In the summer 2023 we offered four FREE chess workshops and a FREE chess tournament at City Hall Plaza funded by a grant from the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture. A US Chess Federation titled player guided participants at each workshop covering elements of the opening, the middle game and endgame. Each workshop started at 2pm and lasted 1 to 1.5 hours followed by casual chess until 5pm. 

​

Presenter

NM Ryan Young is an experienced chess player and coach. He attained the title of National Master in 2017 and has been coaching for over a decade. He has experience teaching private lessons, group classes, workshops, and Scholastic Nationals teams.

​

Target Audience

Workshops were for players who have mastered the basics of chess and are now seeking to get to intermediate level. Suitable for those with ratings between 1,000 and 1,400. Adults and juniors ages 10 and up. The tournament was open to everyone regardless of their rating.

​

Location

The Civic Pavilion at Boston City Hall Plaza, Downtown Boston. The closest T stop is Haymarket (Orange Line). You can also get off the T at Government Center (Green Line) and follow the signs to the Civic Pavillion. The Civic Pavillion is directly opposite Boston Public Market.

​

Workshop Details, Dates & Times

1. Unfamiliar Waters (Sunday, July 2, 2pm) 

In the first workshop, we will explore a problem that is common for many beginners in the opening: what to do in the opening when our opponent makes an unexpected move. 

2. Pawn Structure, the Key to Planning in Chess (Sunday, July 9, 2pm) 

Andre Philidor once said, “Pawns are the soul of chess.” In week 2, we will use the pawn structure to create a plan and explore pawn breaks in a variety of situations. 

3. The Battle of Knights and Bishops (Sunday, July 16, 2pm) 

Students will learn about the subtle battle of the minor pieces. In which positions is the knight better than the bishop? Or vice versa? 

4. Endgame Basics - Rook and Pawn (Sunday, July 23, 2pm) 

Rook and pawn endings occur more often than any other endgame. We will learn some basic tactical and strategic themes as well as a few key positions and how to work your way towards them. 

​

Tournament Results

Full details of the '5D Chess Tournament' including results can be found here.

​

Registration

Note that the tournament capacity was approximately 60-80 people. 

​

Costs

This program was supported in part by a grant from the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture.

​