Where can I find inclement weather cancelation notices? Please check our home page and our blog for inclement weather closings.
What if we miss a class due to illness or for other reaons? We allow one make-up class per semester. You may attend another after-school program or a class at our Dean of Chess Academy.
What is your refund policy for classes and camps?
Our policy is:
Classes- Registration fees are non-refundable after the start of the session
Camps - Registrations fees less a $50 service fee will be returned if the cancellation occurs more than two weeks prior to the start of camp. Registration fees are non-refundable is cancellation request is received less than two weeks prior to the start of camp. However, if cancellation is due to an illness, a doctor's note is required to receive a refund minus the $50 service fee. Switching sessions or camps is permitted based on space availablility.
Tournament FAQ’s for Parents
1. How do I know my child is ready for a chess tournament?
Chess tournaments are a great way to practice what a child is learning in class. Many of our participants are relatively new to tournaments and generally at least 25% are at their first event. The atmosphere at our events is somewhat casual and the emphasis is on the children enjoying themselves and benefiting from the experience of the competition.
2. What time will I need to be at the tournament and when will it end?
The first round of our event starts at 10AM. We ask that everyone be present by 9:45 to check in at the registration desk that will be conveniently located at the venue. We need to know who is present to avoid a situation where one player is waiting for an opponent who does not show.
The K-1 section awards ceremony normally finishes by 12:30. All other sections will finish by 2:30. Our events are the shortest 4 round tournaments that we know of.
3. How does a tournament work?
At 10AM the pairings for each section will be posted. The pairings indicate who your child will compete against and on what table number he or she is playing at. Once that table is located, the parents have a few minutes to get their child settled and then must leave the room before the round begins. Each game cannot last more than an hour and most are typically finished within half an hour. After the players finish their game, they can find their parents and wait for the remaining games to finish before the next round will be paired and posted. This is usually a good time for the child to get something to eat or drink and perhaps play with the other children who have also finished. We require a parent or guardian to remain at the tournament the entire time for any child under 6th grade.
4. How many players will be there?
Our tournaments generally attract between 60 and 100 players. Sections 1-3 normally have between 15 and 35 players each, with section 2 nearly always being the largest. The masters section normally has around 10 participants.
5. Is this a team or individual event?
Both. Players compete individually but their individual scores count toward a team total. In order for players to compete as a team, at least 2 players must be participating in a section. Player’s scores also count for their team for the year long Grand Prix event. See more about the Grand Prix at www.deanofchess.com/grand_prix.
6. How do the awards work?
In all sections awards are given at the end of the last round. Parents and participants are gathered into the room and picture taking is encouraged. Section 1 awards are usually presented about 12:30pm and the remaining sections are presented about 2:30 pm.
In section 1 only, all players not receiving a trophy will receive a medal. In Sections 1 and 2, trophies are awarded to the top 8 individuals, and Top 5 individuals in Sections 3 & 4. The top 2 unrated players (players who are competing in their first tournament) are awarded trophies.
The top 3 teams also win trophies. For a school to compete as a team, at least 2 players from that school must participate in that section. The top 4 scoring individuals score from a school count as the team total.
7. What is a grand prix?
Dean Ippolito, LLC is proud to announce an exciting twist to the 2004-2005 tournament season. This year there will be additional awards for the top 3 scoring teams and top 3 scoring individuals which will be awarded at the final tournament of the season. There will be an updated top 10 list after each event so players and teams can follow their standings which will be listed at
The grand prix information can all be found at http://www.deanofchess.com/grand_prix.htm.
8. Can I watch my child’s games?
Parents are allowed into the tournament room before the games to help get their children settled. Before the round begins, an announcement will be made for all parents to leave the room. Our tournament directors are always present during the rounds to answer all questions and record the results.
9. What do I do while my child is playing?
Many parents bring something to read or work to do while the tournament is in progress. We make every effort for the rounds to go quickly and we are one of the only companies whose tournaments run on time.
10. What is the USCF?
The USCF (United States Chess Federation) is a not-for-profit membership organization and the official chess governing body of the
11. Why do I need to join the USCF to participate?
Our tournaments are US Chess Federation rated so every player must be a member of the USCF. The membership fee (either $19 or $25) is for membership in the USCF.
12. What is the difference between the youth and scholastic membership?
The scholastic membership is $19 and the youth is $25. The $25 fee entitles the child to a 1 year membership and a monthly subscription to Chess Life magazine. The $19 fee entitles the child to a 1 year membership and a bi-monthly subscription to Chess Life.
13. How do I join the USCF?
We handle all the paperwork for the area memberships so you can include either the $19 or $25 USCF membership fee with the tournament fee. You can also register online by going to www.uschess.org and clicking on join/renew.
14. What are half-point byes?
Half point byes are for those players who will not be able to play one of the rounds. One point is awarded for a win and 1/2 point for a draw, so a bye is the equivalent of a draw, but the bye can only be used if the player will not be present for the round. A maximum of two, ½ point byes can be given for a tournament, therefore a player needs to compete in at least 2 of the rounds.
15. What is the masters section?
The masters section is reserved for players with a USCF rating over 1000. These players have much tournament experience and are placed in this special division.
16. Do I need to be present the entire time?
If your child is in grade 6 or below, an adult supervisor is needed. When sending a team, one parent often takes responsibility for the entire team.
17. What is a chess clock and will the games be timed?
We do not require chess clocks to be used at our events, unless in the masters section. However, we do have a limit of 1 hour per round. In order to keep the event running on a timely fashion and avoid a situation where one game holds up 100 players, we will place a clock on a game that has already started if it is taking a long time and running the risk of going over the hour time limit. The tournament director will explain the rules of the clock to any players unfamiliar with it before placing a clock on a game. If you use a clock, the time control is game 30. Each player has 30 minutes to finish the game.
18. Any other tips?
Here are a few important tournament rules to remember:
1. Touch-move rule
If a player intentionally touches his/her piece and it has a legal move, that piece must be moved.
2. Touch-take rule
If a player intentionally moves his/her piece to capture an opponents piece and contact is made between the enemy pieces, then that move must be made as long as it is a legal move.
3. A win equals 1 point. A draw equals half of one point. A loss equals zero points.
3A. Awards at the end of the tournament will be given to the players with the highest total scores.
3B. In the event of a tie between two or multiple players, tiebreak systems will be used.
4. The time control for this tournament is Game 30 when using a clock. Each player will have half an hour to finish the game. Therefore, a game cannot last longer than 1 hour.
5. If a clock is not used at the start of a game, but the game is lasting a long time, a clock will be added by a tournament director.