- Does it cost anything to join? The membership fee is $15, and it is per child or a maximum of $45 for a family with more than three (3) participating chess players. There are tournament fees for each chess tournament and participation is completely voluntary. There will be ten (10) scholarships available ten individual students. To qualify for a scholarship, the parent or guardian would need to contact a board member and request financial assistance by email: [email protected].
- I don't have any experience with chess and don't know how to play? Where do I start? Come and join our weekly chess training sessions instructed by Mark Falk, President of Rapid City Area Scholastic Chess Club. Also there are seasoned adult chess players volunteering to help your student with their chess game such as Paul Freidel and Nate Walstrom.
- My child(ren) are beyond the basics and are looking to advance their chess play. Are there competitive chess play for my child(ren)'s advanced chess game? There are seasoned adult chess players and advanced student chess players ready to develop and improve your students' chess game.
- Do I, the parent or adult responsible for my child(ren), need to be present for the whole duration of a chess training or chess tournament event and why? Yes. The game of chess is highly focused and out of respect to the instructors and students, Rapid City Area Scholastic Chess Club asks that you be present to help your student to maintain proper decorum during their attendance at any of our chess club events. Each parent is responsible for their child(ren)'s observance of our chess club rules.
- My child has the wiggles and just needs time on their cell phone/tablet/laptop. Is it ok to turn on one of my devices for my child for a little bit? Chess is a game that is highly focused so a no media policy is the best policy for your student's chess game to progress. Of course, if there is an emergency, then please step out of the chess room to do what you need on your device.
- Can I snack while at the chess club and/or while at the club chess events? At our chess tournaments, there will be a set time for lunch so you are welcome to dine at the chess tournament venue space specified for dining. Or feel free to go grab a bite. Snacking during chess training sessions, chess tournaments and/or chess matches would be distracting, so no snacking during those times.
- If I don't attend any or just some of the weekly chess training sessions, can I still participate in a chess tournament? You are not required to attend the chess training sessions to participate in a chess tournament, but it sure would be helpful.
- Why can't I see any content on the Rapid City Area Scholastic Facebook page? I requested to join, but have not received a response? The Rapid City Scholastic Facebook page is a private group. Facebook content is not consistent and comments are not typically answered. If you have questions, then please email our club at [email protected]. However, all events and information are ON OUR WEBSITE and our club President uses group email to communicate and NOT Facebook. So if you are not on the club's Facebook page (which was created by a former leader of this chess club), you will not miss any chess happenings. If you check in our club's website regularly, you will be up to date with our chess club's news.
- I can't help at the tournament, but still want to register my student. Is it ok to enter my student without volunteering to help or to contribute to the tournament? No. The Rapid City Area Scholastic Chess Club is a VOLUNTEER, community organization. The volunteerism of parents and the chess coaches are what keeps our chess events available for your STUDENT. If your student is interested in participating in the chess training sessions or chess tournaments, then please be prepared in participating to help or contribute to each of students' participation.
- Are there open chess tournaments, chess tournaments for adults only? Yes! Our first open tournament happened March 2022 and we are pleased to see the strong chess interest among adults in the Rapid City area. Look for upcoming open tournaments planned for the new school year. Go the meetings and events tabs for schedule updates.
- How can I help? Glad you asked! The Rapid City Area Scholastic Chess Club is a completely volunteer non-profit community organization. YOU are the key to the sustainability of our chess club. Currently Nate Walstrom (President), Danielle Giuseffi (Treasurer), Jen Wright (Manager) and Jan McGrath (Communications/Marketing) are your club officers, however, there are still many parts to this club that require the helping hands of additional parent-volunteers. Be on the look out for SignUp email notice for where you can help our chess club. Thank you for asking. :D