The US Amateur Team East (USATE) is an annual team chess tournament that draws people from up and down the East Coast, and from across the country in some cases, to Parsippany in February. The event spans several days, usually during the February President’s Day weekend; this year, it is taking place from February 19 to 21. Chess players compete not only as individuals, but also as teams representing their schools, their families, their work colleagues, or any combination of entities they wish.
USATE is a rare chess event because it is not just individual performance, but also the overall team’s performance, that matters. Points are given for wins from each of the four chess players, who play on boards ranked from a high to a low rating. Teams play against other teams, generally matched based on their ratings. While many activities involve this type of team involvement, this is not typical for chess. The rare opportunity to compete as a team is what appears to draw so many to Parsippany to participate in the USATE.
The USATE is an extremely popular event, with an estimated 300 teams, each made up of 4 people and sometimes a few more. It’s a bit of a mob scene when over a thousand people are crammed into the main tournament hall trying to identify their tables and teams. However, it can also be a lot of fun, as people tend to see anyone from Gary Kasparov, a world-famous former Grandmaster, to players depicted in the chess movie Brooklyn Castle. Anyone, from kids as young as 5 years old to those in their 80s, can make up teams. You have an equal chance to play any team during the tournament.
The 6 rounds, spread across 3 days, are a test not only of skill but also of endurance. Games can last as long as 5 to 6 hours, with a turnaround time of as little as 30 minutes. For those not accustomed to such long events, it can be a surprise how grueling the 6 rounds can be. That, coupled with the occasional treacherous New Jersey February weather (there have been several snowstorms during the event in past years), can sometimes make the tournament a shocking experience.
There are multiple opportunities to win prizes during the USATE. One can win the top prize for the best high school, college, work team, family, and so on. There are also prizes for the best team name and best team gimmick, which are announced during the tournament. These prizes add an element of fun to the tournament. However, beyond the prizes, what makes the USATE so unique is the fact that you are competing with your teammates and can be even more invested in how they do than your own results if you choose. This sense of team camaraderie can make the tournament an especially enjoyable and memorable experience to relish with family, friends, and classmates.
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