Main
Date: 04 Sep 2007 12:38:00
From: Beliavsky
Subject: readiness to play in USCF tournaments
When are some guidelines for assessing a child's readiness to play in
rated scholastic USCF tournaments? How good should he or she be? I
know it's a broad question. My 4yo son plays reasonable moves about
80% of the time but gives away pieces 20% of the time.





 
Date: 05 Sep 2007 13:49:21
From: Richard
Subject: Re: readiness to play in USCF tournaments
On Sep 4, 3:38 pm, Beliavsky <beliav...@aol.com > wrote:
> When are some guidelines for assessing a child's readiness to play in
> rated scholastic USCF tournaments? How good should he or she be? I
> know it's a broad question. My 4yo son plays reasonable moves about
> 80% of the time but gives away pieces 20% of the time.

At 4 years old, are you sure he can sit still long enough in a
tournament? And is he emotionally ready for serious competition?

If he is, and all of his moves are legal according to the rules of the
game, then he's ready to play in tournaments. He doesn't have to be
any good. There are plenty of other kids there who will give away
their pieces more than 20% of the time, so it sounds like he's
probably good enough to win at least one or two of his games.

Just make sure he knows ALL the rules (castling, en pessant, touch
move rule, etc). I know at higher levels, you need to be able to write
down the moves of the game, but I think that rule is often ignored at
very young age levels.

--Richard



  
Date: 06 Sep 2007 11:19:24
From: Chess One
Subject: Re: readiness to play in USCF tournaments

"Richard" <blueghost73@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1189025361.466007.115910@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com...
> On Sep 4, 3:38 pm, Beliavsky <beliav...@aol.com> wrote:
>> When are some guidelines for assessing a child's readiness to play in
>> rated scholastic USCF tournaments? How good should he or she be? I
>> know it's a broad question. My 4yo son plays reasonable moves about
>> 80% of the time but gives away pieces 20% of the time.
>
> At 4 years old, are you sure he can sit still long enough in a
> tournament? And is he emotionally ready for serious competition?
>
> If he is, and all of his moves are legal according to the rules of the
> game, then he's ready to play in tournaments. He doesn't have to be
> any good. There are plenty of other kids there who will give away
> their pieces more than 20% of the time, so it sounds like he's
> probably good enough to win at least one or two of his games.
>
> Just make sure he knows ALL the rules (castling, en pessant, touch
> move rule, etc). I know at higher levels, you need to be able to write
> down the moves of the game, but I think that rule is often ignored at
> very young age levels.
>
> --Richard

That's all good advice. If he sticks with chess try a book by Dan Heisman, A
Parent's Guide to Chess, published by Russel Enterprises Inc, and should be
available at either www.chesscafe.com or directly from the author
danheisman@comcast.net . Phil Innes




 
Date: 04 Sep 2007 23:10:22
From: Sanny
Subject: Re: readiness to play in USCF tournaments
On Sep 5, 12:38 am, Beliavsky <beliav...@aol.com > wrote:
> When are some guidelines for assessing a child's readiness to play in
> rated scholastic USCF tournaments? How good should he or she be? I
> know it's a broad question. My 4yo son plays reasonable moves about
> 80% of the time but gives away pieces 20% of the time.

Ask him to practise Chess at:
http://www.GetClub.com/Chess.html

Here he will get 5 levels,depending on his level of play. If he is
able to beat Beginner Level 3/5 times Then I think he can play at
rated scholastic USCF tournaments

Beginner Level: 1700
Easy Level: 1800
Normal Level: 1900
Master Level: 2000

{Rough Estimate.}

Bye
Sanny

Play Chess at: http://www.GetClub.com/Chess.html



 
Date: 04 Sep 2007 22:31:29
From: David Richerby
Subject: Re: readiness to play in USCF tournaments
Beliavsky <beliavsky@aol.com > wrote:
> When are some guidelines for assessing a child's readiness to play in
> rated scholastic USCF tournaments? How good should he or she be? I
> know it's a broad question. My 4yo son plays reasonable moves about
> 80% of the time but gives away pieces 20% of the time.

It's much more important that he enjoy himself than that he do well.


Dave.

--
David Richerby Frozen Atlas (TM): it's like a map of
www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~davidr/ the world but it's frozen in a block
of ice!