Some words from the chessplayers who already took part in our tours in St. Petersburg.

I'm commenting on GMChess school as father of a student, not as a student myself. If your child, of any age (10 upwards anyway) is very strong at chess, plays a lot, and just wins all the time in local school events, what next? A good way to progress is a "chess holiday" in St. Petersburg.

My daughter, aged 10 at the time, went to GMChess for 2 weeks. She took lessons every day with GM Kochyev, mostly on opening theory. She likes him because he treats his students seriously as chess players, and teaches the openings at a level that can be played against anyone (even grandmasters). There were additional lessons with Master of Sports and Tromposky-specialist Genrikh Chepukaitis, and even a meeting with 1999 World Champion Alexander Khalifman.

We live in a place where chess is not a big sport, tournaments are few, chess clubs mostly inactive, and there are no active players of master strength. The number 1 feature of St. Petersburg (at least from our point of view) is that it is a chess players city. There are clubs with long and rich chess traditions, such as the Tchigorin Club. Several clubs each hold rapid tournaments once or twice a week - that means maybe five events every week. These are typically seven round, Swiss system, 15 minutes per player on the clock - so it all takes about 4 hours. Players, about 40, usually range from about 1,700-1,800 strength at the very bottom, to master strength (above 2,400) at the top. These are great playing breaks from studying theory, good opportunities to apply the lessons learned, and the best place to immerse in the social environment of Russian chess. You will score points from your new opening knowledge!

I don't know how to measure progress from a 10-14 day chess school, but it certainly makes a difference. I think it has excellent effects on motivation, as a way to push a student to new ways of thinking about chess. A lot of material is covered, and it seems to me that the main playing benefit takes a couple of months to kick in, as the lessons are gradually assimilated and practiced. Once you know the people, it is easier and more humanized to arrange continuing study on-line.

Practical points: 1) the more you study before arrival, the more you have to build on. Know basic endings. Keep a good notebook of all your games. 2) don't go unless you can play and think chess with enthusiasm many hours a day. 3) Even for a young child, I would think 1,600 or so playing level is minimum to benefit from a program. Less than that, learn locally then go.

As a parent, I would argue that most people find it 'normal' (a good Russian word with apparently somewhat different meaning) to spend money on piano lessons, gymnastics coaching, or cross-country travel for some sports team. Often people don't think to put the same family resources into chess. If you want your child to be good at anything, it takes time, practice, training, and therefore money - chess is no different.

We all like St. Petersburg. It is safe - at least as safe as most European cities these days - energetic, sometimes chaotic, and architecturally fabulous. If you want your child to learn chess and experience a new place and culture at the same time, contact Stan at GMChess!

Harold, HongKong

Well today I got back from my visit to GMChess/Khalifman school where I meant Alexander himself and we had a lecture by him too.

I competed in the White Nights tournament there scoring an unim pressive 2 out of 9, but considering the field it was not too bad.

I beat a player rated over 2100 and drew with two unrated players. I also missed a win in a complicated position against another 2100+ player and also got a much better position out of the opening in another game but just failed to choose the appropriate plan! So even against players who where 2200 and over I didn't feel too far out of my depth - ie it is possible to beat them. My rating performance at the end of the tournament was 1904 but I didnt play enough rated games anyway for a FIDE rating. May be next time I will be a little but more prepared and get over the 2000 perforance and get my first real FIDE rating.

Most of the lessons there where very interesting - although I developed a preference for which teacher I liked and so booked some extra Lessons with him while I was there.

Peter, UK

Here are my impressions about the GMchess session;

I have had about two weeks of training, combined with a participation in the FIDE tournament 'White Nights'. During my stay I have met various

Russian masters, each with his own approach to the game. Each had his own style and his own points to make. For example, mr Chepukaitis is know for his imaginative gameplay, focussing heavily on the activity of the chessmen. Mr Shashin has develloped a chesstheory based on algorims, and others masters had their focus of interest. So the lessons gave me a good impression on the various approaches of chess and I was able to select a teacher whose approach and psychological profile fitted me most.

This was for me an important goal, because after stuffing for some 15 years my bookshelves with chessbooks I would never read, my ELO never advanced above the 1900 mark. Now I have the impression that there is hope after all for me :-)

... I will surely return to St.Petersburg for an other session, but I would like to have some more influence on the subjects next time.

Willem, Netherlands

Yes, I was satisfied with the sessions. All aspects of the game were treated. It was a pity that I had so much time left. But I considered it to tough to participate in the White Nights tournament too.

Aard, Netherlands