What is a podium?

When the final standings go up, you look for your name near the top. Being on the podium means finishing in the top three: first, second or third. Over the board means you play on a real board with real pieces, in one room. Big tournaments split players into groups by age or by level, and these groups are called sections. Your section needs 8 players or more, and an age group or a section for beginners counts too.

How the top three is found

The First Tournament page explains how a tournament works. The player with the most points at the end wins, and then come second place and third place. With 8 players, three rounds are enough to find a winner. Even if you lose in round one, you can still finish in the top 3.

Where you find one

Clubs, schools and libraries run tournaments for kids. Ask a grown-up who plays where the next one is. You can also check the notice board at school or at the library. A small event in one room counts, and so does a big event in a hall. Before you sign up, ask which section you will play in and how many players are in it.

Coach tips for podium day

Think about one game at a time, and stay calm when the games get exciting. If you miss the podium, play the next one, because it often takes a few tournaments. When Judit Polgar was nine, a reporter asked if she would be world champion. Her answer was: "I will try."

How you get the sticker

Show your grown-up or coach the final standings: the list of who finished where. The people who run the tournament often post it online, and a photo of the list works too. Your grown-up or coach checks it and hands you the sticker. If you have no club yet, your grown-up at home checks the standings. Did you stand on a podium before you had the passport? It still counts.