Chess Tournaments
What you need to know to enter and win.
Intro to Chess Tournaments:
Chess has gotten you involved: you’re eager to see where your play can go, and test your ideas against like-minded individuals. If you’re wishing to take your chess to the next level like this, then entering into a tournament is a fantastic way to go.
What are Tournaments?
Tournaments provide that space where you and others interested in chess can duke it out: here’s your time when your interest in the game can unite you with other players in an atmosphere fully chess.
No need to fear
But don’t worry: tournaments aren’t just for reserved for chess grandmasters, and indeed, quite the opposite. All too often, the words “tournaments” and “competition” can often be misunderstood. With chess, it’s important to realize that “tournaments” are simply a way that you and other chess players can connect face-to-face, play in a more formal setting, and together keep track of your progress.
So, if you have any inkling whatsoever to play the game with other chess enthusiasts, then by all means, join a tournament! These are events designed for you to have fun, and should therefore be a point of eagerness and excitement. They represent both a culmination of what you have learned and enjoy to try, and a starting point for the possibilities of your chess growth.
To reiterate: by no means is the chess tournament something restricted to professionals. Rather, they’re spaces for you to convene and have fun with others over the board in real-time.
Tips Before Going?
When entering a tournament, there are some conventions and logistics to be mindful of. But again, no worries: once you have these down, you’ll see how these only enhance your chess experience.
What to know before game day:
In coming to a tournament, there are a few things that you should be knowledgeable of and/or bring on game day. Here, we’ll tell you what you need to know, and give you the resources you need to make sure you’re ready.
The to-do List for a chess tournament:
- Learn Chess Notation
- Bring a Scorebook + Pencil/Pen
- Bring a Clock and Know the Clock Rules
- Bring a Chess Board + Pieces
…and that’s it! The first two of these are a must; the third, in regards to whether to bring a clock, depends on the tournament, so make sure to check with the particular event; and the fourth is generally optional, and for your own edification.
Explaining the List:
In a tournament setting, you will generally be sitting at a table with other chess players in a row of chess boards, and will be playing in timed formats. In addition, to keep things fair, both players must record both their own moves and that of their opponent’s. This helps prevent any potential changing of history by a wanting opponent.
Now for the above List:
1. Learn Chess Notation:
One of the great things about chess is that we have a notation to write it down. In other words, entire games can be recorded on a piece of paper by writing notational representations of each move. In this way, chess really is like a language, and once you learn it’s code, you’ll see how fast and easy it is to communicate in chess. We describe chess notation on a later page here.
2. Bring a Scorebook + Pencil/Pen:
For this, you actually have some options. As mentioned above, in a tournament game, both you and your opponent are expected to record all moves made. Now, there are two ways to accomplish this:
1. Writing the Moves on Paper
2. Using a MonRoi (or similar device)
The first of these is essentially what we mean by bring a scorebook and a pencil or pen, and is generally how games are recorded. The scorebook provides you the space to write down each move (in chess notation), the time various moves were made (more on that below), and other side notes to yourself. It is the standard way by which players keep track of a game.
If, however, you’re just starting out chess, or otherwise prefer to record games electronically, then consider a digital recording device, the primary of which has often been the MonRoi, a tournament-approved device for keeping track of your games. On the MonRoi or similar, you essentially have a digitized version of a chess board, and note moves by literally dragging the pieces about as you would for real.
(You can check out more about MonRoi here and here, and can see a listing of which such products are allowed for recording moves in chess tournaments here. For standard scorebooks, Amazon or another seller, such as House of Stockton (described in more detail below), are great resources).
3. Bring a Clock and Know the Clock Rules:
As you get into formal chess, you will play in certain time formats (which we describe here). This is simply so that the organizers of an event can guarantee that your game will end within a reasonable period; and as time goes on, you will often find that these time limits can themselves become an exciting, or at least strategic, aspect of the game.
As a result, official tournaments will have you play with a chess “clock,” which is essentially two clocks in one device that count-down, each with a button above them. Each of the two clock faces or digital read outs records the time remaining for that player it is for, respectively.
Here’s how the clock and it’s rules work:
When in a tournament itself, the clock is then placed such that it sits roughly in the center of the table, facing the chess board, with the face or readout nearest you being that which denotes how much time you have in total for making your remaining moves. Each given time format will start both players off with its given amount of total time for that player.
The clock begins with the same amount of time for either player, as specified by the time format. Additionally, only one of the two readouts of the clock should count-down at a time.
Now, since the player with the white pieces moves first, their clock (really, side of the clock) is the one that counts down first. Once they have made their move, they then have to push the button on the top of the clock over their readout or face of it to transition the counting-down to the other player. When the other player then makes their move, they hit the button on their side of the clock, and so play continues.
It is key to note that when a player “hits the clock” (i.e., pushes down the button on their side of it at the termination of their turn), that they must do so with the same hand with which they made their move. This rule is especially important to keep in mind, for there can be consequences for breaking it (especially if one does so multiple times). The idea is to keep players from simply hovering one hand over their button while using the other to make moves, which is particularly important in shorter time formats where time is of the essence.
Once you’ve got that down, though, you’re set. Just remember to always end your turn by hitting the clock with the proper hand.
Now, in general, it’s a good idea to bring your own chess clock to the tournament; and oftentimes, this may even be required. So, as part of your “tournament kit” of things to bring, always have a clock handy (and potentially spare batteries).
We describe a sample of where you can get chess clocks and other gear further below.
4. Bring a chess board and pieces:
This point is really more for your own benefit, as most chess tournaments will provide their own board and pieces. It is especially useful, however, to have your own tournament-styled board and set, such as to practice with when you travel or otherwise try things out before an event starts, or to even play at home with. All-around, without a set, it’s kind of difficult to play chess, so it’s a good idea to have one.
Now in the chess world, there are generally two types of sets: those that are intended for actual play and use, and those that meant to be stylized for appearance. If you are considering getting a board and pieces, and especially if you plan on playing in tournaments, then purchasing a more traditional, standard set is the general way to go. (Indeed, fancier boards may even confuse the players as to which pieces are which, and may very likely not be allowed for tournament use). Further along this point, when purchasing a set, you likely will want to get one with a fabric board that can be rolled up (as these are used in tournaments and are simply more transportable), and which has the rank and file labels (i.e., the numbers and letters on the side of the board).
As promised earlier, and now given here, one great resource for getting chess gear is the House of Staunton (link here), which offers bundles that include a clock, pieces, board, and bag for keeping it all together. There are of course, however, numerous other providers and sellers.
Summarizing: The Tournament To-Do List
Even if you decide to use a digital device to record your games, knowing how to read chess notation is an extremely useful skill. We chess notation, and in particular, the Algebraic form, here.
Make sure to have some way to record your games. This can be either an earlier mentioned approved device, or the good old scorebook and writing utensil.
Even if you don’t have to bring your own clock to a tournament (which you often will), make sure you know the clock rules. In particular, recall that you must punch the time with the same hand you use to make a move!
You may not have time to use this during a tournament, but it’s still an excellent idea to get a tournament-standard chess set for yourself. They are easy to transport, useful to have on game day, and comfortable to use at home.