Two hours inside your evening that end with a winner
The tournament doesn't replace your programme, it lives inside it: while some guests eat and talk, others play, and by the end of the evening there are standings, a prize-giving and a reason for photos. From eight people to a hundred, at your venue or one we help you find.
This page is about the Moscow side of things: deadlines, venues and getting around in the busiest month of the year.
Every New Year party has guests who aren't into games and karaoke. They usually head home after the main course; at the board, they stay to the very end
The tournament takes up a corner of the room and two hours while everyone else eats and talks. It's not a script for the whole evening, it's a block within it
A December corporate party rarely builds to anything. Here the evening ends with a winner, a prize-giving and a reason to take photos
In Moscow, December works in such a way that your choice of venue and date determines everything else. Here's how it looks month by month.
The relaxed window: any date and any venue is available, so you get to choose rather than settle for what's left
Still doable, but the good venues for the second half of December are already taken. Weekdays are easier than Fridays
Peak season: Fridays are booked and venue prices are higher. At this point a tournament in your own office often turns out both quicker and cheaper
People start leaving town, and part of the team is already on holiday. If your date is late, go for a short format with fewer rounds
The most underrated option in December is your own office: nothing to rent, nobody has to cross the whole city, and the evening is just as good. Here's how it works: office chess tournament.
Arrival, one-minute registration in the app and a quick rules refresher for anyone who hasn't played in a while
The first rounds. While the games are on, the rest of the evening goes on as usual: food, conversation, the photographer
The final rounds, the most tense ones: two or three people usually fight for first place, and a crowd gathers around them
Final standings, prize-giving, photos. After that the evening carries on without us
The timings shift to fit your programme: the tournament can go before dinner or after the official part. For the round schedule, see how the timing is worked out.
Tell us how many people, which part of Moscow, and the date or at least the week. We'll reply the same day, confirm whether we're free and give you a price. If you don't have a venue yet, we'll suggest where to look for your group size and area.
Other formats for a December evening: corporate event activities and a simultaneous exhibition.
Yes, if there's a private room or at least a separate area: boards and clocks don't work well in a noisy main hall. Ordinary restaurant tables are fine, at two people per table.
The earlier, the better. In Moscow, venues for the second half of December are taken by November, especially Fridays. If you haven't picked a date yet, a weekday early in the month gives you a choice of venues and a calmer price.
About two hours including the prize-giving. The tournament doesn't replace your programme, it lives inside it: meanwhile everyone else eats, chats and wanders over to watch.
That's usually the case. Knowing how the pieces move is enough; from round two the pairings match people of similar strength. Those who don't play at all become spectators, and people love following their colleagues' games.
Yes, and that's perfectly normal: it's a New Year party, not a rated event. Just schedule the tournament for the first half of the evening, before the main festivities, otherwise the last rounds will be fun but chaotic.
Yes, the prizes are yours: we take care of the games and announcing the winners. You can also have your own awards: best newcomer, game of the night, department champion.
We will, but we set off with plenty of time to spare: Moscow traffic in December is unpredictable. That's why we agree in advance on when we can get into the building and set up the equipment.
There are shorter, lighter formats: a simultaneous exhibition, a drop-in "sit down and play" chess zone and other activities. They work well when there are lots of people and little time.
Every corporate format in the city: tournaments in Moscow. If guests are bringing children: family day. An evening in the business district towers: Moscow City.
