Chess at the Park Chess at the Park

March 26–28, 2010

Featuring Super State Chess Championship
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Chess at the Park has grown in popularity and is now being featured as a spring event. In partnership with Chess Palace, the Orange County Great Park will serve as the host site to the Southern California Super State Chess Championship. This 3-day event will showcase the talent of young students, grades K-12, competing in a rated tournament to determine a champion from each division.

On Saturday and Sunday afternoon, park visitors will be encouraged to watch, learn, and experience the exciting game of chess. With the assistance of chess aficionados, beginners can take lessons or test their skills in an open play area; while more advanced players can participate in an informal tournament or compete against a chess expert who will play multiple opponents all at the same time! Other activities will include an open play sports area, children’s crafts, and chess activities.

On Saturday evening, the Great Park will launch its first in a series of 2010 Movie on the Lawn nights, featuring Where the Wild Things Are (2009).

Chess at the Park is a weekend of learning, competition, and creative thinking for all ages! Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more information!

Tournament & Event Schedule

FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2010


4:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Grandmaster Simul
(Pre-registration is highly recommended; limited walk-up registration available)

A simultaneous exhibition will be held to give participating players exposure to a Grandmaster – the highest title in chess that is only awarded internationally.  All tournament players can try their luck when the Grandmaster’s attention must be split amongst multiple chess games.

Grandmaster Melik Khachiyan has been selected to put on the show that is open to unlimited tournament players who show the courage to challenge him.

This activity is free to youth and adults.  Space is limited.

5:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Blitz
(Pre-registration is highly recommended; limited walk-up registration available)

This game of speed chess will challenge tournament players to finish a game in only five minutes on the clock.  There will be mistakes made, but the fast pace game will give the player a fun adrenaline rush!

This activity is open to youth (K-12) only.  Space is limited.  Fee is $10.


SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010


8:30 a.m. Registration
9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremonies
9:15 a.m.–3:15 p.m. Super State Chess Championship Tournament
USCF members, grades K-12, will compete in this rated tournament to determine a champion from each division.  Pre-registration and fee is required through www.chesspalace.com.
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Friends and Family Tournament
A casual informal tournament intended for avid chess players, open to all Great Park visitors.  Up to four games will be played.  Signup is required on same day.  Players can drop out at any time.
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Beat the Expert
Youngsters and adults are invited to compete against a chess expert, who will play multiple opponents all at the same time!

Family Activities
Great Park visitors will be encouraged to watch, learn and experience the exciting game of chess.  With the assistance of chess aficionados, beginners of all ages can take lessons or test their skills in an open play area.

Children will continue to be inspired by chess as they participate in fun craft activities and make their very own chess board set. Or participate in our open sports play area on the Great Park lawn.

4:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Bughouse
Bughouse is a four player chess game with two players per team.  It is a fun game of chess that fosters team work and communication.  Bughouse is played just like a normal game of chess, with teammates sitting side by side at each of their perspective chess boards, who then have the ability to use extra chess pieces that each partner wins.  When one partner wins, the whole team wins.

This activity is available only to Super State Chess participants.

7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Movie on the Lawn
Where the Wild Things Are (Rated PG, 2009)

Innovative director Spike Jonze collaborates with celebrated author Maurice Sendak to bring one of the most beloved books of all time to the big screen in “Where the Wild Things Are,” a classic story about childhood and the places we go to figure out the world we live in. The film tells the story of Max, a rambunctious and sensitive boy who feels misunderstood at home and escapes to where the Wild Things are. Max lands on an island where he meets mysterious and strange creatures whose emotions are as wild and unpredictable as their actions. The Wild Things desperately long for a leader to guide them, just as Max longs for a kingdom to rule. When Max is crowned king, he promises to create a place where everyone will be happy. Max soon finds, though, that ruling his kingdom is not so easy and his relationships there prove to be more complicated than he originally thought. –© Warner Bros


SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2010


8:30 a.m. Registration
9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Super State Chess Championship Tournament (continuation)
USCF members, grades K-12, will compete in this rated tournament to determine a champion from each division.  Pre-registration and fee is required through www.chesspalace.com.
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Friends and Family Tournament
A casual informal tournament intended for avid chess players, open to all Great Park visitors.  Four games will be played.  Signup is required on same day.  Players can drop out at any time.
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Beat the Expert
Youngsters and adults are invited to compete against a chess expert, who will play multiple opponents all at the same time!

Family Activities
Great Park visitors will be encouraged to watch, learn and experience the exciting game of chess.  With the assistance of chess aficionados, beginners of all ages can take lessons or test their skills in an open play area.

Children will continue to be inspired by chess as they participate in fun craft activities and make their very own chess board set. Or participate in our open sports play area on the Great Park lawn.

12:00 p.m.–12:15 p.m. Opening Welcome for Unrated Tournament
12:15 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Unrated Tournament
First time players are encouraged to participate in this unrated tournament for grades K-12.  This is a wonderful opportunity for young players who aspire to higher levels of play, without the pressure of a formal tournament format.  USCF membership is not required.  However, pre-registration and fee is required through www.chesspalace.com.
4:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony II for Unrated Tournament
6:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony III for Championship Sections
7:00 p.m. Tournament Concludes