1997 Armed Forces Chess Championship Sets Dates

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 1997 – Registration deadline is Oct. 3 for the 38th Annual Armed Forces Chess Championship scheduled Oct. 11-13 at the U.S. Chess Center here.

The American Chess Foundation, the American Legion and the U.S. Chess Federation sponsor the tournament. All active duty military personnel are invited to participate; there is no entry fee.

The tournament is conducted in five-round Swiss System format beginning at 10 a.m. Oct. 11. Players must arrive by 9:30 a.m. to check in and be paired.

Because the tournament is U.S. Chess Federation-rated, all players must be or become federation members. Annual dues are $40 and include a subscription to "Chess Life" magazine as well as a federation rating.

Players should bring tournament-quality chess boards, sets and clocks, even though a limited number will be provided.

Tournament organizers cannot provide housing; however, service members may call 1-800-GO-ARMY-1 to make lodging reservations at commercial or military facilities. Metropolitan Washington installations include Fort Myer and Fort Belvoir in Virginia; Andrews Air Force Base, Md.; and Bolling Air Force Base, Anacostia Naval Station , Va., and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.

Interested players should call early as those Columbus Day Holiday weekend dates coincide with the Army 10-Miler race and the Association of the U.S. Army annual convention.

The U.S. Chess Center is in downtown Washington at 15th and M Streets, five blocks from the White House and three blocks from the McPherson Square Metro subway station.

The American Legion will host a reception for players and invited guests on Oct. 11 at the American Legion Building, 1608 K St., NW, Washington. Trophies, plaques and other prizes will be presented at an awards ceremony on Monday afternoon following the last round of play.

Register with:
U.S. Chess Center
1501 M St. NWWashington, D.C. 20005,

or by email: dmehler@chessctr.org. Provide the following information:

Full name and rank
Branch of service
Full mailing address (include country if overseas)
U.S. Chess Center member ID number
USCF rating