This is a tough question for which I don't have a good answer. I think I had made wrong decision in this case myself, so I don't want to misguide you. I will just list the following arguments, and you make your own judgement call.
First, if the problem is just for one single day, then you can solve it quickly by searching USCF TLA for tournaments on another day, i.e. Sunday here. But soon he needs to play in large tournaments, which mostly take two days or a whole long weekend, what can you do? You have to decide whether to attend Chinese School (or any other activity) or play in tournament. It's a tough decision every time, and gets harder and harder.
Second, nowadays, kids have too many activities after school and on weekends. Here is an incomplete list:
All sports have competitions (tournaments) on weekends.
There are only two days in a weekend. So be realistic.
If anyone wants to be good in any activity, becoming regional or national ranked, it takes at least 2-3 hours daily, and 4-5 days a week, just for practice. How many 2-3 hour blocks s/he has everyday? S/he can only be great in one, or excellent in two. That's it. S/he can test water everywhere, but sooner or later, a decision has to be made.
My own lesson forces me to suggest: try to be great in one, average in others. Excellent in two sounds ideal, but rarely feasible.
First, if the problem is just for one single day, then you can solve it quickly by searching USCF TLA for tournaments on another day, i.e. Sunday here. But soon he needs to play in large tournaments, which mostly take two days or a whole long weekend, what can you do? You have to decide whether to attend Chinese School (or any other activity) or play in tournament. It's a tough decision every time, and gets harder and harder.
Second, nowadays, kids have too many activities after school and on weekends. Here is an incomplete list:
- Sports (swim, hockey, gymnastic, rhythm gymnastic, soccer, basketball, tennis, badminton, track, taekwondo, martial art, etc.)
- Music (piano, flute, violin, drum, etc.)
- Painting
- Math (Kumon, math competitions)
- Debate
- Chess, Go
- Chinese School
All sports have competitions (tournaments) on weekends.
There are only two days in a weekend. So be realistic.
If anyone wants to be good in any activity, becoming regional or national ranked, it takes at least 2-3 hours daily, and 4-5 days a week, just for practice. How many 2-3 hour blocks s/he has everyday? S/he can only be great in one, or excellent in two. That's it. S/he can test water everywhere, but sooner or later, a decision has to be made.
My own lesson forces me to suggest: try to be great in one, average in others. Excellent in two sounds ideal, but rarely feasible.
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