A Group Idea

I have an idea for a group and I was wondering what kind of feedback I would get. I would like to see a group was formed with a mentoring theme. I belong to a couple of groups where there are some wonderful resources, members, etc. But this group would match higher rated/more experienced players are matched slash partnered with a loweer rated/less experienced player. With the higher rated player taking on no more than 2 students/mentorees(sorry if not a word. They would provide advice, instruction, game analysis etc. Any ideas on how the details should be layed out I will welcome all ideas/advice.

Actually, The Dream Team has an active mentoring program. Each student is paired with a mentor rated approximately 400 points higher... after they play a game the mentor annotates it and provides general advice (the students are also encouraged but not required to analyze their game to help them progress faster).

To join, visit the group page and when you click to join be sure to write a note explaining why (to participate in the mentoring program). The admin (SuperKnight42) prefers active members who are trying to improve, like you!

Then click on the group topic, "Dream Team APPRENTICE Game" which explains the rules and how to sign up. greatexcalibur is the mentoring program point of contact.

Of course, feel free to create your own group, I just wanted to let you know there already is a resource that might be a good fit for what you're looking for. :)

Bernie - you know who/which group I bet would be perfect for you?

Check out this guy Jay - he goes by Boobyfischer8008 (*chortle*) on this site, and he runs a group called

Free Chess Lessons

He is very generous, and very hands on. He'll message you personally, want to play a one on one game with you (which he'll annotate later) and he's really friendly and level headed.

He's a father too (with a very interesting story... make sure to check out his blog on his family's battle with the law, very compelling and upsetting tale), and I just have that feeling you sometimes get from time to time wherein you know two people seperately and then by some chance think of them together and realize that it could totally click.

Trust me, Bernie. Send Jay a message, and do check his group out.

Rae1> Because they're composed of sensitive types who can't be involved in anything less that a complete self-congratulatory <edited out by staff>.

You do realize the former (and likely future) US Women's Chess Champion and myself are members, yes? I guess I did exercise a little sensitivity in asking you not to fiddle with the photo of King Willy's daughter a few months ago.  ;)

Rae1> who need to be sequestered away from chess.com

Yes, I am in hiding!

But I know you're not referring to me. And I agree the group's had some "dramatic moments"... but they're counterbalanced in my mind by strong contributors.

Rael> I said goodbye, so nothing distasteful.

Yes, you and I both wished him well and I say that in jest. 

Rael> (I'm sure you're a good guy)

I played a 12-year-old and didn't tell him when he forgot to push his clock.

Rael> Only him. For months... are you telling me you didn't detect even the slightest self-congradulatory energy from the DREAM TEAM?

I know who you mean. I will simply say greatexcalibur (the person in charge of the mentoring program) and superknight42 (the admin for the past couple months, who I actually met at a tournament) and most members do not strike me as such. Of course, any team of such a large size will contain a few people such as you describe.  ;)

I agree with Rael chessdadx2 I was a member of the Dream Team, just a quiet member, enjoying the chat, then someone was kicked out for starting a competition without going through the POWER (that was Dalmantiac at the time) I asked why, and was told Admin knew best, and to mind my business, then I was kicked out (just before I quit) I was told by another member that all my questions in the notes were deleted.

What is wrong with floating your idea in one of the groups you belong to, or would you rather Admin it yourself. 

Rae1, I usually look forward to your posts and if chess.com supported custom trophies I would have sent you this one about three weeks ago:

At the moment the Dream Team is closed to new members, except in special circumstances or at leats that's what the Group homepage has to say, the little bit I can see that is.

I suppose like all Groups it has it's positives and negatives, good members and bad members.  I've seen some distasteful things come out of the Group and yet certain members, Likeforests for instance, are positives forces on Chess.com.

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