Give Me Liberty! 5-Rounder Saturday

In an attempt to provide broader diversity of competition, DeKalb Chess Club is sponsoring the Give Me Liberty! Challenge Saturday, March 23.

The event will feature five rounds of Game/45 play straight up, with no delay. This means if you have an analog clock, you're welcome to put it to good use! All games are USCF-rated, meaning USCF membership is required. Such membership is available for purchase at the tournament.

On March 23, 1775, before some of us were even born, Patrick Henry exclaimed "Give me liberty or give me death!"  Some reports indicate he was attempting to organize militia in every county of Virginia, others suggest he may have been referring to his queen which was seemingly trapped in the back rank with no escape squares as he contemplated resignation.

Elsewhere in his famous speech, Henry exclaimed: "I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience." Surely this reflects a chess-rich history as does his quip: "It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope..." (I repeat this mantra every time I sit down with a higher-rated player).

As I remind my students, Henry exhorted: "The battle... is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave..." If that idea doesn't motivate the patriotic chess warrior to develop one's pieces to better squares, I don't know what will.

We'll wrap up registration at 8:50am for this special event... and attempt to get the first round underway by 9am, accommodating the five-round schedule.

Delicious pizza will be available for the bargain price of $4 -- for two slices and a can of pop. (Please specify your topping preferences at registration).

There will also be refrigerator and a microwave available on site for those who wish to bring their own food for lunch. We'll also have some local restaurant delivery menus for those who seek a particular type of cuisine.

Requests to avoid pairings against team/club members will be honored through the third round, and 1/2 point byes will be awarded for the first round upon request (Second round will get underway at 10:40am).

Operators are standing by to take your name and USCF ID# at registration@DeKalbChess.com. This will save you five bucks if you do so by 9pm on Friday, March 22.