TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ADMISSION AND STUDY

FOR STUDENTS OF THE CHESS ACADEMY OF ARMENIA

1.  Admission

These regulations define the admission procedure, responsibilities, and other key issues related to the admission of children to the Chess Academy of Armenia.

Group chess classes at the Chess Academy of Armenia are held six days a week (Monday to Saturday) and are provided free of charge.

The following applicants may be admitted to the Academy:

• Children aged 4–5 (beginners), who will be taught chess starting from the very basics
• Children aged 6 who demonstrate chess aptitude, including recognition of the pieces and knowledge of their moves (by decision of the Coaching Council)
• Children aged 7 holding 4th qualification category
• Boys aged 8 holding 3rd qualification category (girls holding 4th category)
• Boys aged 9 holding 2nd qualification category (girls holding 3rd category)
• Boys aged 10 holding 1st qualification category (girls holding 2nd category), by decision of the Coaching Council
• Chess players aged 11–16 who have qualified for the final stage of the Armenian Youth and Girls Championship in their age group
• Chess players aged 17–18 who placed in the top half of the final stage of the Armenian Youth Championship in their age group

To apply for admission, the following documents must be submitted:

• Child’s birth certificate or passport
• One photograph (3×4 cm)
• Qualification category booklet (if available)

Registration is conducted throughout the entire academic year. When a new group is formed, registered children are notified by phone according to the order of registration.

In cases of group change or transfer from another chess sports school to the Academy, a written application must be submitted. The decision regarding transfer (admission) is made by the Admissions Committee based on the information provided in the application.

Transfers from other chess sports schools to the Academy are permitted twice per year, provided the transferring chess player holds a 2nd qualification category or higher:

• In May, after the final tournaments of the Armenian Youth and Girls Championships
• In November, after the World and European Youth and Girls Championships

2. Rights and Privileges of Students

• The Academy operates elite groups of 4–6 students, ensuring an individual approach to each child
• The Academy organizes major and international tournaments. Academy students who place 1st–3rd in the final stage of the Armenian Youth and Girls Championships may participate free of charge, while participants who reach the final stage receive a 50% discount
• The Academy organizes training camps. Participation is free for Academy students who place 1st in the final stage of the Armenian Youth and Girls Championships; participation for 2nd-place students is subject to a decision of the Coaching Council
• Special attention is given to Academy students who qualify to participate in European and World Championships
• Educational seminars with leading Armenian specialists are regularly organized at the Academy
• For top students from Academy branches, training sessions are organized both on-site at the Academy and in remote learning format

3. Conditions for Dismissal from the Academy

Students in the age groups listed below lose the right to continue their studies at the Academy if they fail to meet the Academy’s established performance standards.

Dismissal applies to:

• 7-year-old boys who, after attending the Academy for at least 1.5 years, have not obtained the 4th qualification category
• 8-year-old boys who, after at least 1.5 years, have not obtained the 3rd qualification category
• 9-year-old boys who have not obtained the 2nd qualification category
• 10-year-old boys who have not obtained the 1st qualification category
• 8-year-old girls who, after at least 1.5 years, have not obtained the 4th qualification category
• 9-year-old girls who, after at least 1.5 years, have not obtained the 3rd qualification category
• 10-year-old girls who have not obtained the 2nd qualification category
• 11-year-old girls who have not obtained the 1st qualification category

4. Exceptions

Students aged 10–17 who did not qualify for the final stage in a given year shall not be dismissed in the following cases:

• If, as of May 1 of the given year, the student ranks 1st–3rd in the national individual rating list
• If the student participated in the final stage of the Armenian Championship in their age group the previous year and moved to a higher age group the following year (e.g., played in the U10 final last year and competes in U12 this year), even if they did not qualify for the final stage that year
• If the student was born in November or December of the current year and moves to a higher age group the following year, provided they demonstrate strong results in the Armenian Youth and Girls Championship semifinals (by decision of the Coaching Council)
• If, by August 31, the student placed 1st or 2nd in any of the following tournaments:
  • Stepan Avagyan Youth Tournament
  • Tigran Petrosian Youth Tournament
  • Other international tournaments (by decision of the Coaching Council)

​​5. Age Calculation

Age is determined based on the date of birth, calculated according to the relevant date of the current year.