02.04.14 On Monday, February 3rd, upwards of 150 K-8 students participated in the third in a series of informal chess matches hosted by the Ellsworth Middle School and organized by Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School chess coach Dick Powell. These non-USCF rated "chess afternoons" give scholastic players an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming state team and individual scholastic championships held in March at the University of Maine Orono and to have great fun while they're at it.

More information on the upcoming state scholastic championships will be posted on the ChessMaine.net events page as it becomes available.

The games do begin!

Just off a tournament victory at the Joe Brown Memorial Tournament held recently at Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School, Oliver Brown (foreground in green shirt) concentrates on his position.

Whenever the Deer Isle-Stonington Chess Boosters are involved in an event the food is plentiful! Big thanks to these dedicated volunteers.

The format of this event included a number of non-rated games (also known as skittles or off-hand games) in the hour-and-a-half allotted. When a player completed a game s/he came to the middle of the tournament room to be re-paired with another student.

Blue Hill Consolidated School's chess coach Cameron Wendell...

...and one of his proteges.

A Stillwater Montessori School student is a picture of concentration and ease during his match.

Attacking chess!

The player in red's laments were overheard by the gentleman sitting to his left who offered advice on how to queen the h-pawn.

He then offered advice on how to mate with queen and king.

"Not there, here!"

Alas, even with the assistance (or because of it!), White managed to find a way to stalemate.

Nearly a dozen schools were represented.

A new chess varient possibly?

Mastermind chess organizer Dick Powell gives instructions from the stage. Thanks to all parents, coaches, volunteers and organizers for making these chess afternoons a great success.