We are currently accepting new members. Space is limited.
For details, click below.
http://www.chesspanda.com/pca-membership.html
Our first "bonus" tournament for early registrants and renewals is tomorrow (February 5) at 6:25pm.
Last semester, round 1 was scheduled for 6:15pm but we waited a few minutes for those who were stuck in traffic. This semester we will start promptly at 6:25pm with no exceptions.
For members that pre-register, we will pair you and start your clock at 6:25pm and
you have about 25 minutes of clock time before you lose on time!
After 57 tournaments we've had great success maintaining one of the quietest and focused chess clubs that I've ever seen (including those in Europe and many U.S. States). This semester I would like to emphasize proper notation. This is in accordance with USCF rules, and it is for the child's own benefit.
We are going to strictly enforce the USCF rules regarding notation. If a player capable of notating just "decides" to stop notating in the middle of a game, this is against USCF rules. He or she may be forfeited. The player may be given one warning, but this is not guaranteed.
In the "old days" the rule was simply that players must notate. That was at a time when very few children played chess. Due to the increasing interest in chess from young players, USCF has allowed some leniency in their rules (mainly for those 7 years and younger). At the Panda Chess Academy, we let our 6, 5, and 4(!) year old players play without notating. Some of our 7 year olds don't notate for their first few tournaments, but it seems that within a few weeks of playing, they try their best to notate!
4 reasons experienced players love to notate:
1. It allows them to review their game so they can improve. They can ask questions to their Coach like "what should I do against this move?"
2. If they have a game that they are proud of, they can save it forever. This game might be seen in a chess book, magazine, or on www.chesspanda.com.
3. It is their only evidence when there is any misunderstanding. Whether it is someone knocking over your pieces by mistake, or proving that someone made an illegal move (or "accidental cheating"), your notation sheet is the only thing that can help you!
4. USCF rules require it!
A player might not have to notate if:
-The child is 7 years old or younger
-It is his or her first USCF tournament.
-Any exception to the notating rule will be considered if requested in advance by the player's parents.
If there is a mistake or missing move on the notation sheet, the player may simply skip a line on the notation sheet and continue notating. There is no requirement to go back and erase and correct mistakes. Tournament directors and Coaches are very good at reading notation sheets even if there are a few mistakes.
Once either player has 5 minutes or less on the clock, both players may stop notating. For example, if I have 24 minutes on my clock and my opponent has 4 minutes and 30 seconds, we both are allowed to stop notating according to USCF rules.
A player does NOT need to notate perfectly. The player must simply try their best to notate.
Again, this is in accordance with USCF rules. Special exceptions are given mainly to players that are too young to write, or absolute beginners.
While some tournaments do not enforce notation rules, the Panda Chess Academy enforces them strictly!
Again, these are great rules for those trying to improve their chess abilities. The players will thank us later!
-Coach Jeff
