Meeting Times:
Specific Saturdays; 12:00 - 2:00 pm
Location:
Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto (map)
505 E Charleston Rd, Palo Alto
Required Skill Level:
500-1250 USCF Rated, Ages 6 to 15 only.
(Don't quite yet have 500?, there's time!: play rated events)
Team Meeting Dates:
8 Scheduled Classes:
9/27, 10/4, 10/25, 11/15, 12/6, 12/13, 1/10, 1/24
While there are no make-up classes offered for missed sessions, we feel that the extra value more than covers the difference (up to 3 missed sessions). Please only join if the player is available for at least 5 out of the 8 scheduled Saturday classes.
What can the $200 Team Credits be used toward?
ANY BAC Chess Camps:
11/11, 11/24-26, 12/22-23(Master Camp), 12/29-31, or 1/19/26,
or ANY Major BAC Tournaments:
Weekends of 10/11, 11/1, 11/8, 11/29, 12/20, (January TBD)
How? Simply Register normally for any qualifying Event above and we will distribute the rebate (up to $200 per player) near the end of the season; January 2026!
*Note that Regular weekend Tournaments are not qualifying events.
Apply for the BAC Tournament Team:
24 Seats are available. If you would like to APPLY for the BAC Team,
please send your application through this Google Form:
If you were already a part of the 2024-2025 Team, no Application is necessary - you may Register (on this page)!
>>> APPLY HERE <<<
(Accepted Players will be Notified/Invited to Register)
A Note from the Instructor, Senior Coach Wolfgang Behm:
"You’re in a real game facing a tough opponent. The position is complicated with so many possibilities. What move should you make? You need a simple and clear method for finding an advantage! BAC Team training will help you find better and more accurate moves faster than ever! The Team is designed for lower to mid-rated scholastic players who are serious about chess improvement and training for tournaments. We will focus on building a blueprint for success via specific thinking habits, principles, and decision-making skills. The Team will include the study of master-level games, specific openings, as well as middlegame and endgame positions crucial at this level. Students are expected to submit personal games so our titled players (GMs, IMs, etc.) and coaches can give in-class analysis. Outside of class, students are expected to practice homework when assigned, study on their own with recommended chess books, online tactics trainers, and to play online and attend in-person tournaments regularly."
Team Members receive:
- 8 Meeting Sessions for Tournament Themed Training + Instruction + Practice
- BAC Team Shirt + BAC Workbook +
$200 in Event Credits!!!
Meeting dates are staggered intentionally to allow for Players to Join us for Rated Championships on non-instruction weekends!
NOTE: Team Classes are Only for USCF RATED Players.
The CalChess State Championships are approaching! - BAC Tournament Team members who need USCF renewals will receive that for free if they fall within the Team date range and are of course going to participate in the Free posted Event!
Required Skill Level:
For 500-1250 USCF Rated, Ages 6 to 15. We are looking for Active Tournament Players, One event per month minimum. If your child is unrated, or not yet rated 500, then please engage in more rated tournaments before joining this class, as they are hosted just about every weekend in the Bay Area: BAC Tournament Site and Menu. We will not be making exceptions on the Rating requirements this season.
What if my Child is not yet Rated?
We would recommend joining more USCF Events to update the Rating ASAP. If you feel that you need an assessment, the Palo Alto CLUB (group lessons and pairings) meets on Saturdays at the same location, for a drop-in fee, where you can speak directly with Coach Wolfgang. If you cannot commit to joining any tournaments, then the Tournament Team is not right for you and we recommend the weekly Palo Alto Chess Club, or one of the other locations: (see all locations)
Are there Make-ups or Pro-Rates?
Teams do not offer pro-rates, trials or drop-ins as it is important that the coaches have a static roster for all sessions. Missed classes are not 'refunded', though we made sure that the $200 in Camp/Event Credits is worth more than the value of potential absences.
Instructors?
Senior Coach Wolfgang Behm will lead the Team. If the Team grows to a certain ratio, we will add an instructor
What if I do not Use All of My Team Credits?
With 10 Qualifying Chess events over a 4-month stretch, $200 worth of credits should be easy enough to spend for an active Chess Scholar/Player. Credits do not have a "cash-back" value, nor can they be refunded, traded, or saved beyond 1/19/26 (the last applicable Event / MLK Camp).
Note: Rated Tournaments are registered through our TOURNAMENT Website, below. The two sites use different log-in credentials.
https://enrichment.bayareachess.com is the Enrichment Site :
All registration for Camps / Classes / Clubs / Chesskid / PracticeEvents / Teams use the Enrichment website.
(Help email: enrich@bayareachess.com)
https://www.bayareachess.com is the Tournament Site :
All USCF-Rated Events (including State Championships) use the Tournament website.
(Help email: events@bayareachess.com)
Other
Other afterschool programs