Chess Enthusiasts to Converge on Parksley for First Annual Parksley Quad Tournament

PARKSLEY, Va. — The Eastern Shore Regional Library in Parksley will host the first annual Parksley Quad, a USCF-rated chess tournament, on Saturday, May 31. Organized by local chess advocate Ralph Lopez, the event aims to bring competitive chess to the heart of Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

The tournament will feature a quad format — three rounds with players grouped based on rating — with time controls set at G45d5. Play begins promptly at 9:30 a.m., following registration and a welcome session from 9:00 to 9:25 a.m. Additional rounds will be held at 11:10 a.m. and 1:20 p.m., with a scheduled lunch break from 12:45 to 1:15 p.m. All play must conclude by 3:00 p.m. as the library extends its hours specifically for the tournament.

Entry fees are $20, payable in cash on the day of the event. Late registration at the door includes a $5 surcharge. Participants must hold current USCF memberships, which can be obtained at new.uschess.org.

Winners in each quad will receive $50 for first place and $25 for second. A Swiss section may be added depending on the number of entries, with prizes of $50, $25, and $10 for the top three finishers. Ties will result in prize splits.

The venue offers on-site parking and amenities including picnic tables and a food truck. Players are also welcome to bring their own lunch. Tournament director Lopez emphasized punctuality and preparation.

For pre-registration or more information, contact Ralph Lopez at yankee_ralph@yahoo.com or 410-430-7102.