Base Program

• Placement Tournament:
• Base Program: At the start of each season, students will participate in a Placement Tournament to assess their current skill levels. This tournament determines initial groupings, ensuring that students are learning at an appropriate level while still feeling challenged.
• Group Structure:
• Group 1 (Advanced): Maximum 16 students.
• Group 2 (Intermediate): Maximum 32 students.
• Group 3 (Beginners): Maximum 48 students.
• Group 4 (Spectators): Unlimited spectators allowed (platform permitting). Spectators can register for the placement tournament and will be auto-scheduled for a priority seat in their group at least once per month. Students will only be able to receive feedback on their game in their assigned group level but can spectate any group at any time. If there are open slots in any group, appropriate-level spectators can fill them. If too many students show up, slots will be filled based on first come, first served, with priority given to those on the auto-scheduled list. Spectators also have the option to play in a 4th breakout room without instructor time.
• Session Time: Each group will receive 1.5 hours of playtime with the instructor(s) cycling between groups to provide personalized feedback.
• Total Weekly Session Time: 2 hours per week, including playtime and instruction.

Quarter 1: Master of Trade

Think of Monopoly, where every trade and deal can shift the balance of power. In chess, mastering the art of trade means knowing when to give up a piece to gain a stronger position.

• Focus: The psychological aspect of chess, emphasizing the mastery of negotiation and trade. Students will learn strategies to maintain leverage and control, applicable both in chess and in life.
• Buddy System Activity (Exclusive Accelerated Program Only): Buddies will practice negotiating moves and strategies with each other, simulating real-game scenarios where trade-offs are critical. They will discuss how these negotiations mirror real-life situations and what they learn from each other.
• Activities: Practical exercises in negotiation and strategic trading, applying these skills in live matches. The focus will be on developing psychological tactics that extend beyond the board.
• Total Sessions: 12 sessions (2 hours each)

Quarter 2: Break The Mistake

Just like analyzing data to find trends and outliers, chess requires you to break down your mistakes and learn from them. Spotting a mistake early can turn a loss into a win.

• Focus: Identifying and breaking down mistakes in chess and life. Students will learn to recognize error patterns, understand their root causes, and develop corrective strategies.
• Buddy System Activity (Exclusive Accelerated Program Only): Buddies will analyze each other's games, identifying mistakes and offering constructive feedback. They will work together to develop strategies to avoid similar errors in the future and reflect on how this process impacts their personal growth.
• Activities: Error analysis in both chess matches and life scenarios, exercises on pattern recognition, and real-time error correction during matches.
• Total Sessions: 12 sessions (2 hours each)

Quarter 3: The Power of 3

Imagine Connect 4, where you need to line up three pieces to set up the fourth winning move. In chess, applying the Power of 3 can set up powerful combinations to outmaneuver your opponent.

• Focus: The foundation of strategic thinking in chess, using "The Power of 3" as the key principle. Students will learn to apply this concept both on the chessboard and in real-life decision-making.
• Buddy System Activity (Exclusive Accelerated Program Only): Buddies will work together to create combinations of three moves or strategies, applying the Power of 3 in their gameplay. They will reflect on how collaborating with a buddy enhances their understanding and execution of this principle.
• Activities: Weekly practice sessions, placement tournaments, and real-time analysis. The "Power of 3" will be applied in every aspect of gameplay, from opening strategies to endgame tactics.
• Total Sessions: 12 sessions (2 hours each)

1. Monthly Ladder Tournaments with Access to Student Metrics:
• Overview: Students can participate in monthly ladder-style tournaments, allowing them to compete within their groups, with opportunities to move up or down the ladder based on performance. Access to detailed student metrics is included, tracking individual and group progress.
• Participation: All students will be able to participate in the ladder tournaments, which will be open for students to begin challenging each other on an online format one week before the final session. The final session can also be used as time for the students to complete their challenges during their playtime if they wish.
• Assessment: Tournament winners will be assessed based on their overall improvement in scores and total wins throughout the entire month or quarter. Students can arrange additional matches on their own with any other student via their app to continue earning wins between sessions. Instructor assistance will be provided for session playtime to secure a challenge match.
• Prizes: Winners of either the most improved or most won games will be calculated and recognized during the final tournament. The winners will have the opportunity to challenge a higher-level player during their session playtime with instructor support and guidance. If they win, they will earn an equal rating level as the player they defeated and secure their own spot in the next level group.
2. The Why's of Chess Accelerated Program (Includes Monthly Ladder Tournaments):
• Overview: This program is designed for the top students from any level group, selected based on their performance in the placement tournament. It includes an additional hour of undivided, exclusive instructor-led teachings focused on "The Why's of Chess" law, along with a buddy system mentorship program.
• Extra Instructor Time: Students will receive an additional hour per week during Quarters 2 and 3, focused on in-depth discussions and applications of "The Why's of Chess." This time is designed to help students apply chess laws to real-life scenarios under instructor guidance.
• Buddy System: As part of this program, students will be assigned buddies after the placement tournament results. Advanced students will mentor their buddies, working together during session times to support each other in increasing their chances of winning the most improved or most won games prizes after the final tournament deadlines.
• Compounded Benefit: Purchasing this add-on automatically includes access to the Monthly Ladder Tournaments and Student Metrics, compounding the benefits and opportunities for improvement and recognition throughout the program.

The Buddy System, included as part of the The Why's of Chess Accelerated Program, is designed to foster a collaborative learning environment where students can work together, mentor one another, and enhance their learning experience through community engagement.

• Formation: After the placement tournament, the buddy system will pair each advanced student with an equal number of intermediate and lower-level students. The advanced group will focus on mentoring their intermediate buddies during guided mentorship time with the instructors, while the lower-level group buddies will do more observing. Full team activities will provide all groups with opportunities to work together, exemplifying the Power of 3 in real-life scenarios.
• Participation: Participation in the buddy system is optional, but only those who choose to participate will be eligible for the Exclusive Accelerated Program and the chance to win seasonal tournament group prizes.
• Additional Prizes: Students will also be eligible for additional prizes after each season, based on collective performance improvements both individually and as a group.
• Learning Opportunities:
• Lower-Level Students: Gain more engagement opportunities, learn from a mentor, and develop their skills more effectively.
• Upper-Level Students: Experience leadership roles by mentoring a buddy, reinforcing their learning and building community.
• Application of Skills: The buddy system offers a unique opportunity to apply newly learned skills in a supportive environment, fostering long-lasting results. Full team activities will provide all groups with the opportunity to work together, exemplifying the Power of 3 in real-life scenarios.

Placement Tournament:

At the start of each season, students will participate in a Placement Tournament to assess their current skill levels. This tournament determines initial groupings, ensuring that students are learning at an appropriate level while still feeling challenged. The buddy system pairs will be formed after this tournament, with students having the opportunity to choose their buddy or be assigned one. This pairing will allow for effective mentorship and collaboration throughout the program.

Monthly Ladder-Style Tournaments (Optional Add-On):

The Monthly Ladder-Style Tournament System is offered as an add-on activity. These tournaments allow students to compete within their groups, with the opportunity to move up or down the ladder based on performance. The winners of each monthly tournament will get a chance to challenge any student from any group for a chance to exchange ratings at the end of each season. The final tournament of each season will be played in groups for prizes and trophies. At the end of the full 9-month program, the top three performing students will be invited to participate in an annual tournament with free admission.

• Participation: All students will be able to participate in the ladder tournaments, which will be open for students to begin challenging each other on an online format one week before the final session. The final session can also be used as time for the students to complete their challenges during their playtime if they wish.
• Assessment: Tournament winners will be assessed based on their overall improvement in scores and total wins throughout the entire month or quarter. Students can arrange additional matches on their own with any other student via their app to continue earning wins between sessions. Instructor assistance will be provided for session playtime to secure a challenge match.
• Note: Winners of either the most improved or most won games will only be calculated if the monthly ladder tournament is added on. The winners of the most improved or most won games will have the opportunity to challenge a higher-level player during their session playtime with instructor support and guidance. If they win, they will earn an equal rating level as the player they defeated and secure their own spot in the next level group.

Final Ladder Tournament and Annual Tournament Invitation:

The final ladder-style tournament at the end of the program will determine the winners who will be invited to the annual tournament, with a choice to either spectate or play with free admission. The winners will be determined based on the following criteria:

1. Highest-Rated Player: The highest-rated player of the entire group at the end of the 9-month program.
2. Winner of the Final Program: The winner of the final ladder-style tournament.
3. Most Improved Player: The most improved player, which may include the leader of the most improved group, the most improved mentor, or the most improved mentee. This player will also receive complimentary spectator tickets for each member of their student buddy group.

The selected winners of the final tournament will receive individual trophies and secure their spots for an invitation, with a choice to either spectate or play, with free admission to the annual tournament. The annual tournament will be open to all Chess Psychology students.

Performance Metrics

Upon request, parents can receive performance metrics that track their child's progress over the course of the program. These metrics, based solely on changes in player ratings, include:

• Individual Improvement: Metrics on how much the student improved without incorporating the buddy system.
• Improvement with Buddy System: Metrics on how much the student improved when participating in the buddy system, either as a mentor or mentee (part of the Exclusive Accelerated Program only).
• Buddy Group Improvement: Metrics on how much the entire buddy group improved as a team (part of the Exclusive Accelerated Program only).
• Mentee Improvement: Metrics on how much the student's mentee improved, if applicable (part of the Exclusive Accelerated Program only).

For students in lower groups, metrics will focus on their improvement with and without a mentor and the collective improvement of their group. These metrics will be analyzed based on:

1. Most Wins: Determined by the most winning games.
2. Most Improved: Comparison of the player’s rating at the start and end of the program.

These metrics are provided without conclusions, allowing parents and students to draw their own insights.