Maine Online Middle School Chess League
**Thank you to MECA President Michael Dudley for allowing us to borrow from all your wonderful work on the High School League!**

Dates: January 24 – March 6, 2021
Eligibility: All Maine middle schools, who can form active chess teams.
Format: Team Match Play over chess.com, 5 players per team, not USCF rated.
Rounds: 6 rounds over 6 weeks.
Time Control: G/30, +5 second increment.
Organizer/TD: Kate Ervin

LEAGUE PLAY

The league will last for six weeks; all teams will be sorted by US Chess standard over-the-board ratings. In the matches, each player will play two games against his/her opponent; the school with the most points at the end wins a match point. If the teams score an equal number of points, the match is a draw (½ point). Team coaches will report results to the TD.

CHALLENGE LOGISTICS

Pairings will be announced on Sunday night before each week starts, according to the following schedule:

WEEK OF PLAY	PAIRINGS ANNOUNCED
Week 1 (January 25 – 30)	January 24, 2021
Week 2 (February 1 – 6)	January 31, 2021
Week 3 (February 8 – 13)	February 7, 2021
Week 4 (February 15 – 20)	February 14, 2021
Week 5 (February 22 – 27)	February 21, 2021
Week 6 (March 1 – 6)*	February 28, 2021

EXPECTATIONS FOR MATCH PLAY

● Teams are seeded according to average US Chess rating for the top five players on the initial roster. However, rosters can change to accommodate different players week-to-week. This roster should be shared between coaches, whose teams are scheduled to play, as soon as possible before the match is due to take place.

● Coaches will receive their pairings according to the posted schedule and should arrange a challenge with their opponent over chess.com at a date and time that works for both teams. Each player on the team will play two games against his/her opponent: one as white and one as black.

● Matches do not need to be supervised by a TD. Players do not need to be on Zoom, but that can be arranged by individual coaches for their own matches if preferred. All games will be checked for fair play through chess.com.

● Any players who do not show up to their scheduled match will forfeit at that board. If neither player shows up for a scheduled game, that point will not be counted into the standings.

● Once the match takes place, coaches should report the results of the games played, and the results of the match, to the TD.

TIEBREAKS

● Any ties in the final standings will be broken using USAT tiebreak procedures.

PRIZES

● The top 3 teams will receive trophies to display in their schools, as well as medals for all participating team members.

REGISTRATION

Coaches wishing to play should register with the following information:

● The name of their school team;

● The name of the school club presence on chess.com;

● The name and contact information of the school’s official coach;

● A list of the top five players on the team roster with US Chess IDs (if applicable), as well as chess.com usernames.

If a school has more than five players, a school can shuffle their rosters to include different players week-to-week. If a school is unable to recruit 5 players, that team may recruit elementary school players from the same district. However, middle school players should be given priority if available. If a school has between 3 and 5 players, the school will forfeit any empty boards for each match.

This opportunity is provided to all players free of charge. This league is meant to be a chance to enjoy some competition in the run up to the State Team Championships!

Setting up teams on chess.com and getting your students registered is easy! Don’t let that be the reason not to participate. The TD is happy to assist any coach not familiar with those procedures on chess.com.

An informational Zoom meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 20 at 6 PM. The deadline for registration is Saturday, January 23, at 11:59 PM. For information or suggestions, contact Kate Ervin at kate.ervin@gmail.com. Hope to see you online soon!

*The TD reserves the right to shift the date of the final week, in the event it conflicts with the Maine State Scholastic Team Championship.