It's not often that adult chess players get to play on a team. The US Amateur Team North (a USCF national event) is returning to Northbrook on February 17-19, 2012. Evanston Chess Club would like to field at least one team for the event. We're looking for team members!

NM Jon Burgess has agreed to be our team captain. Jon has generously volunteered to coach team members and review games during the event.

A team has four players plus one alternate, and the tournament is five rounds G/90, increment 30 sec. Jon's preference is to play the three-day schedule, so there is one round on Friday evening at 7 p.m., then two rounds each on Saturday and Sunday. Complete tournament info is here. Team members will be chosen as follows:

• Anyone interested in being on the team should email Maret Thorpe (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) no later than January 1, 2012. Please indicate your current rating, and whether you're able to play the Friday evening round.

• The top three players by the January 2012 officially published regular USCF rating will be chosen for the team. The fourth highest-rated player will be chosen for team alternate. Evanston Chess Club will pay $90 of the $140 team entry fee for this team; each team member and the alternate will contribute $10 toward the entry fee, and that payment will be due by January 15.

• Team Captain Burgess will work out a playing schedule that allows the alternate to play at least two games. One example might be: two players play five rounds each, two players play four rounds each, the alternate plays two rounds.

• What if more than five players are interested in forming a team? If we get enough player response to form a second team, Evanston Chess will help organize the team; players on the second team will be responsible for the entire entry fee, which is $140 per team.

We hope you'll take this opportunity to be part of a fun event. The rest of us will be cheering on the home team!

by Maret