PREPARING FOR INTERNATIONAL YOUTH EVENTS...Preparing for International Youth Events Official US...

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PREPARING FORINTERNATIONALYOUTH EVENTS

Jay StallingsFIDE Trainer

OVERVIEW

ADVICE

SPECIFICS


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Preparing for International Youth Events

Overview

US Chess delegations officially travel to these events:

• World Youth

• World Cadet

• Panamerican Youth (Pan Ams)

US Chess registers all players for these events:

• Collects information

• Collects and forwards fees

• Assigns coaches (when applicable)

All events are open to any player under 18.


Preparing for International Youth Events2019 International Events

• Pan Am Youth (all ages U18)July 25 - Aug 2, Guayaquil, Ecuador

• Pan Am Junior (Under 20)June 1 - 8, Antigua, Guatemala

• World Youth (U14, U16, U18)October 1 - 13, Nagpur, India

• World Cadet (U12, U10, U8)Aug 20 – Sept 2, Weifang, China

• World Youth U16 Olympiad TBA, Turkey

• 2019 North American YouthAug 14 – Aug 18, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

There are two divisions within each age group:• Open• Girls

Players compete in their age group based on their age prior to January 1st of the current year.

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Wisdom from Former Youth Team USA Players

Grandmaster Robert Hess“What is best about an international event is

that it is a valuable learning experience. We gain insights into a foreign culture, we listen to a new language, our palates evolve. We respect new customs and question our previous understanding.”

Regarding the chess itself, GM Hess reminds us that even though “chess is chess, not matter where it is played,” you will encounter players who approach the game “from a completely different school of thought.” Don’t allow your results at one of these events stand as a sign of what the future holds for your child.


Wisdom from Former Youth Team USA Players

WGM Tatev AbrahamyanTatev echoes Robert’s need to embrace

different cultures/traditions/cuisines and to prepare your children for those exciting differences.

“It’s an 11-round tournament, which might be new to a lot of players. It’s a marathon and they need to save their energy and not collapse in the later rounds. The rounds start at 3pm, so it’s important to get a lot of rest and eat twice before the game.”

“It’s a huge event and the first round can be chaotic. Stay calm and let the head of delegation handle things.”

Although Tatev has “very mixed feelings” about separating the girls and boys, she says “I think this is something that the girls and their parents will enjoy.”

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Advice from Team USA CoachesIM Armen Ambartsoumian gives this technical advice

The players in the Pan Ams will play more gambits, and will typically play more aggressively – focusing on tactics and plans that involve attacking your king. At the World Youth & World Cadet, the players, especially on the higher boards, are more likely to play a solid opening and rely on strategic chess.

FM Aviv Friedman gives this practical adviceYes, all the events are open, but most countries are just bringing

their top players, so the competition is very tough. If your child is not a top-ranked player in their division, maybe another event is a better investment of your time and finances. That being said, the Pan Am’s are a good starter event as far as international play is concerned.

If you should choose to go, remember that it is a long, grueling event, and that it is often the player with the best stamina who has the best results! Rest and a healthy diet are very important, but it certainly won’t hurt to know your openings and study a lot of tactics!


Advice from Team USA CoachesFM Michael Khodarkovsky offers practical & technical advice

Chess Preparation- Don’t worry about the openings of your potential opponents –

prepare your own openings in advance, and share that prep with the coach who you will be working with at the event.

- More importantly, work on tactics and standard endings.

FIDE Rules have some important differences from US Chess rules:- All FIDE events are increment, not delay- No electronic devices in playing hall – all written notation(note from Jay – Google “FIDE rules vs US Chess rules”)

Logistics- Pan Am’s are roughly in the same time zone, but plan to arrive

2-3 days early for other events. - Be aware that provided meals might not meet your tastes, so

budget for extra food/snacks/beverages.

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Travel Advice

• Jerry Nash, many-time coordinator for International Events for US Chess advises that you to not forget your meds and commonly needed medicines as well as some food items you like. Also, prepare for jet lag. Finally, he recommends that you experience the local culture!

Consider your own needs…• Dietary – Vegetarian or Kosher options?• Religious – Is there a house of worship? Will you feel like you cannot practice in this environment?• Convenience – Is there WiFi?• Housing arrangements – Will it work for you?



Specifics and Action Items

Expenses• US Chess Administrative Fees• FIDE and Organizer Fees• Hotel costs: Per person, includes meals• Travel costs

2016 Pan Am’s in Montevideo, Uruguay (for example)• US Chess Administrative Fee - $125• FIDE Entry Fee - $100• Organizer & Transport Fee - $70• Double-occupancy hotel+meals+fees - $2,000

2016 World Cadet in Batumi, Georgia• US Chess Administrative Fee - $400/500• FIDE, Organizer & Hote Fees - $3,000 for 2 persons• Coaching Fee (optional) - $1400

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Specifics and Action Items

• Each event has a strict deadline, and US Chess’s FIDE Events Director (Grant Oen) will issue a strict deadline that will be about 30-45 days ahead of the organizer’s deadline. You need to have all of your paperwork completed by then.

• After you have contacted US Chess to let them know you are interested in being a part of the team, be wise and take the 5-10 minutes necessary to read each email that comes in from US Chess. Answer any inquiries right away as this will relieve stress on the coordinator. If the coordinator is less stressed, your child will be less stressed and will play better!

If you have been on Youth Team USA before, make sure that your information (email, cell, list of allergies/meds) is current.


Official US Representatives and Personal Rights players

Official US Representative is the top player by rating* in each category.

Personal Rights players are those who have won a medal at the World Youth, World Cadet, or Pan Am the previous year.

*Rating used is the peak post tournament US Chess rating (the player’s highest rating ever achieved at the conclusion of a rated event) by the publication of the April 2018 Rating Supplement.

These two categories of designated players receive special privileges from US Chess. If your child qualifies as one of these players, contact Grant Oen for details.

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Suggestions from US Chess

• Know the deadlines!!

• Update passports

• Plan to arrive early

• Contact your school (approved absences)

• Know the FIDE rules

• Learn about the area of the event

• Begin fundraising!

2010 World Youth in Greece

2010 US Delegation – 33 Players – A Record

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2015 World Youth in Greece

2015 US Delegation to the World Youth in Greece – 130 Players!

Grant OenFIDE Events Manager

[email protected]

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