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PALADIN
A Paladin is comfortable and confident in tournament conditions, navigating openings both known and unknown, and can press home an advantage. A Paladin can play well tactically and positionally. A Paladin is roughly the strength of a Class D (1200) USCF player, and can also reach this rank with an official USCF of 1200 through match and/or tournament play.
Requirements / Coaching Guide
- Machine Mode
- play three practice games with the "Chess Calculation" sheet
- Chess Book
- pick a chess book and read it, using a chessboard to follow positions.
- Time Pressure
- practice games at Game 1 minute, 5 second delay.
- More Annotation
- have player annotate scholastic games then compare with Houdini; at least three games.
- R+P vs R
- learn drawing and winning techniques.
- Endgames
- endgame quizzes (at least 20) from Polgar's big CHESS book.
- Psychology
- analyze lost games with inexplicable blunders to unearth their underpinnings.
- Opening Repertory
- polish opening repertory with player, as White and as Black.
- Practice Games
- ten notated practice games at rank
- Botvinnik
- go over ten Botvinnik games
- Tournament
- must compete in official chess tournament at previous level with notation and good sportsmanship.
- Promotion Game
- Win a game from a higher-rated player getting Paladin odds.
