I have written about this multiple times. Still there is a necessity to write one more time, because a lot of parents are confusing about this. They would realize the problem until it's too late.
One short answer is: as often as possible.
Another specific short answer is: once a week.
Chess is about experience, not just knowledge. It's different from a test. You can make progress, or you can regress. A few tournaments may not reflect his/her true strength. It depends on too many things: his/her opponents, his/her mood, his/her psychology, his/her time management, etc. Only playing more can smooth these out.
Often a parent wants to see the result right away. After three tournaments, s/he will start to complain about his/her child's non-progress. The more you want to hurry, the higher the pressure your child will have, and the worse s/he might perform.
If your child treats tournaments as big tests, such as SAT, which might impact her/his chess career, then s/he will feel greatly pressured, and s/he might flunk the test. Failing is normal and losing games is normal in chess. S/he should think about tournaments as small quiz. Passing or failing will not impact anything. S/he could always try it again, and again. Every week s/he will have a chance to try again.
Making tournaments as her/his routine, just like s/he takes lessons. Then there will be no important decisions coming from their results, and no struggle. Just go and play. Sooner or later, you will see the improvement.
One short answer is: as often as possible.
Another specific short answer is: once a week.
Chess is about experience, not just knowledge. It's different from a test. You can make progress, or you can regress. A few tournaments may not reflect his/her true strength. It depends on too many things: his/her opponents, his/her mood, his/her psychology, his/her time management, etc. Only playing more can smooth these out.
Often a parent wants to see the result right away. After three tournaments, s/he will start to complain about his/her child's non-progress. The more you want to hurry, the higher the pressure your child will have, and the worse s/he might perform.
If your child treats tournaments as big tests, such as SAT, which might impact her/his chess career, then s/he will feel greatly pressured, and s/he might flunk the test. Failing is normal and losing games is normal in chess. S/he should think about tournaments as small quiz. Passing or failing will not impact anything. S/he could always try it again, and again. Every week s/he will have a chance to try again.
Making tournaments as her/his routine, just like s/he takes lessons. Then there will be no important decisions coming from their results, and no struggle. Just go and play. Sooner or later, you will see the improvement.
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