Western Invitational Chess Camp
Strongest Chess Camp in the USA | Tucson, AZ
Strongest Chess Camp in the USA | Tucson, AZ
In 2007, the top group had an average rating of 2190 with one international master, 5 masters, and the rest experts. The quality of the instructors and participants are unmatched helping make this the highest rated chess camp in the U.S. The minimum USCF rating to be invited is 1500; however, this requirement may be waived if the student's coach emails the camp director at robzadamson@msn.com and receives permission. Please contact the organizer if this is applicable.
Significant effort is made to draw students from all over the United States. The camp has drawn from numerous states including: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, and Washington.
The camp typically has 30-35 students and is designed for serious chess students.
see Schedule page
see Schedule page
Out of town players have the option of staying with the local families if they desire, if reserved in advance, and based on availability, at no additional charge. Some participants, particularly the younger students, might best stay at a hotel with their own family.
First, camp begins on Sunday! The arrival date for those flying in from out of town is Saturday, otherwise Sunday morning. The departure date is Monday, if staying after the camp for the Ye Olde Pueblo Open; if you are attending the camp but are not staying for the tournament after, your departure date is Thursday night (last night of the camp) or the next morning.
You can register by sending in your entry and registration fee per the link on the website at www.sazchess.org a few months prior to the camp.
There are several factors that go into determining group placement. First, your current USCF rating (at the time of the camp), as well as peak rating. Second, I try to place students with friends, as long as they are close in rating, as well as with students of the same age. Consideration is also given to how students finish in the prior years' camp tournament.
Approximately 1 month before the camp, I will have a better handle of the breakdown of the groups.
There are numerous places to eat nearby.
No! In order to take some of the pressure off the students, the camp tournament is Quick-rated only. Your USCF rating will not be affected.
see Registration page
This camp began in 2004, with 10 players. The original instructors of the camp were IM Levon Altounian, IM Mark Ginsburg, and FM Robby Adamson.
The camp grew the following year and was a hit in 2005 and 2006 with GM Larry Christiansen as the head instructor. In 2006, we added one of the youngest Grandmasters ever, Alejandro Ramirez from Costa Rica, who currently attends University of Texas at Dallas.
In 2007 and 2008, GM Greg Kaidanov and GM Yuri Shulman were the featured instructors, along with IM Levon Altounian, FM Danny Rensch, FM Robby Adamson, and FM Ken Larsen.
In 2009, the camp welcomed top-40 in the world GM Alexander Onischuk. Significant effort is made into bringing in new instructors, and the best instructors are rotated from year to year. Visit our Instructor page for a complete list of camp instructors.
This camp is intense, but is also a lot of fun. The reviews by the students have all been outstanding.
The camp director is Robby Adamson, and he can be reached by email at robzadamson@msn.com or by telephone at (520) 577-6799.