Learners will be paired up against each other and compete in live chess matches. We will spend the first 10-15 minutes going over the rules and discussing good sportsmanship, proper chess etiquette and perhaps do some warmup puzzles if there is time available. Games will begin at 15 minutes past the hour and run for 45 minutes. These tournaments will be in Arena format, meaning there are no "rounds" and another game will begin as soon as one finishes. So learners won't have to wait for another round to start if they finish their game quickly. The final 5 minutes will be spent announcing the results and discussing notable games and achievements. 

Chess is naturally a competitive game, but these tournaments are not designed to identify the "best" players. I will attempt to de-emphasize winning/losing and instead, highlight good sportsmanship, perseverance, having a positive attitude, and focus on improvement in a low-stress, friendly environment. This class is intended for students who already know how to play chess and are looking to gain experience in playing in a more competitive setting. 

Please note that we will not be using any physical chess boards in this class. All games will be played online through the website chess.com, so there are some technical aspects to the class, including creating a chess.com account that will require preparation from your end.