2024 ALT-Nation Invitational - ROUND 1 REPORT

We're always on the lookout for fresh formats and exciting ways to make chess even more thrilling. It feels like almost everything has already been tried, but we wanted to take a new approach.

A group of friends and I came up with a pretty novel idea—chess for fun!

The event was both USCF and FIDE-rated, but thanks to the generosity of National Master James Altucher, who hosted the tournament at his home in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, we were able to keep the costs for participants very low.

Over the Halloween weekend, we organized a 6-player round robin featuring three National Masters/Life Masters and three FIDE Masters.

Here’s the lineup, in rating order:

1. (FM) Kazim Gulamali
2. (FM) Todd Andrews
3. (NM) Carter Peatman
4. (FM) Eugene Yanayt
5. (NM) David Vest
6. (NM) James Altucher

So, what happens when you play chess "for the love of the game"?

If Round 1 was any indication, it’s bound to be exciting!