But it won't make it worse either.
Chess Clubs: Intergrating Weaker Players
Sort:
Hey best. I would think that mentoring may work. A 1600 mentor for say 5 players u/1300. There are websites that do the swiss or robin set up given any number of players, and it is free. For the u/1300 it is more important to work on tactics than to learn analysis, that means 'analysis' yes, but more tactics for sure, and again there is a website devoted to systematically study tactics per topic (among other things), look at chesstempo.com. Once a player goes above 1300 it could potentially become a mentor which besides the better chess quality of his/her game may help for motivation. Cheers.
Hi all,
I volunteer on the committee at the Melbourne Chess Club, we've always been a top-heavy club, with a few titled players and lots of over 2000's in all our events.
The problem we have is creating an enjoyable atmosphere for u/1300 players, who simply come to the club and get continually wiped off the board until they lose enthusiasm.
We've tried offering rating prizes, coaching prizes etc etc, but the key factor in growing the u/1300 category appears to be enjoyment. Players simply don't enjoy playing events where they score 0-2 / 9 points.
I have 3 or 4 ideas to grow the u/1300 group, but I'd love to hear any ideas people here have (either players or organisers).
My basic idea for now is to start u/1300 (or lower) events with a focus on:
a) learning how to run a swiss or round robin themselves [the event must become self-sufficient]
b) teaching them how to set up chess clocks
c) making sure they record games properly
d) teaching them something about how to analyse
If anyone has any ideas, please post them :)