Bartlett named US Chess director of operations

MADISON – Ranae Bartlett has been named U.S. Chess director of operations, the U.S. Chess Federation announced.

U.S. Chess is the official governing body and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization for chess players and chess supporters in the United States.

“Ranae is a familiar face in the chess community, having founded the Madison City Chess League, a nonprofit chess program in Madison, Alabama,” the organization said. “Since 2020, Ranae served as the education director at ChessKid.com and served on her local school board for 10 years. She also was an assistant general counsel for a Fortune 500 company.

“As a volunteer for U.S. Chess, Ranae served as a delegate to the 2023 annual meeting and co-chaired the 2022 Chess in Education Committee for U.S. Chess. We are thrilled to welcome Ranae to U.S. Chess in this new role.” 

Bartlett, president of the Madison City Council, is the president of the Madison City Chess League and introduced chess programs into the school system in 2013.  Madison City Schools now has more than 5,000 students participating in school chess clubs. The league has extended its program throughout Madison County. 

With a wealth of operations experience, along with her extensive chess program management background, Bartlett will be responsible for U.S. Chess operations. 

Every year, U.S. Chess sanctions and rates more than 10,000 tournaments and 500,000 games. The organization hosts nearly 30 national championships and awards titles to  amateurs and professionals, ranging from elementary school students to senior citizens.