What's a Chess Ladder?

A chess ladder is a simple way to encourage players to play chess against kids that are better than they are at the game. You learn best when playing against better players. It gives kids a chance to play other kids that they may not have played before, with the chance to advance in the rankings if you win against a higher ranked player, with no penalty if you lose.

Chess Ladder Rules:

1. Before beginning play, make sure that both players know this is a Ladder Game.
2. You can only challenge people above you on the Ladder.
3. If your opponent is in the top 10, you must be within 5 rungs to challenge them. If your opponent is outside the top 10, go for it! Examples: if you're in position 12, you may challenge players 8, 9, 10 or 11. Player 1 can't challenge anyone, but will be fair game for players 2, 3, 4 or 5 to challenge them. Player 20 can challenge anyone from 11 to 19.
4. If challenged and you're not already involved in a game and there is at least 20 minutes for a game, you must play. Failure to do so results in a forfeit and loss of position on the Ladder. The only exception is rule #8 below.
5. The player making the challenge plays White. The person being challenged plays Black.
6. If the lower ranked player wins or the higher ranked player forfeits, the two players swap positions on the Ladder.
7. If there is a draw, stalemate or the lower ranked player loses, the two players maintain their positions on the Ladder.
8. After a ladder game is played, at least one of the players must play someone else a game before they can challenge the same person to another game. (Example: Bob plays Bill. Bill loses. Bill can't challenge Bob to another ladder game until one of them has played someone else.)
9. Players on the Ladder who leave the club are removed, and everyone below them moves up.
10. Players not on the Ladder can get onto the Ladder by challenging any player on the bottom two rows to a Ladder game. If the player on the Ladder wins or draws they keep their position. If they lose, then the challenger takes over their spot on the Ladder. See rule #8 concerning rematches.
11. If there is a dispute: find an adult, explain the situation, and accept their decision without complaint.