Registration underway for Waypoint chess tournament
Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald Players filled the Parkway Elementary lunchroom for the 10th annual Waypoint Foundation Chess Tournament. This year’s event takes place Feb. 4.
EPHRATA — Young followers of Caissa (the goddess of chess) will battle it out Feb. 4 at the 11th annual Waypoint Chess Tournament, for kids and teens from kindergarten through high school seniors. The tournament is open to youths living within the Ephrata, Quincy, Moses Lake and Soap Lake school districts, including private school and homeschool students.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners.
The first round begins at 8:30 a.m. in the cafeteria at Parkway Elementary, 1011 Parkway Blvd. in Ephrata. Check-in is from 7:45 to 8:20 a.m. It’s for individual players only; it’s not a team tournament, said a press release from the Waypoint Foundation.
Admission is free, but there’s only room for 100 players, the Waypoint press release said. Applications must be submitted by noon Feb. 3. Chess sets, notation sheets and chess clocks are provided by the organizers.
Each round lasts a maximum of one hour. The second and third rounds will follow about 15 minutes after the previous round ends, said the press release. Lunch will be provided for the participants by Time Out Pizza – parents and spectators, alas, are on their own. The fourth round starts after lunch, about 12:30 p.m. The fifth and final round follows, with any playoffs after that.
Organizers also hold classes prior to the tournament for kids who want to learn more about the game before they make their opening move. Classes explain tournament rules and chess notation as well. “Classes are not required, but we do suggest all participants attend one of those classes if they are unfamiliar with chess tournament rules or guidelines,” the press release said. “Parents are always welcome.”
A copy of the application can be printed at the Waypoint website, www.waypointwealth.com. The applications can be dropped off or mailed to the Waypoint Foundation, 925 SW Basin St., Ephrata, WA 98823.
The tournament was founded by Roger and Troy Pugh, in memory of their brother Ryan, a competitive chess player who was killed in a car accident in 2001. It’s sponsored by the Waypoint Foundation, founded by the Pugh brothers with the goal of supporting character-building activities for youth.