Question:
What is our first step to get our child involved with CYCL’s evening classes?
Coach Jay says:
I recommend that you come on a Monday night to Vincenzo’s so I can meet you and your child. While there, I can do a five or ten minute lesson to see which class is best.
Question:
Does our child need to bring anything to chess class?
Coach Jay says:
Nothing at all. In some of the more advanced classes, students will bring in the written records of recent games they have played either online or in a tournament. I’m always happy to review those games.
Question:
Is there an initial registration fee besides the regular tuition?
Coach Jay says:
No. I am proud of that because I am sure that your child will have as much fun with chess as I do! Registration fees are for places that just want extra money before you decide you don’t want to go there!
Question:
How much do CYCL activities cost?
Coach Jay says:
CYCL’s classes at the schools range from $10-15 week depending on the type of program and how much time the students are in class. CYCL’s evening classes are $180 for 12 weeks, which comes out to $15/class. CYCL Quads are $15.
Question:
How can my child improve quickly?
Coach Jay says:
Besides instruction, children need to play, play, play! CYCL students receive a log book in which they can log each game played and receive a small reward for reaching certain milestones.
Compete in tournaments. There are tournaments in the Los Angeles area every weekend. Go to www.scchess.com to see a complete list of places to play chess.
Online learning and drills: CYCL recommends www.chessmagnetschool.com
Click here to learn more about private lessons.
Question:
What is USCF?
Coach Jay says:
The United States Chess Federation is the national organization for chess in America. USCF sanctions all rated events in America including the National Grade Level Championships, National Elementary Championship and National Youth Action 2011 – West.
You can join USCF! Memberships for young players range in price from $17-$29 depending on age and if you want to receive the kid’s magazine, regular magazine, or none at all.
Question:
What are the differences between USCF events and unrated events hosted by CYCL?
Coach Jay says:
USCF-rated events follow a strict set of rules for players and spectators. For starters, spectators have ZERO rights when it comes to tournament play. Very often, the TD (tournament director) will ask that spectators wait outside the playing area.
All USCF events are timed. As such, if one of the competitors has a clock and wants to use it, the opponent is obiligated to do so. Scholastic tournaments often carry a time control of 30 minutes for each player, but it can be more than that (not less).
Question:
How do State & National Championships work?
Coach Jay says:
Both of these are open events (with a few exceptions). Players compete in divisions based on the parameters set forth by the event organizers. For example, at the State Elementary Championships, there might be six divisions.
“Championship” or “Open” divisions are for the highest-ranked players. The K-6 Open is open to players of all ratings who are 6th grade or lower. The K-3 U600 is for players in 3rd grade or lower who are also rated under 600.
Question:
How are Team titles awarded?
Coach Jay says:
Big events like the State Championship will have team trophies as well as individual trophies. The main team awards are the ones for SCHOOL teams, but some events also have CLUB awards. A player cannot compete for both.
Team awards typically will take into account the scores of the Top 4 players on a team, but all players on the team for that particular division are considered part of the team and will go up to claim the team prize when called.
A school might have 4 teams at an event: K-1, K-3 U600, K-3 Open, K-6 U1000, for example
