We are located at the Way of the Sword Fencing Academy in downtown Ridgefield, next to the Ridgefield Thrift Shop.
Address
21 Governor Street, Ridgefield, CT, United States, 06877
Club Hours
Saturday 11AM - 1:10 PM
A Ridgefield (CT) chess club for kids to learn chess and play the game.
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Tournament: WOB April Sunday Swiss (Scholastic K-12)
Date: Sunday, April 23rd, 2023
Time: Round 1 starts promptly at 1:35PM. Estimated round start times are 1:35 pm, 2:20 pm, 3:10 pm, 3:50 pm, event expected to finish approximately 4:30 PM. The event may finish earlier depending on gameplay.
Location: Way of the Sword Academy Fencing, Archery, Chess Clubs (21 Governor Street, Ridgefield, CT)
Format: 4SS, G/25;d5; Four rounds of USCF rated chess in Swiss System format. Each player has 25 minutes to make their moves in a game with a 5 second delay per move. Players will be grouped by live regular rating. Limited to 12 seats.
Sections: Players may be grouped in two sections depending on rating.
Byes: No byes permitted as this a four round tournament. All participants are expected to complete all of their games.
Entry fee: $30 ($25 with club membership)
Entry deadline: Thursday midnight (Thursday before tournament). No on-site registration.
Prizes: Gold medals for player(s) in top half of pool, (for example, 1 point for each game won, 0.5 points for each game drawn), with no computer calculated tie-breaks. Silver medals for all other players.
Refunds/Cancellation Policy: If unable to participate, players may withdraw by contacting the tournament director by emailing hello[at]wayoftheboard.org. A request for a refund may be made no later than Tuesday midnight (Tuesday before tournament). Refunds subject to a $5 cancellation fee to cover credit card processing charges.
If a player is feeling unwell (coughing, has fever, sore throat, etc), they should not compete in consideration of the health of other players. Entry fee will be credited towards future tournaments at this club.
Additional Details:
* An active USCF membership is required prior to registering for this tournament - available at https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess. The fee for one child under 19 is $20/year, with other membership options available.
* Chess sets and clocks are provided. No need to bring anything.
* When registering multiple players, order separately.
* Safety: Masks are optional, and no food is allowed in the playing area. A water bottle for players is suggested.
* Parking: There are plenty of parking spaces in the club parking lot.
* Social media: Photos/videos will be taken at the event, and may be posted to the club website or social media accounts for outreach and marketing purposes. Inform the tournament director at hello[at]wayoftheboard.org before day of event to opt-out if desired.
* Notation : Taking notation is required for this time format for grades 3 and older. Younger players (K-2) are strongly encouraged but not required to notate.
* As the parent waiting area has limited space, only one accompanying adult is suggested for players during game time. Additional family members are welcome (and encouraged) to come and watch at the beginning and end of tournament. There is a nearby playground and library for younger children.
* Tournament results and current entries posted to https://tournaments.wayoftheboard.org.
Terry Kim
chess dad
The Way of the Board chess club has club meetings every Saturday from 11 AM -1:15 PM for beginner and intermediate players to learn chess and play the game, and is a program offered by the Way of the Sword Fencing, Archery, and Chess Club. Terry Kim leads all club meetings.
The club usually has a tournament once a month on Sunday afternoons for advanced beginner or intermediate players. Private lessons available on weekends at $45/hour, discounted rate available for club members.
The required workbook for all beginner and intermediate players is "Everyone's First Chess Workbook" by Peter Giannatos. It is available via Amazon, or can be purchased at the club. Intermediate players who have finished this book should begin the more challenging workbook "The Chess Tactics Workbook" by Al Woolum, but are also welcome to borrow a book from the club library to explore more advanced topics.
See program description for details.
"My dad has no idea how I beat him in a chess game."
Why chess for my child? Because ...
- chess teaches children how to win and lose.
- chess helps children realize the consequences of their actions.
- chess helps children focus.
- chess helps develop creativity.
- chess builds confidence.
- chess helps develop problem-solving skills.
- chess exercises both sides of the brain.
- chess helps children learn how to be calm under pressure.
(Summarized from chess.com). Last but certainly not least, once you know how to play, chess is a lot of fun!
How much are club dues?
Club dues are $80/month, and ensure the ongoing development and operations of the club. First visit to our club is free!
What age is appropriate for a kid to join the chess club?
Currently we have intermediate players in grades 1 to 7 who are actively learning and participating in our weekly club meetings. Beginner players range from grades 2 to 4. Age is just one of many factors to be considered when deciding when is the right time to begin learning the game; others include a kid's interest, whether there are other chess players in the family, etc. Kids should be able to write in their workbooks, and are expected to spend some time every week independently solving chess puzzles/reading as self-learning is an important component of the game. If unsure, feel free to visit one of our Saturday club meetings.
When should a player begin playing in tournaments?
See blog post for suggestions.
Are private lessons required?
If a player is having difficulty in either the beginner or intermediate program, private lessons are recommended so that they can fully participate at club meetings. Private lessons are also helpful for a player to receive feedback on their game play and explore intermediate tactics and strategies, as most young chess players (and adult beginners) cannot self-analyze their games effectively.
How to contact Terry directly?
Send an email to hello[at]wayoftheboard.org, and include mention of the age of your child/children, and level of familiarity with the game. He will get back to you within one business day.
How to view past tournament results?
Visit the club tournaments page.
Is there a chess program for adults?
Currently, an adult program is not offered.
How to check whether a club meeting is cancelled?
Visit calendar.wayoftheboard.org.
Are there any evening or afternoon programs during weekdays?
Only weekend programs are offered.
Is it possible for a player to come only occasionally, when another activity is cancelled?
Drop-in day passes are not offered, but for families who will be missing 2+ club meetings in a month (not just one) and send 2 days advance notice to hello[at]wayoftheboard.org, fees will be refunded as outlined in the club membership Addendum. However, players who only attend sporadically may have difficulty staying with peers over the long term, so registering for a program for infrequent play is not recommended.
How to apply the club member discount when registering for a tournament or private lesson?
From the website homepage, click the My Account link and sign-in first. Use the same email address used to submit club dues.
How can I find out more?
Visit our club Facebook page and like our page, and check out our library website. Updates are posted regularly, and should give parents a better sense of what happens at our meetings.
Subscribe to our newsletter to find out more about upcoming tournaments, the club chess classes, and other activities.
We are located at the Way of the Sword Fencing Academy in downtown Ridgefield, next to the Ridgefield Thrift Shop.
Club Hours
Saturday 11AM - 1:10 PM