2003-10-12
This document outlines the MetroWest Chess Club Vision and
the programs that support it. We will only support and execute programs within
the MetroWest Chess Club Vision. For the balance of this document, we will hereafter
refer to the MetroWest Chess Club Vision, as simply Vision.
Tagline: (The tagline says who we are, it’s not
necessarily a snappy slogan)
Compete, learn and improve, in a friendly chess community.
Charter: (verbatim from Articles of Incorporation)
MetroWest Chess Club is established as a non-profit organization for cultural development, to enable its members to engage in chess play both informally and in organized competition, to provide instruction and entertainment, and to promote the dissemination and enrichment of the game of chess.
Vision:
MetroWest Chess Club will strictly follow its charter, which serves its members. The highest priority will always be to run the best MetroWest Chess Club Monthly Tournaments program possible; this is the soul of the club. All programs serve to enhance the value of the MetroWest Chess Club Monthly Tournaments for our members. The Club will not engage in activities that detract from the MetroWest Chess Club Monthly Tournaments. The Club will not actively seek outside awards or other recognition, as this will ultimately distract us from our vision. All programs will be reviewed annually to assure they adhere to the Vision, and that the Club has the capacity to execute them.
Homepage Description:
MetroWest
Chess Club is a weeknight chess club in
The categories of programs are derived from the components of the Tagline. They are:
This will encourage us to create programs that support these categories, thus supporting the tagline and Vision. The programs marked as “core” will be considered as necessary for that category. There is at least one core program in each category. Designating programs as core (or not) helps prioritize resources.
|
Category |
Full Name |
Member Only |
Purpose (start with ‘provide’…) |
|
Compete |
Monthly
Tournaments (core) |
No |
Provide
the core program for the Club. All other programs serve to enhance this
program. |
|
Team Email Matches |
Yes |
Provide deep analysis experience to players of all levels via email correspondence chess. Also, create team spirit by competing as an MetroWest Chess Club team. |
|
|
Scholastic Tournaments |
No |
Provide a “scholastic-only” playing environment for juniors. Discover and encourage strong juniors to play chess in general, and in Monthly Tournaments in particular. |
|
|
Special Events |
Yes |
Provide the opportunity to play in a variety of challenging and entertaining chess competition formats, such as:
|
|
|
Learn & Improve |
Weekly
Group Lesson (core) ) |
Yes |
Provide
core “learn & improve” support for the Monthly Tournaments.
Lecture/lesson prior to the start of each Monthly Tournament round. This is a
key recruiting tool for newbies. |
|
|
Yes |
Provide chess courses that run a semester or year, covering topics that are too in-depth for the Weekly Group Lesson. We are hoping they also prove to be a great recruiting and retention tool. |
|
|
Game Advice |
Yes |
Provide a way for members to receive an Expert’s advice on a recent Monthly Tournament game they’ve played. This program promises to be a great promo device for newbies and veteran members alike. |
|
|
Library |
Yes |
Provide an extensive collection of books and videos. Fairly well utilized. Great club promo device for newbies and class players. |
|
|
Community |
Website |
No |
Provide
core “community” support by hosting an interactive record of events,
pictures, games, and a newsletter and calendar for future events. |
|
Newsletter
(core) |
No |
Provide
core “community” support by listing club news, primarily advertising Monthly
Tournaments. Also we can advertise other programs and events. |
|
|
Official Merchandise |
No |
Provide our members with merchandise to show support and players’ “team colors” at Monthly Tournaments and regional events. |
|
|
Book & Equipment Vending |
No |
Provide books and equipment during the Monthly Tournament to give members on-site shopping convenience, at reasonable prices. The Club maintains a small inventory of essentials, and also partners with a local vendor to provide frequent on-site vending. |
|
|
Member Discount |
Yes |
Not a program yet; just in consideration phase. Concept is to arrange for discounts with other area chess-related organizations. |
Tagline:
Monthly Tournaments are a chess tournament series that runs USCF-rated games every Tuesday evening.
Short:
Our Monthly Tournaments are a chess tournament series that
runs USCF-rated games in 40/90 SD/30 Swiss format every Tuesday evening
starting at
Long:
Our Monthly Tournaments are a chess tournament series that
runs USCF-rated games in 40/90 SD/30 Swiss format every Tuesday evening
starting at
MetroWest Chess Club has over 100 members, with an average of 65 players each round. We have players of all strengths, from novice (ELO <1000) to Master (ELO > 2200), so you can be sure to be properly paired. We run our tournaments efficiently, with several Tournament Directors available to handle any questions you may have. Results from each round, and who you’re projected to be paired with next are posted to our website within 24 hours. Results from the whole tournament are submitted to USCF for rating within 7 days of the end of the tournament.
We open the doors at
Tagline:
Team Email Matches is a free member-only benefit that provides a way to play chess with deep analysis, via email correspondence chess matches against international competition, as a team of Club players.
Short:
Team Email Matches is a free member-only benefit that provides a team-oriented person a way to play chess via email correspondence chess matches. This is an opportunity to analyze variations to a depth that is impossible in “over the board” chess. You will play on a MetroWest Chess Club Team and be matched against strong International competition from the International Email Chess Club (IECC). Typically you will play two games over the course of several months. This is a great way to supplement your Monthly Tournament games!
Long:
Team Email Matches is a free member-only benefit that provides a team-oriented person a way to play chess via email correspondence chess matches. This is an opportunity to analyze variations to a depth that is impossible in “over-the-board” chess. This will sharpen your skills for future Monthly Tournaments!
You will be assigned to a MetroWest Chess Club Team, with a Captain, and play an opposing team from the International Email Chess Club (IECC). There are several formats possible, but the favorite is the two game format where you play two games, one as White and one as Black, against opponents who are matched to your strength. We add 150 points to your ELO to get a rough equivalent for IECC ratings. Your games will last several months.
You exchange moves via email, and are allowed four days to make each move, with the balance put in “the bank” for when you need to think a long time. Thus, you have the opportunity to do your own very deep analysis of positions, but you have to use your own brain; no computers allowed! Your Captain will advise you to go for a win or draw depending on how the whole team is doing. This is definitely a different experience from individual “over-the-board” competition, and we think it’s a great way to supplement your Monthly Tournament games!
Tagline:
Scholastic Tournaments are a tournament series designed to meet the unique needs of junior scholastic chess players 14 years old and younger.
Short:
Scholastic Tournaments are a tournament series designed to meet the unique needs of junior scholastic chess players. We recognize there are many junior scholastic players in the MetroWest area, and we want to provide them opportunities to play chess during times when traditional opportunities are lacking. Currently we provide this tournament series during summer break, for junior scholastic chess players 14 years old and younger.
Long:
Scholastic Tournaments are a tournament series designed to meet the unique needs of junior scholastic chess players. We recognize there are many junior scholastic players in the MetroWest area, and we want to provide them opportunities to play chess during times when traditional opportunities are lacking. Currently we provide this tournament series during summer break, for junior scholastic chess players 14 years old and younger.
We also designed the tournament series to accommodate the
needs of working parents. We start the games at
Finally, this tournament series is an excellent opportunity for parents who are seeking coaches to find them, and for coaches to teach basic chess to improve student performance. We fully agree with recent education research that shows that a modest amount of chess in children’s lives can improve their attention span, their social skills, and their ability to think through their actions! We hope you will consider the Scholastic Tournament series for your child.
Tagline:
The Special Events is a series of chess playing events that offers chess playing opportunities such as simuls, league play, and club challenges.
Short:
Long:
Tagline:
The Weekly Group Lesson is a free member-only benefit of structured and facilitated instruction on Tuesday evenings before each round of the Monthly Tournament.
Short:
The Weekly Group Lesson is a free member-only benefit of structured and facilitated instruction on Tuesday evenings before each round of the Monthly Tournament. A Club Expert facilitates each group lesson. The format of each lesson is usually a review of strategic and tactical themes from past games of Masters and Grandmasters from around the world.
Long:
The Weekly Group Lesson is a free member-only benefit of structured and facilitated instruction on Tuesday evenings before each round of the Monthly Tournament. A Club Expert facilitates each group lesson. The format of each lesson is usually a review of strategic and tactical themes from past games of Masters and Grandmasters from around the world.
The Weekly Group Lessons are structured so they start around
The Weekly Group Lesson is the most popular form of “learn and improve” activities that the Club offers. We have been running and evolving these lessons since 1998. It started as the “Study Group”, and evolved into Weekly Group Lessons as we fine-tuned the format. Come and see for yourself why so many Club members warm up before each round with the Weekly Group Lesson!
Tagline:
The
Short:
The
Long:
The
A syllabus is provided, with required text and games noted. The student is expected to purchase the book and/or database before the course starts, and then study the required text and analyze illustrative games before each class. Course will have a limited budget to bring in Masters for deeper discussion and analysis.
The courses use interactive discussion and group training games as the primary medium of instruction. Since chess improvement is never a quick fix, the courses meet on several Thursdays over a semester or year. We think that a combination of structured learning in a social environment will bring out the best in any serious student of the game!
Tagline:
The Game Advice is a free member-only benefit of tips from a Club Expert directly to you about your Monthly Tournament games.
Short:
The Game Advice is a free member-only benefit of tips from a Club Expert on your Monthly Tournament games. You pose specific questions to a team of Expert level Club players about your Monthly Tournament game. Within a week, one of the Experts will examine your game, return his/her commentary to you, and post the game so that others can learn also.
Long:
The Game Advice is a free member-only benefit of tips from an Expert on your Monthly Tournament games. You pose specific questions to a team of Expert level Club players about your Monthly Tournament game. This gives you the opportunity to learn how the Expert thinks, and in turn, improve your play and thinking during your Monthly Tournament games. In many cases, this is much more valuable than the rote analysis that a playing “engine” such as Fritz provides.
You submit your Monthly Tournament game via email. Typically within a week, one of the Club Experts will analyze the game, and return their commentary to you.. Don’t be shy, this is for all Class players, below Expert. We have a team ready, so we can handle your games, give us a try. The Club will also post the tips from your game to the game collection on the Club website, so that others can learn.
We have found through the Weekly Group Lesson that learning by example is a powerful tool. Seeing how you and other Club players think in a real tournament game, making decisions real-time, and how to win a won game makes all the difference. Please join other Club players and submit your game today!
Tagline:
The Club Library is a free member-only benefit that provides the optimal materials for the tournament player wishing to improve..
Short:
The Club Library is a members only
benefit providing hundreds of carefully selected books, videos, and other
materials to help the active tournament chess player improve his or her game. A
wide range of chess topics are represented with the emphasis on helping the new
or mid-level tournament player advance the level of his or her play
significantly.
Long:
The Club Library is a members only
benefit providing hundreds of carefully selected books, videos, and other
materials to help the active tournament chess player improve his or her
game. A wide range of chess topics are
covered with the emphasis on helping the new or middle level experienced
tournament player advance the level of his or her play significantly. The
Library's content is constantly reviewed and updated by the Library Director
with advice from the Club's Board and the members. Materials come from donations, and direct acquisitions by the club.
Club members can borrow Library materials for two months
(with one renewal) on a self-serve, honor system basis. The current collection,
and the status of each item loaned out is be posted to the club web site on a
weekly basis. A database containing all the Library's materials is maintained
by the Library Director. The database also generates the reports presented on
the web. Web-based services (e.g. reserving and renewing materials) are
currently being planned.
Tagline:
The Newsletter is a free newsletter that provides insight into the people and games of the Club.
Short:
Long:
Tagline:
Official Merchandise is the “official” way to show your support and players’ team “colors” at Monthly Tournaments and regional events.
Short:
Long:
Tagline:
Provide books and equipment during the Monthly Tournament to give members on-site shopping convenience, at reasonable prices.
Short:
Long:
Tagline:
The game archive program collects games played at monthly tournaments organized by the Club.
Short:
The game archive program updates and preserves a collection of
games played at events organized by the Club. The archive can be used by
interested parties to inquire about a particular event or a participant in a
monthly tournament.
Long:
??