Chess.com University's Online Chess Camp with GM Boris Gelfand

We have great news for Chess.com members today. Chess.com University is organizing its first online summer chess camp! This July, most likely from the 8th till 12th, we will have our 5-day long camp featuring tournaments, simuls, lectures, game analysis sessions, prizes and much more!

*Before you read any further, let me mention that this news post is written to introduce you to our upcoming camp. The details will be worked out over the next few days.*

Our online chess camp combines popular events such as grandmaster simuls with lectures, game analysis sessions, and tournaments to offer a one-of-a-kind chess experience!

Tentative Schedule:

The camp starts on July 8th, 2014 and ends on July 12th.

Activity commences at 9:00 AM PDT on each day and ends by 4:15 PM PDT.

There is a lunch break from noon to 1:00 PM PDT each day.

Target Audience:

Players at all rating levels may participate in our first chess camp. With that said, most lectures will be aimed at chess players in the 1200-2000 USCF/FIDE rating range. This camp is primarily for adults but teenagers are welcome to join. We plan on organizing a youth and novice (under 1200 USCF/FIDE) chess camp in August.

Camp Activities and Lectures:

Each camp student will receive about 15 hours of live instruction (lectures and game analysis sessions) from top chess instructors. Students will be split into groups by rating level for most of the game analysis sessions and some lectures but there will also be lectures all students attend together such as our special lecture from GM Boris Gelfand!

We will also have a few grandmaster simuls during the camp. Each student will have the chance to play in at least one GM simul. Similarly, each student will get one of his or her games analyzed live during a game analysis session.

Camp activities also involve an online blitz tournament and a regular tournament. Many of these games will be analyzed by masters during the game analysis sessions.

We may have more activity and side event listed in our official announcement next week.

Comparison to In-Person Chess Camps:

Unlike typical chess camps, which devote a majority of the camp time to tournaments and "free play," our focus is on chess instruction. We are not organizing a camp just to have you play each other; you can always play online for free at your leisure. We are providing world-class chess instruction for an affordable price.

Additionally, our camp gives you the chance to interact with 2012 World Championship Challenger Boris Gelfand as well as other masters and top instructors.

The two most important benefits of taking an online chess camp are that you avoid traveling and lodging expenses and receive video recordings of our live lectures! You can review the lectures whenever you want. This means it's okay if you miss a lecture here and there! You will receive a video recording and won't miss anything.

Meet the Team:

Camp Organizer: Kairav Joshi, President of Chess.com University.

Honored Guest Instructor: GM Boris Gelfand, 2012 Vice World Chess Champion.

Instructor: GM Roman Dzindzichashvili, Two-Time U.S. National Champion.

Instructor: GM Valeriy Aveskulov, 2007 Ukrainian National Champion.

Instructor: GM (?) (Not Finalized Yet).

Assistant Instructors: Two or Three NMs or FMs (Not Finalized Yet).

Commentary Team: Kairav Joshi and (?).

Registration:

Tuition for Chess.com University's Online Chess Camp is $300/person but a $25 discount is given to pre-registered individuals. Pre-registration opens on May 26th. Payment methods include:

- Money Order or Check (preferred method)

- Credit or Debit Card

- PayPal

- Bitcoin (an additional 5% service charge applies)

Other Information:

This camp requires a minimum of 30 students. Such a top-level online chess camp can take place as long as there is enough interest! Please let us know immediately (message Kairav Joshi) if you are interested in our first chess camp. If at least 10 or 15 students pre-register, we can assure our team members that the camp is on!

The remaining details and finalized schedule will be posted in Chess.com University within a few days.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please message Kairav Joshi, or comment on this news post.