Print this page or save as PDF before your first tournament. It covers everything in one place.

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What to Bring

Required

• Chess clock (if the tournament requires players to provide one — check the announcement)
• USCF membership card or confirmation email
• Entry confirmation / registration email
• Pencil and spare pencil (for notation)
• Scoresheet pad (or use the tournament’s sheets)

Strongly Recommended

• Water bottle
• Light snack (granola bar, fruit, crackers)
• Sweater or light jacket — playing halls are often cold
• Phone fully charged (for emergencies — must be silenced and stored during play)
• Cash for registration adjustments, concessions, or snacks
• Comfortable walking shoes

Optional but Useful

• Headphones (for between rounds only)
• Small bag or backpack
• Extra scoresheet sheets
• Small chess set for post-game review between rounds

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Arrival Checklist

Complete these in order when you arrive:

• Find the registration table and check in
• Confirm your section (rating section you’re playing in)
• Get your player ID number if not already assigned
• Note where the playing hall is and where pairings are posted
• Locate the restrooms
• Find where parents should wait (usually outside the playing hall)
• Set your clock to the correct time control (ask a TD if unsure)
• Be in your seat before the round begins

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Before Each Round

• Check the pairings board — find your name and board number
• Go to the restroom before the round starts
• Take a drink of water
• Find your board and sit down early
• Set up the pieces if not already done (white on your right, king and queen on correct squares)
• Confirm the clock is set correctly
• Take a breath and focus

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Between Rounds

• Use the restroom
• Drink water and have a small snack
• Check the pairings for the next round (usually posted 10–15 minutes before)
• Take a short walk if you feel tense
• Do not replay the last game emotionally — brief review is fine, emotional replay is not
• Do not discuss your game with your opponent after the round if it upsets you
• Return to a calm, neutral state before the next game

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Parent Do’s and Don’ts

Do

• Wait outside the playing hall during rounds
• Have food and water ready during breaks
• Keep your tone calm after a loss
• Ask “how did the game go?” rather than analyzing moves
• Let your child decompress before talking about chess
• Be at the venue when rounds end — pick-up timing matters

Don’t

• Enter the playing area during a round
• Whisper coaching from the doorway
• Ask “did you win?” the moment they walk out
• Replay the losing moves with them immediately after
• Show frustration at the result
• Compare their result to other players in earshot

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	What to do instead
Touching a piece before deciding	Think first, touch second
Not saying “J’adoube” before adjusting pieces	Say it before you touch
Forgetting to press the clock	Press after every move
Offering a draw before making your move	Move first, then offer
Arguing with your opponent about a rule	Stop clock, raise hand, call TD
Running your clock down early	Watch your time from move one
Leaving without checking the next round pairing	Always check before leaving the hall
Parents coaching through the doorway	Parents wait outside — always

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Key Rules Reminders

Touch-move: If you touch a piece intending to move it, you must move it. Say “J’adoube” before touching if you’re adjusting.

Illegal move: If you make an illegal move (moving into check, etc.), stop the clock and call the TD. Do not just continue.

Clock: Press the clock with the same hand used to move the piece. Do not hover over the clock.

Draw: Make your move first, then offer a draw, then press the clock.

Time: If your opponent’s time runs out, you must claim it — it does not happen automatically.

Phone: Silent and out of sight during play. A ringing phone can cost you the game.

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Emergency Reference

Situation	Action
Rule dispute	Stop clock, raise hand, wait for TD
Opponent not at board when round starts	Wait — they may have up to the full time control to arrive
Can’t find your opponent	Check with TD
Accidental piece knock	Call TD before touching anything
Clock malfunction	Stop play, raise hand, call TD

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From Chess Tournament Guide — ChessTournamentGuide.com Scan the QR code on this page for the full digital version with links to every topic covered here.