Lessons and Quads Fall 2024

The Hart House Chess Club is pleased to announce the Fall 2024 Lessons and Quads Schedule! All Lessons and Quads will be held in the Bickersteth Room of Hart House. All are free to attend or participate for Members of the Club.

Lessons: This Fall, join us on Fridays throughout the semester for exciting lessons and lectures to help you become a better player. Members are entitled to free lessons this fall provided by expert lecturers and experienced players.

Quads: This Fall, join us on select Fridays, from 7 pm – 9 pm for weekly CFC and FIDE-rated Rapid Quad tournaments. A time control of 10 mins + 5 seconds increment allows for structured improvement and game play. It is also a great tournament for those new to chess. No commitment to all weeks is necessary, play whenever you can!

Registration and Interest Form: Those interested in attending or participating are encouraged to fill out the following form.

Lessons Details

Complete Beginners:

The expected audience are players who have never played chess or who only know how the pieces move. No chess experience is expected and fundamentals starting from piece movement will be covered. Interactive sessions, informative demonstrations, resources, and discussions will be provided to help students learn how to play. Registration is required for all prospective attendees.
Lessons will be co-taught: Victor Zheng (CFC elo 2192), Steven Guo (CFC elo 1638)
Registration: Registration is required. Please fill out this form.
Lessons will cover:
- Week 1: Piece Value, Piece Movement, Openings
- Week 2: Opening theory, strategies
- Week 3: Middlegame theory, strategies
- Week 4: Endgames, General Play, Conclusion
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Fridays September 20, 27, October 4, 11

Intermediate Lessons:

The expected audience are players who are looking to up their game. Players are expected to know fundamental ideas of piece movement, basic strategies of chess, and calculation methods. 10 lessons will be offered and participants can still learn something if they miss a class. All participants are expected to be members of the Hart House Chess Club.
Registration: Registration is required here. However, participants can join at any point during the lesson schedule.
Lessons will be taught by: Uttam Dhungel (CFC elo 1928)
- Pawn structure
- Imbalances
- Middlegame strategy
- Understanding endgames
- Studying games of Masters
Time: 5:30 pm – 7 pm Fridays
- September 20, 27
- October 4, 11, 25
- November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Quad Tournament Details

The following section describes the 2024 Fall Quad tournament schedule.

A Quad Tournament is where all players are sorted from highest rating to lowest rating and the top four highest-rated players are placed in one section (a Quad), then the following 4 highest rated players are placed in another Quad. This process continues until all players are given a designated Quad. If there are 1, 2 or 3 players remaining after the last full Quad has been designated, those players will be placed in the last quad section and that section will play a 3 round Swiss match.

WHEN: Selected Fridays in Fall 2024.

September 20, 27
October 4, 11, 24
November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

WHAT: 3-round FIDE Rated (top two quads), CFC-Active Rated Quad Tournament, 10 mins + 5 secs/move increment time control.
WHERE: Hart House Bickersteth Room (3rd floor), (7 Hart House Circle, Toronto, ON)
RATINGS: CFC Quick and FIDE Rapid rated in top two quads. Otherwise, only CFC Quick Rated. CFC Quick ratings are used for all pairings. All players must have a valid CFC membership to play. Registration done in-person weekly first-come-first-served.
ROUND TIMES: 7:00 pm, 7:40 pm, 8:20 pm
SECTIONS: Players are split by ratings into pools of 4, with up to 4 pools.
EQUIPMENT: HHCC will supply all chess equipment
PRIZES: Each quad features a $50 first-place gift card prize.
CAPACITY: 16 per night
ENTRY FEES: Free for GMs, IMs, HHCC members. $20 otherwise.
REGISTRATION: Accepted ONLY in person from 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm. Fill out the following interest form to be notified of late-breaking news, updates, and to receive a weekly reminder email.

Chess Federation of Canada Memberships are Required: $12 for a one-time adult, or $48 for one year. https://www.chess.ca/en/players/membership-join/. For HHCC student members, a single tournament membership is covered for unrated players in their first tournament ($12 value).