The Gradual Return to Over the Board Chess

By CEO National Master Evan Rabin 

It has been  just over a year since all the schools around the country closed and 99% of our programming went virtual. In the beginning of the pandemic, my rabbi Mark Wildes, The Founder of Manhattan Jewish Experience, encouraged his students to use COVID-19 as an opportunity, not a problem. While, we could no longer meet in person, all the Manhattan Jewish Experience Fellow would still meet to learn each week via Zoom. Likewise, we converted most of corporate classes and school programs to virtual learning and we started offering public camps and group classes. We are continuing to do that as we are looking forward to our virtual summer camp, but we are excited to start offering COVID-19 safe in-person programming for the first time since February 2020! I personally have had both of my vaccines and most of our instructors have as well.

Here are the some of the in-person programs that we are excited about:

1) In-Person Quads in Central Park, May 8 

-Open to players of all skill levels

-Masks required.

-USCF Dual Rated

-$60 to 1st place in each quad

2)Spring Youth Beginner Class in Rego Park, May 6-June 24

3) 3^rd Annual Make a Difference Teaching Chess in Africa Trip, July 11-18, 2021

In the heat of the pandemic last year we unfortunately had to cancel the 2020 trip, but we are looking forward to returning to partner with Make a Difference Now this July. We will be teaching at a young women’s technology center for six days and doing an optional safari. I look forward to training another team of high-school and college students and adults during this wonderful experience. Vaccines are a requirement in order to attend. Learn more about trip by listening to our podcast episode with Make a Difference Now Founder Theresa Grant.

While it is still important to keep COVID-19 safety top of mind, that does not need mean you need to stick at home. If done in a safe way, in-person events can be healthy. We will certainly still offer virtual classes forever, you can expect to see more Premier Chess in-person classes and tournaments as time goes on.