Short answer: let your child learn the full rules first, then start with a small, friendly event. At Fat Cat Chess Academy in Bangkok, students prepare in Units K and L of Beginner I, play their first event at the in-house Intramural tournament, and later move on to Caturayuth, the academy’s FIDE-rated tournament.
Is your child ready?
- Moves every piece correctly, including castling, en passant and pawn promotion.
- Knows when a game is checkmate and when it is a draw.
- Can sit through a long game without leaving the table.
- Can handle losing without wanting to give up chess.
Which tournament to start with
- Intramural: a friendly in-house tournament with a relaxed atmosphere, ideal as a first event. Results count towards the academy’s own Fat Cat Rating. Intramural details.
- Fat Cat Rated Rapid: faster games that give a Rapid Fat Cat Rating to track progress.
- Caturayuth (จตุรยุทธ): a FIDE-rated standard tournament, 45 minutes + 15 seconds per move, round-robin groups of four, three rounds in one day. Caturayuth details.
Skills to practise before the day
- Writing down moves: standard games require players to record every move on a score sheet.
- Using a chess clock: press the clock with the same hand that moved the piece.
- Touch-move: a piece you touch is the piece you must move. To straighten a piece, say “adjust” first.
- Manners: shake hands before and after the game, and stay quiet while others are playing.
What to bring on the day
- Arrive early to register and find your board.
- Water and easy snacks; a standard tournament takes most of the day.
- Comfortable clothes and a light jacket, as air-conditioned rooms can be cold.
- Parents wait outside the playing area and must not help with moves during a game.
After the tournament
Ask your child about the game they are proudest of and one game they would like to play again. Bring the score sheet to the next class so the coach can go through it. Results of academy events are published on chess-results.com and on our tournaments and ratings page. To find out when the next event is, message LINE @fatcatacademy.
Frequently asked questions
Does my child need a FIDE ID before playing?
For Caturayuth, no. Fat Cat Chess Academy registers a FIDE ID for every player.
Is the entry fee included in class fees?
No. Each tournament has its own entry fee, separate from class fees. Ask on LINE @fatcatacademy about the next event.
Can private students play?
Yes, after taking Units K and L of Beginner I, which prepare students for tournaments.
Will my child get a FIDE rating straight away?
Not straight away. A player needs at least 5 games against FIDE-rated opponents first. See our guide to getting a FIDE rating in Thailand.
