Six primary team members and one alternate will be selected to compete in the interservice championships at Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill., Aug. 2 – 6.

The Marine Corps has participated in interservice chess for more than 10 years. However, continual deployments of Marines in recent years has stymied interest among potential competitors.

‘‘We have not had the participation we would like,” said Michael A. Brown, the SMP analyst at Headquarters Marine Corps. ‘‘One of the reasons is deployment.”

All applications must include a letter of endorsement from the Marine’s command stating that he or she will be available to attend the tournament. Applicants must have a United States Chess Federation membership card, identification card, state of registration, USCF rating and the date of rating.

‘‘We make sure Marines have command support, because going to the championships is considered temporary additional duty,” said Brown.

After the championships in Great Lakes, a minimum of one and no more than three Marines will be chosen to advance to the NorthAtlantic Treaty Organization championships in Koege, Denmark, Oct. 18 – 22 as part of the U.S. armed forces team.

Applications can be sent to Marine Corps Community Services Semper Fit offices on bases that have them. Otherwise, all applications can be sent directly to HQMC.

Applications can be found online at usmc-mccs.org⁄chess or at local Semper Fit athletics offices. The deadline for all applications is May 31.

— Correspondent: lucas.lowe@usmc.mil