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The PIF Gambit: Pawns and Pints

  • Presque Isle Farm Cider 205 West Chisholm Street Alpena, MI, 49707 United States (map)

Whether you’re a seasoned chess player, a casual kitchen-table competitor, or someone who mostly remembers how the horsey one moves… you’re invited. 😏

We’re hosting our first Chess Tournament at the taproom, and we’re keeping it competitive, casual, and fun. Only 16 spots are available, so preregistration is required by Sunday, August 16th at 10pm.

Please bring a chess board we can use if you have one! We’d also like people to be able to use apps on their phones as chess-clocks for the competition.

♟️ Limited to 16 players
💲 $12 per person — includes your first drink!
🏆 Taproom gift cards + eternal glory on the PIF Chess Trophy
🙌 Beginners absolutely welcome!

HOW IT WORKS:

We’ll play a 4-round Swiss-style tournament, which means nobody gets eliminated! Win or lose, you’ll play all four rounds.

⏱️ Each player gets 10 minutes on the clock, so games last a maximum of about 20 minutes.

🎲 Round 1: Players are randomly paired.

♟️ Rounds 2–4: You’ll be matched against players with similar scores.

🏅 Scoring:
Win = 1 point
Draw = ½ point
Loss = 0 points

The whole tournament should run about 2–2½ hours, including breaks for refills, strategizing, and quietly questioning every decision you’ve made since moving that pawn.

And then there’s THE TROPHY. 🏆

The tournament champion gets their name on the PIF Chess Trophy, which will remain proudly displayed at the taproom — waiting for the next challenger to come take the title.

Come drink cider. Move tiny wooden armies around. Destroy your friends intellectually.

♟️ Your move. 🍎
Tickets: CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Later Event: August 27
Thunder Bay Silent Book Club