Team Chess!
Right around the corner lies some of the most fun and competitive chess events in the nation, the United States Amateur Team chess tournaments. But, what exactly IS Team chess? Although it may sound intimidating, it is a favorite of both amateurs and grandmasters alike.
United States Chess Team (right) playing in 2012 Olympiad in Istanbul
In team chess, each team normally has 4 players, possibly 5 if the team wants to have an alternate player. Each player is arranged from highest rating to lowest rating, and competes against other teams with that same order. If your first board plays white, than board 2 and 4 play black, and board 3 will get white. All the players play on the same side of the board, however. Each player on the team plays their own individual game, but the result of your and all the rest of your team members points get added up. If your team scores 2.5 against 1.5, you win the round and get a (1) on the wall chart. If your team ends up with 2 -2, then the team draws the match: (.5), and 0 – 4 would result in (0).
From my perspective, team chess is more fun that standard chess, mainly because it increases the competition, and adds the element of observing others chess games. It also takes the sting out of losing, and sometimes if the rest of your team gets whipped out, it can be even more rewarding to win a game for the entire team. Most team tournament also gives prizes for best – and usually funny – team names. Here is a link to some classic funny chess team names. My personal favorites are: My last year’s team name was “Leftover Salmon”.
A shot of my team (me in front playing chess as white) in last years United States Amateur Team North Chess Event
The United States Armature Team Chess Tournament is divided up into four sections ( also known as chess regions) based on geographic location: north, east, south, and west. This year, the USATN chess tournament will be held in Schaumburg, IL. Each team must collectively have an average team rating of under 2200, which means that there is fair game for all teams! More information can be found at the official website: Here
Good Chess,
NM Nolan Hendrickson
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