we obviously cannot know or find every top young player and so we ask you to contact us with your information if you believe you are qualified to compete in this event. For this year, it is expected that members of the "A" team will be rated 1150 and above, and members of the "B" team will be rated around 1000 and above. Again, you must be in Kindergarten through sixth grade.

FOR THE EAST BAY TEAM

Contact Carl Moy at cmoy@live.com to request an invitation.

FOR THE SOUTH BAY TEAM

Contact Wei Liu at weiliu9396@yahoo.com to request an invitation.