New tournament will address long standing problem

A problem affecting many sports and social clubs is that it is relatively easy to attract newcomers but much more difficult to retain them. Young and old alike can under estimate the ability level of the existing members and quickly decide it is not for them. Yet if they stay for six months or so many will find they have improved significantly.

Officers of Lichfield Chess Club with its 50 plus strong membership receive many inquiries about joining the club but it is common for people to say they are coming and then change their minds. Frustratingly when they do come along some will find that the standard is higher than they expected and they disappear.

Improving retention haas been discussed amongst Lichfield’s management team from time to time without a definitive plan to improve things being devised.

Now finally, there are hopes that a new tournament designed specifically to help integrate newcomers will help to improve their skills and give them an appetitie for league chess.

The group who hve entered the competition are all capable players and are familiar with computer chess, but they all arrived at the club after the league season started in September which has made it harder for them to become regular team members. Past experience has shown that can equate to deciding to leave.

They are all deligfhted to learn about the tournament and will all play each other in turn at a venue and date to be decided by them, Mostly they will choose The Guildhall on a Thursday or the Kings Head on a  Monday with games played at either person’s home being another possibility.