Are any of you SC players interested in playing a live-chess tournament here on chess.com? We could play something short but not blitz (like G/15 or G/20). Depending on how many are interested, we could have everyone play everyone else. We could arrange it so that you play 1 or 2 games per week, on a schedule that suits you and your opponent.

Chess.com doesn't automatically run such tournaments, but I could volunteer to keep track of the score and set up pairings.

Let me know if you're interested. If the snow never melts at least it'll be something to do!

I'd be interested in that.

Here's a thought....

When I tought the local scholastic homeschool group I had them play a "ladder" system.  Each week they would play a ladder game that worked like this:

- Suppose we have 10 players.  The first week all the even numbered players challenge the odd number player above them (i.e. - #4 challenges #3, #2 challenges #1, etc. for all 10 players).

- The challenger (in this case, the even numbers) plays White.  If the even numbered player wins the game, the players switch numbers.  If the odd numbered player wins, they stay where they are.

- The following week, the odd numbered player challenges the even numbered player above them. (#5 plays #4, #3 plays #2, #1 plays #10 etc...)

- The challenger (even numbers this week) play with White again, as they do every week.  If the even numbered player wins, the players switch places and in this case, if #10 beats #1 he gets to go right to the top of the group!

- After a few weeks, the players should sort out to where your list goes from your stronger players down to your weeker ones.

- THE KEY THINGS THAT MAKE THIS SYSTEM WORK:

1.  The winner should review the game with the loser and use the opportunity to coach them on what mistakes were made and why they were able to get a winning advantage.

2.  The challenger must contact the person they are challenging and set up a time when they can play - IF A PLAYER DOES NOT SHOW UP FOR THE GAME, THEY LOSE!

Anyway, this might be a little better than just having a tournament since it gives us an opportunity for the stronger players to help our weaker players get better (this would help us out in our team matches) and also help us all to get to know the other SC players better.

Any thoughts?!

The fast players group had  similar system but without the consult between players. I would be open to such  tournament

I thought we'd get some more feedback. Maybe there's not enough folks interested? The ladder system sounds interesting, but I think a small tournament would let us get our feet wet without people having to commit to too much.

So let's keep the commitment small. Post here or send me a private message if you're willing to play one G/15 game a week, say through February. Let me know by Sunday, and I'll work up some pairings.

I'm in!