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Chess Tournament

It is possible to set up a mini-chess tournament in class.  Try to group players into levels of experience and ability.  This way, the class may be divided into smaller groups of 4-5 students each.
 
Alternatively, if the group is small, everyone can play each other twice (once with each colour) and the total points calculated at the end.  This is called a "round-robin" tourney.
 
A "paired competition" chart can be made up for any amount of players and may look like the following:

Student       1       2      3     4     5     Total
 
 
1. Terry      X       0.5      1      1      1      3.5
 
2. Fred      0.5       X       1      1     0.5     3.0
 
3. Susan      0        0       X      1      1      2.0
 
4. Michael    0        0       0      X      1      1.0
 
5. Donna      0       0.5      0      0      X      0.5

Scoring:   
 
          WIN   1.0 point
 
         TIE   0.5 point
 
         LOSS   0  point

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Chess Etiquette and Strategy - Some Helpful hints:
 
Chess etiquette ought to be introduced prior to tournament play, as tournament rules may differ from regular in-class play. 

Development: to get your pieces into the game involves moving pawns to open up lines for your pieces in order to bring them into action. In general, you should develop your knights, then bishops, castle, move your queen once, bring your rooks into the centre and only then - attack.

You shouldn’t bring your queen out too early in the game.

The Centre: most of the action in a chess game takes place in the centre of the chess board. Therefore, it is a good strategy to try to control or occupy the centre. Be sure to move your king away from the action by castling.

Planning: when playing a game of chess you will develop a plan of attack. However, do not forget to defend your pieces, since your opponent has plans as well. By moving your piece onto an open square develops an attack, but is it protected? Do not leave yourself open to attack.

Etiquette: in tournaments, if you touch a piece, you must move it. This is called "touch moves".

For instance, the teacher may require students to move a piece that has been touched or enforce a move made once the piece has been released.  That is, once a student moves a piece and releases it from his/her hand, it cannot be taken back.

Noise level and/or distractions should be monitored.  Students are not to suggest moves to a player, nor bother students engaged in a tournament game.
 

Sportsmanship: Every game won or lost is a learning experience. Demonstrating proper chess etiquette is a sign of good sportsmanship.