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Pumpkin Patch Chess Tournament Print E-mail
By Korey Kormick   
November 2, 2011
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“If you move that Rook, he’ll have to answer personally to the Emperor!”

Sitting across the table from a fully-clad Imperial Stormtrooper, that threat does succeed in giving one pause. Then again, two boards down, Super Mario has surely got your back, so long as Sonic doesn’t keep him too busy. If they say Chess is a game of War, a Halloween chess tournament brings out the most colorful and creative impulses in a player.

P1020514.JPGThis past Sunday, the University of Memphis (TN) hosted the 2011 Shelby County Chess Pumpkin Patch tournament & costume contest. Well over half of the participants decked out in costumes ranging from cute to scary, iconic to realistic, with classic costumes vying against modern superheroes & their accessories. All pretense aside, when it came down to the 64 squares, competition was fierce & fast. Two USCF-rated sections were a kickoff to the season of scholastic chess for returning players, while the largest unrated section introduced many newcomers to tournament procedures & the excitement of competitive chess. All players got participatory ribbons or place trophies for their efforts, and of course, everyone got to take part in their favorite Halloween tradition—Trick or Treat candy!

For more on Halloween and chess, see Jennifer Shahade's blog entry, "Trick or Treat Chess."
 
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November - Chess Life Online 2011

Sucesso in Brazil Four-Way Tie at Turkey Bowl in Florida The US Chess Scoop on the National Chess Congress Shabalov Wins STL Thanksgiving Open, GM Norm Tourney BeginsThanksgiving Results are in Stars of Chess in Education Gather in Dallas Liang Golden at World Youth; Silver for Li Carlsen Wins Tal Memorial, Plans Trip to NYC Hou Yifan Defends World Women's Title Happy Thanksgiving From BrazilNew York Knights: 2011 US Chess League Champs Nakamura Hunts for a Win in Moscow Hou Extends Lead in Women's World Championship US Junior Congress Smashes RecordsOver 1000 Compete in K-12 Nationals in Dallas US Chess League Final: Chicago Blaze vs. New York Knights A Weekend in Dallas: National K-12 Champs Kick Off Preparing for Brazil: Awonder Has Adream Heading to Brazil: World Youth Awaits Amanov & Akopyan Top 12th FIDE Metropolitan Invitational John Ballow Earns Correspondence IM TitleRuth Haring: President's Report Tal Memorial Begins in Moscow US Chess League Highlights: Quarterfinals Kaidanov Takes Throne in King's IslandWomen's World Championship Begins Grandmasters Attack in Michigan Brooklyn Castle: The IS 318 Story Urgent Update for Organizers of FIDE Rated Tournaments2012 Samford Fellowship: Call for Applications US Chess League: Week Ten Highlights The Scoop on the US Chess League: Eastern DivisionMore Action Than Ever in Irvine & Miami The November Check is in the Mail Kekelidze New Marshall Club Champ; Wu Second Greg on Norms Part I: Please Stop Caring! Pumpkin Patch Chess Tournament A Better Place to Wait in Dallas New in Chess and the FEB show on Nakamura and Kasparov