The hardest part for me about being a chess coach is building a team. Every year is a struggle and something always happens to throw a wrench into the plan. This year has been no exception.
My perfect team scenario is to have 2 teams of 4 players in both the 6th and under section and the 3rd and under section. It is rare for this scenario to play out perfectly.
This year, I had so many good players at both schools that I couldn't, with good conscience, pick just two teams in the 6th and under division. I decided to create 3 teams at each school and even then had players who I felt were deserving but didn't get placed on a team.
The decision to have three teams paid off. At Washington, all three teams qualified for state. At Madison, two of the three teams qualified. The one that didn't only had three players due to an absence which is a disadvantage every round because the last board is always scored as a loss.
I have one team of 5 players this year. It's hard to have a team of more than four because the players have to rotate in and out throughout the day and it disrupts the flow of the team. (One year, I had seven players on a team. I'll NEVER do that again!) The reason for having five players on the team is complicated but I feel good about the decision.
At some point, I'll create a post about all of the crazy things that have happened with my teams over the years and why I've come to the conclusion that 2 teams of 4 players is best.
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