There are lots of fun ways to play chess online and one fun way is when Clubs can play against other clubs.
A club match is different than a tournament, because instead of one person winning, the whole team wins or loses based on how all the players on that team did.
When one Club challenges another Club, the members who choose to join the fight will be matched against members of the opposing club based on their rank.
Example:
Each pair will play two games, one as black and one as white. Wins are 1 point and draws ½, just like tournaments. After all the games are played, the points are counted up and the Club with the most points wins the match!
This is different than a tournament because the Club gets the win, not any one player. There are no rounds or groups. Each player will only play two games against their opponent, and then the match is over and points are assigned to the winning Club.
Each team’s cumulative score will be added up and compared to decide who wins the match. The winner of the Club Match gets points based on the following:
Win: 5 points
Draw: 2 points for each Club
Lose: 0 points
Those points are then multiplied by the total number of players in the match to get the total match value. The more matches a Club wins, the higher it will rank on the Club Match Leaderboard!
10 Players competed in the SGV Chess Club’s Arena Blitz tournament Friday night on Chess.com. In Arena-format tournaments, players earn points by winning or drawing, and score bonus points for winning streaks.
Players can join or leave anytime. When the time is up, all games end. It’s a convenient format because there is no waiting time between games, and players can drop in or out at any time.
Soon we’ll be starting the Daily Tournament for the month of April. Match will begin once 12 players register at:
Chess.com has Privacy settings, including “Safe Mode” which prevents social interactions and disables chat, messages and comments. But for parents and members who desire an even safer online experience, we have created the ChessKids scholastic group for members at: https://www.chesskid.com/club/home/san-gabriel-valley-chess-club. There is no contact with strangers and parents can manage their child’s access and friendships online plus monitor all of their activity. If we have members at ChessKids who want to play Chess.com members, then the Chess.com member will need to join the ChessKids Club.
We also want you to know that if you find yourself unable (or advised not to) go out of your house, you have a support network here for you. If you need groceries or medicine or supplies, even if “it’s not that big a deal”, please consider this an offer. We have several members who don’t mind driving, especially since it’s a nice drive and the traffic is sooo light nowadays.
Really, if you need help, this is an opportunity for us, not a burden.
Even if you already have a support network, many club members have reached out to be another node on that network. More to the point, maybe there are other chess players that momentarily are not as well-connected, especially for those over the age of 65+. So although we might not know who you are, connect with us and let us know. We want to get the message out.
If you need something straightforward and you’re not sure who to call, we can help you. We have members in Glendale, Pasadena, San Marino, Arcadia, Monrovia and surrounding areas who can assist. Even if you never use it, know that you can contact us and get help when you need it.
In the meantime, join our email newsletter and find us on Chess.com (and ChessKids.com). We will be hosting a Live tournament if enough members join.
To slow the spread of coronavirus, the club has decided to temporarily suspended operations until the end of March and will re-evaluate the timing of our next event based on guidance from state, local and federal authorities.
All Americans are asked to avoid non-essential social gatherings of 10 or more people, as well as any discretionary travel or social visits for a minimum of 15 days. Please join our email newsletter to be notified of our next event.
Today the Los Angeles County Department of Health is recommending the public avoid non-essential travel and gatherings in public spaces, particularly among people that they don’t know. Event organizers are being asked to postpone or cancel gatherings of 250 people or more. Events of less than 250 people are advised to implement a social distance between people of six feet. People who fall into vulnerable categories are advised to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people. Social distancing is the tool being used to slow the spread of novel coronavirus, and the LA Department of Health supports the actions and the executive order issued by the governor and State of California.
The Sierra-Madre YMCA has been approved by the State of California as an all-day childcare center and will remain open.
As of Friday, March 13th, there was one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Pasadena, and 40 confirmed cases in Los Angeles County.
Published Thurs. March 12th at 3:00 PDT:
California public health officials affirmed today that small events are allowed to proceed, as long as organizers “implement social distancing of six feet per person.” Therefore, club organizers will try to maintain one board per table. The club continues to follow guidance and policy documents from the California Department of Health, the Los Angeles County Department of Health, and the Centers of Disease Control.
At the Sierra-Madre YMCA, everything continues to run normally. Membership and Program Coordinator Darlene Nolan said “We have ramped up our cleaning schedule and made hand sanitizer more easily available,” adding that SGV Chess will be notified if anything changes.
The Sierra Madre Open Tournament continues this Friday, March 13th. Check-in at 6:30p, Rounds begin at 7pm.
The club has arranged a way for tournament games to be conducted online. If you are at a higher risk of severe illness, or have had any type of cough or fever within the last 14 days, please send your request for remote accommodation to:
Published March 6th 2020: The San Gabriel Valley Chess Club has been closely monitoring reports of a novel (new) coronavirus and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Los Angeles County area and worldwide. The club is following guidance and policy documents from the California Department of Health, the Los Angeles County Department of Health, and the Centers of Disease Control (CDC). As of Friday, March 6, risk to the general public in California and Los Angeles County remains low. Los Angeles County health officials report there is no immediate threat to the general public and no special precautions are required.
We will be following FIDE health advisory protocol for the remainder of the tournament.
The following measures will be put in place:
Avoid handshakes and other close personal contact with fellow club members and other persons present. Instead of handshakes before your game, just greet politely and show respect to your opponent. You may say ‘good evening’ at the start of your game.
Rubbing alcohol and cotton wipes will be provided to wipe down chess pieces. Please request these supplies at the check-in desk.
You may request a ‘bye’ or have your games rated online. Contact us with your request.
Disinfectant soap and hot water will be made available. We encourage all members to bring their own hand sanitizer, if available, since local stores are out of stock.
Wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with soap & hot water before arriving at the YMCA and after you check-in for your game, and after you complete your games.
The Sierra Madre Open Tournament is on. Second round continues Friday, March 6th, with check-in at 6:30p and tournament clocks at 7pm.
Stay home if you feel ill or have a fever.
If you want to stay home and conduct your tournament game online, please send a request to
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
1. Wash your hands frequently Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub eliminates the virus if it is on your hands.
2. Practice respiratory hygiene When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
3. Avoid handshakes, hugs, kisses on the cheek and other close personal contacts with fellow conference attendees and other persons present Why? COVID-19 is spread via coming into contact with infected droplets.
4. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth Hands touch many surfaces that can be contaminated with the virus. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself. These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses.
5. If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, stay home and contact your health provider. Evidence suggests that like the flu, most people will have mild symptoms and should stay home until 24 hours after fever. Certain people should call their doctor early, including the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and those with underlying medical problems. If you are having difficulty breathing or keeping fluids down, go to an emergency room or call 911, otherwise it is better to call your doctor before going in to seek care.
At this time, the risk to the general public remains low. Los Angeles County residents, students, workers, and visitors are encouraged to engage in their regular activities and practice good public health hygiene.
The San Gabriel Valley Chess Club has a new home! We will be meeting on Friday evenings from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM at the Pasadena – Sierra Madre YMCA in the city of Sierra Madre (611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd).
The YMCA is located in a picturesque setting that we think everyone will truly enjoy. We have a large playing hall on the second floor of the building, an expansive parking lot, clean bathroom facilities, and even a kitchen we can use for refreshments.
Because we thought it best for everyone to first get acquainted with the new location, our first meeting on February 21 will be both an open house and blitz tournament. It will also give us an opportunity to tell you more about the club’s plans and to hopefully get some of you interested in serving on our Board of Directors. We will start a six round rated tournament the following week on February 28.
Friday night chess has a long tradition in the Greater Pasadena area and we hope to keep it going. Hope to see you all there!
