17-12-2013, 12:56 PM
Matt, CS grades start at 100, so the u300s are total beginners. Looking at Michael's last u300, there were 16 kids with 10 without any grades, meaning that they had previously not played 7 graded games before the start of this season.
They do use clocks and have 25 minutes each. There tends to be no coaching at these events. There isn't time due to fitting in the 6 or 7 games. Michael organises separate coaching days where the kids are put into groups based on ability.
As there are u600 and u900/u1000 (or over 600) running beside each other, it gives the kids an incentive to try and move up to higher sections and to give them better chances of improving their grades.
There can be some scholars' mates but sometimes someone be on hand would show them how not to fall into these traps in future games (done on an ad-hoc basis).
Everyone who gets 50% or above at these tournaments gets some sort of prize (medal) with the top 3 getting trophies. The kids love it.
They do use clocks and have 25 minutes each. There tends to be no coaching at these events. There isn't time due to fitting in the 6 or 7 games. Michael organises separate coaching days where the kids are put into groups based on ability.
As there are u600 and u900/u1000 (or over 600) running beside each other, it gives the kids an incentive to try and move up to higher sections and to give them better chances of improving their grades.
There can be some scholars' mates but sometimes someone be on hand would show them how not to fall into these traps in future games (done on an ad-hoc basis).
Everyone who gets 50% or above at these tournaments gets some sort of prize (medal) with the top 3 getting trophies. The kids love it.