General Information
Almost anyone who knows how to play chess can play in tournaments. The only additional requirements are knowing how to keep score and use a chess clock. Tournaments are run by a tournament director (TD). The TD enforces the rules, resolves disputes, and determines who plays who and what color each has. One other major difference from casual chess is that tournament chess is played using the touch move rule. This means that if you touch one of your pieces, you have to move it if a legal move can be made. If you touch one of your opponent's pieces, you have to capture it if possible.
The vast majority of chess tournaments are not knock-out events. Ina typical TCC event, each player will play 3 or 4 games. You get 1 point for a win, 1/2 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. As the tournament progresses, players with the same score play each other. This normally results in one player with no losses. The player with the highest score wins the event.
Because most players are very nervous while playing in their first event, I recommend you come to the TCC and play casual chess while practicing keeping score and using a clock. This will allow you to concentrate more on your chess when playing in your first tournament. It is also a good idea to become familiar with tournament rules before playing in your first event. The club TD holds occasional rules workshops and is happy to explain rules to anyone who asks.
It is not necessary for a beginning player to have chess equipment (set, board, and clock) to be able to play in a tournament. Most tournament players will bring equipment and the TD will have an extra set, board, and clock. Once you decide you enjoy and will continue playing tournament chess, you can purchase the equipment.
In most tournaments, each player is required to keep score. This is just writing down the moves of both players move by move, just as you would see a game in a book or when you play against a chess playing program. A small sample is shown below. One of our club members will be happy to help you learn and practice keeping score. Many beginner’s chessbooks teach score keeping.
White: John Smith
Black: Bill JonesWhite Black
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 d6
<CLICK HERE> to go to the USCF website for a printable/downloadable copy of complete Score Keeping directions. Chose the link "Keeping Score! How to write and read chess notation." This will download a PDF file which can be read by Adobe Acrobat, a free downloadable application for both Mac and Windows platforms.
Score keeping is not required for games rated in the quick system (G/10 - G/29)
A chess clock is two clocks in a case with 2 buttons on top. After you make your move, you press the button closest to you. This stops your clock and starts your opponent's clock. After your opponent makes his move, he presses his button which stops his clock and starts yours.
In tournament chess, the players are given an amount of time to play the game. For example, one time control used at the TCC is G/40 or game in 40 minutes. Each player has 40 minutes to play the entire game. This means that one game can take 80 minutes. The first player to use up the 40 minutes without checkmating or stalemating his opponent or agreeing to a draw loses the game.
Tournament Equipment