Improvers' Sunday Rapid Experience and Feedback

Hi Everyone,

As 2026 draws to a close, I'm looking for feedback and ideas on our Sunday Rapids.

To get the conversation started, here are a few of my observations:

• First, I want to say that I do want to keep the Sunday Rapids. They’re a great way to test what you’ve learned and gain valuable experience in live chess.
• The time control works well, and I don’t see a need to change it.
• I’d like to move the early event a bit earlier so the two events are further apart and better accommodate some of our wonderful club members in Australia. Would 12:00 AM ET and 12:00 PM ET work?
• I’m considering three sections: Under 1200, 1200–1999, and 2000+. This should give the middle section more competitive pairings and allow 2000+ players to compete in their own event.

Is there anything else you’d like to suggest or see changed? Now’s your chance, your feedback is very welcome!

Can a less then 2000 play in 2000+ section

If its a no, then you should allow us to do that

i think first three should get membership instead of 1st and 2 random

I love the idea of adding the third section. Thanks also for considering some time changes.

I think it would be nice if the tournaments weren't ranked games, but other than that it's great!

Can you start making arenas instead of swiss tournaments? That way we'll not have to wait for others to finish to play next games, and arenas are more fun to play in.

You can still make tournaments if you want to.

I love the Sunday Rapids. All these suggestions sound good to me, although it will make it harder for me to play them weekly without the early time slot of 8:00 ET. Nevertheless, it's best for other club members in different time zones. The one thing I might suggest, if possible, is to split and tighten the middle section into two group... perhaps a 1200-1599 and 1600-1999? 1200 - 2000 is a pretty big skill range to navigate.

Thank you for continuing them in whatever format you decide in the coming year.

I would consider making the middle section 1200-1800 and the upper section 1800+: I've seen plenty of 1800's and 1900's compete and draw/win against the 2000-2200 level at the least pretty frequently.

i would love if you could make a 3rd one a little after the 2nd i can almost never make it to either of teh other ones

Rapid with increment in a competitive arena format is probably not the best idea given how varied the game lengths would be

I play the early U1200 rapid and i won 3/5, i won a match with a player that didn't play...so if everyone plays it's a good format. For the lower elo maybe we can made some tournament with an opening. I don't know an Opening Sicilian or Italian or whatever so we can improve in some opening...it could be good for white and even for black to learn something new. Or I don't know some ending practice or tactics or something we can improve in the understanding of this game... after 1200 i am guessing they know more than us. I had hard time to understand pawn endings or how to convert a certain position. That's why i signed up here

i played one game against 1928 and i drew against him my rating is 1424

I like the tournaments, but when rated 700-850 you always play the best people first in U1200 tournaments, so maybe you can change that?

Fully agreed

Can you do it like every day because some players are busy on Sundays

 Under 1200, 1200-1600, 1600-2000, over 2000+

1) The tournaments should be 10|5 or 15|10 instead of 10|2.

2) I think there should several ranges for the tournaments: , Under 800, 800-1199, 1200-1499, 1500-1799, 1800-2000, 2000+, or at least: Under 1200, 1200-1499, 1500-1799, 1800+

This would be interesting. It is disheartening to get smashed repeatedly and have few players in your rating range. Not sure how this would work with actual volume of players.

I think the format is good otherwise.