11.1.23 The Maine Chess Association is accepting bid applications from schools and school chess programs to host its three flagship Scholastic Championship tournaments: The Kathy Richards Maine Girls' Chess Championship, held this year on February 10, 2024; The Maine Scholastic Team Chess Championships, held this year on March 9, 2024; and The Maine Scholastic Individual Chess Championships, held this year on March 23, 2024. Any bidding school or district should submit a proposal to Kate Ervin Kaplan at kervin@chessmaine.org no later than November 30, 2023, outlining how the school can accommodate each tournament if selected to host.

For the 2024 MECA Scholastic Championship Bidding Document in PDF please click here >> 2024 MECA Scholastic Championship Bidding Document in PDF <<

17 October 2023

MAINE CHESS ASSOCIATION
SCHOLASTIC STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS BIDDING GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

The Maine Chess Association is accepting bid applications from schools and school chess programs to host its three flagship Scholastic Championship tournaments. These tournaments are as follows:

● The Kathy Richards Maine Girls' Chess Championship, held this year on February 10, 2024;
● The Maine Scholastic Team Chess Championships, held this year on March 9, 2024;
● The Maine Scholastic Individual Chess Championships, held this year on March 23, 2024.

Any bidding school or district should submit a proposal to Kate Ervin Kaplan at kervin@chessmaine.org no later than November 30, 2023, outlining how the school can accommodate each tournament if selected to host. On the next pages are a rough description of each tournament and the criteria each school should meet in order to successfully host. The MECA Scholastic Committee hopes to make a decision on these venues by December 15, 2023.

Sincerely,
Kate Ervin Kaplan
Chair
Maine Chess Association Scholastic Committee

 
MAINE SCHOLASTIC TEAM CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
● DATE: March 9, 2024
● CAPACITY: Venue needs to comfortably accommodate 300-400 players and their parents/coaches (296 players in 2020, 286 in 2022, 269 in 2023).
○ Space for general seating and casual play between rounds is ideal.
● CONCESSIONS: Food and beverage sales on site are strongly suggested.
● SECTIONS: Space for the following sections must be provided:
○ High School Championship (45 players in 2021, 49 in 2022, 65 in 2023)
○ High School Reserve (42 players in 2020, 42 in 2022, 38 in 2023)
○ Middle School Championship (81 players in 2020, 63 in 2022, 73 in 2023)
○ K-5 (61 players in 2020, 69 in 2022 - no under sections that year, 59 in 2023)
○ K-3 (38 players in 2020, 34 in 2023)
○ K-1 (13 players in 2020)
○ Sections may play in the same room, but ideally are separated to manage noise and distraction.
● PARKING: Venue must allow for parking of cars and school buses proportional to the turnout.
● OTHER NEEDS: Separate room for Chief Tournament Director that contains access to a printer is strongly preferred, as is WiFi and a PA system for awards and announcements.

MAINE SCHOLASTIC INDIVIDUAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
● DATE: March 23, 2024
● CAPACITY: Venue needs to comfortably accommodate 150-200 players and their parents/coaches (184 players in 2019, 128 in 2022, 156 in 2023 ).
○ Space for general seating and casual play between rounds is ideal.
● CONCESSIONS: Food and beverage sales on site are strongly suggested.
● SECTIONS: Space for the following sections must be provided:
○ High School (57 players in 2019, 42 in 2022, 31 in 2023)
○ High School Reserve (20 in 2023)
○ Middle School (47 players in 2019, 41 in 2022, 46 in 2023)
○ K-5 (46 players in 2019 - was K-6 that year, 39 in 2022 - no under sections, 39 in 2023)
○ K-3 (18 players in 2019, 13 players in 2023)
○ K-1 (4 players in 2019, 4 in 2023)
○ Sections may play in the same room, but ideally are separated to manage noise and distraction.
● PARKING: Venue must allow for parking of cars and school buses proportional to the turnout.
● OTHER NEEDS: Separate room for Chief Tournament Director that contains access to a printer is strongly preferred, as is WiFi and a PA system for awards and announcements.

KATHY RICHARDS MAINE GIRLS' CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
● DATE: February 10, 2024
● CAPACITY: Venue needs to comfortably accommodate 30-40 players and their parents/coaches.
○ Space for general seating and casual play between rounds is ideal.
● SECTIONS: Space for the following sections must be provided:
○ Richards Girls' Championship (7 players in 2021, 18 in 2022, 10 in 2023)
○ Women's Championship (8 players in 2020, 3 in 2021, 4 in 2022, 4 in 2023)
○ Sections may play in the same room, but ideally would be separated to manage noise and distraction.
● PARKING: Enough to accommodate a small to medium tournament.