Hello to all members. You should have already received a message about our first group team chess match. If you want to be added to the match just follow the directions in that message. You will be playing two games, one white and one black, against a member of the Sharks chess group. There is a restriction on ratings as your rating has to be over 1700 at this time. The match will be up to 10 players each side. Hope many of you are interested and join. Any questions let me know. -- tas58

Not sure if our first match is over 1700 or under 1700 only. The match reads <1700 so not sure. We will have another match starting soon that I know is under 1700. So you can sign up for the first one regardless of rating and we will find out.  Am new to this team chess thing so bear with me. Thanks!! -- tas58

I've got it figured out. Our 1st match, against The Sharks, is for only those rated 1700 and above. Our 2nd match, against Grupo Regives...., is for those rated under 700.  Hope that many of you will participate.

Our first match was cancelled due to my mistake on the ratings. Our second match, only match at the moment, already has three of our members signed up. It has a max of eight players so we need five more if possible. if we don't reach eight then the match will be played with the number of players who have joined. Once that match is going I will be looking to start another.

Thanks for this initiative!

How many games in total does each person playing on our team end up playing?

Each player plays two games (white and black) per match. There is no limit to the total number of matches a player can play. So a player can decide how many games at one time they want. The more players we get involved and the more games each player takes on. the busier our group will be. So if you have some room for some games please join a match. And if your too busy right now to add some games please cheer on your group members. Remember....Chess is to be Enjoyed!! Have fun!!

Some further questions for clarification...

1.  What do you mean 'the more players we get involved ... the busier our group will be.'? Do I assume that when someone joins a team match all they're signing up for is the initial two game?  I.e. the 'busyness' means total group activity (and fun!) not an increasing number of games for the individual, right?  I'm just wanting to be careful that I understand what I'm committing myself to so I don't once again get myself unwittingly in over my head with too many games...

2.  When all 16 games (assuming the full 8 players) are completed is the team play then over or is there some kind of play-off?  I don't see how that would be, but I'm curious.

3.  Do I understand correctly that if we don't reach the maximum of 8 players you will at some point start the team match by yourself, but that as soon as we do have eight sign up it begins automatically?

Thanks, tas58 - this sounds like fun!

Good morning Graybeard, I hope I can answer your questions. I am having fun with this but it's going to take a couple matches before I get it figured out.

1. By "busier" I mean more members playing in matches. It will allow for more matches and larger matches. The individual member has the right to chose how many matches he/she enters. They will be given 2 games per match. This way the member gets to decide how many games he/she wants to add. And by "busier' I also mean as a team (group) we can cheer each other on even if not playing in the match. A chance to keep us all active here at GrayMatter.

2. When a match is completed the team with the most points wins the match.   Example: Our first match is 8 players. 2 games per player. 16 total points in the match. The team that scores the most points, wins and draws, out of the 16 total points will win the match.

3. Yes. Not sure how much time we have to reach the max number of players. But if we do it will start automatically.  Then each member who joined the match will receive 2 games. And then we start preparing to start another match. I will post a message and see if there is enough players willing to start another match. And if there is we start the whole process over.  Again each member will get to decide if they want more games. Games will not be added to any member unless they have joined a match.

I hope this helps.  A couple things I've already noticed when putting together matches. One is that I prefer to offer the challenge as this will allow me to set the ratings in a way that is fair for both groups.  Secondly, a key to the matches is the ratings of players who have already joined the match from both groups. When considering joining a match look to see the rating of those who have already joined  up. See if the ratings favor the other side and perhaps your rating will help to even out the match. Just a couple thoughts. And remember we play chess because it is fun and we support each member of our GrayMatter Group. -- tas58

Thanks much - very helpful reply.  Answers all my questions!

I'll add my name to the list (even though I'm not sure my rating will help much!) and this will help me figure out how this all works.

Your last line: right on!  That's the 'spirit' of GrayMatter chess!

Thanks Graybeard for joining in. We now have 5 members involved in our first ever Team Chess Match. We need 3 more to reach the maximum of 8. If you have room to add 2 games please sign up. Go GrayMatter Chess Community!!

Last chance to sign up for our first Team Chess Match. We will be starting the games very soon. If you want to join in now's the time. Thanks!!