What to Expect at Scholastic Chess Tournaments

It has been 10 years since my first chess tournament. I was finishing the 8th grade and puffed up after beating what I thought was a strong chess program my dad had on his computer. I signed up for my first tournament and was ready to dominate the my unaware competition. While I did win my first 5 games, everything came crashing down when facing the top kid in the final round. I was hungry, I hadn’t eaten since lunch 3 hours ago (how did I get so hungry so fast?). I played valiantly and I was hanging on by a thread when the tournament director gave us a clock.

I knew what a clock was, but this was an analog clock! I couldn’t tell the time on an analog clock, quickly panicked when I thought my clock was low, made a technical error by moving the pieces with a different hand than I hit the clock with, and was disqualified (after many warnings), causing me to finish in 2nd.

I ran to the bathroom and cried alone. It was a tough first loss, a game I thought I could win; yet, I was hooked!! I had to go back, get a rating, climb the ladder, and win a tournament. Looking back after 3 state championships, dozens of tournament wins, and an “expert” rating, I know that if I was better prepared for that day, I might could have won!

Here is how you can be better prepared than I!

2+ Weeks Before the Event

• Know the Types of Tournaments:
  • Scholastic tournaments are for kids only. Sections are typically split by grade or rating.
  • Open, reserve, amateur tournaments are open to adults and kids and are typically split by rating.
  • Rated vs. Non-Rated is a factor to consider. Rated sections are governed by the rules of the US Chess Federation and require a USCF membership and game notation to be kept. Non-Rated sections are typically more suited to beginners and kids who “just want to try out” tournaments. The main downsides to non-rated sections are they have fewer and smaller awards and there is no way to track your progress over time.
• Search for upcoming events:
  • Check for emails/flyers from your local chess organization, such as from your local club, chess coach, and while at other tournaments.
  • Rasberry Chess Academy keeps and up-to-date calendar of all upcoming chess tournaments in Alabama: rasberrychess.com/upcoming-tournaments  
  • Other State Associations have websites where you can find events in other states. Best practice is just to google the state or city name followed by “chess.”

• Check Dates/Memberships:
  • Some tournaments do not allow for onsite registration and most have a discount for early-bird registrations. Make sure to know the deadlines!!
  • Rated tournaments require USCF memberships and cost $20: https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess
  • Alabama State Championships require ACF memberships and cost $15: https://alabamachess.org/sign-up/

The Morning of the Tournament – What to Pack

• What to pack:
  • Bring Snacks!! The brain uses the most energy of any organ, so your kids should eat a light snack between each round.
  • Bring a board/clock. Between rounds there is downtime, so pulling out a board to play/review the previous game can be helpful and fun!
  • Bring a ball. Sometimes tournaments will have designated areas outside for kids to play. Kicking the soccer ball or throwing the frisbee could make for a fun time for the kids.
  • You are a person too! Bring plenty for you to do . Time will pass quickly if you have your laptop (don’t forget chargers!!) or a book.
    • Typically tournaments have Wi-Fi (confirm beforehand to not be disappointed).
• Arrive Early:
  • Tournaments are often located in large buildings or complexes so you will need to find where in the building to go.
  • If you haven’t paid, you’ll need to find the director, pay, and make sure all is set up properly for your child.
  • Relax. Once you are settled in, you and your child can relax before the player’s meeting or the first round.

Shake Hands, Good Luck, you may Begin!

• General Players’ Rules:
  • Touch move. If you touch a piece you have to move it; if you touch an opponent’s piece, you have to take it.
  • Cell phones. All phones should be removed from the player. A phone on the person, even if off, could be considered cheating. Leave the phone with the parents or in the car.
  • Talking. No talking is allowed in the playing hall.
  • Harassment. If your child ever feels they are being harassed, call over the tournament director.
  • Illegal moves. If you or your opponent discover an illegal move was played, pause the clock and call over the tournament director.
  • When the game is finished players must not reset the board, raise their hands to call over a tournament director, and ensure their game has been scored.
  • Bathroom/leaving boards. Players are allowed to go to the bathroom ONLY on their opponent’s move. When players leave the hall they should return in a timely manner.
  • Assistance. No outside assistance is allowed. Parents, friends, spectators may not comment on the position to the players. Use of phones, books, other electronic devices is prohibited during the game AND during bathroom runs.
• From one round’s end to another’s beginning.
  • Once players leave the tournament hall, they should return to their guardian to relate that they have finished.
  • Skittles. The parent’s waiting room is referred to as the “skittles” room and generally, snacks can be eaten there and kids can play with each other or with their own boards during downtime.
  • Players are allowed to leave the premises at anytime between rounds, but it is your responsibility to make sure the player is back by the start of the next round.
  • At the start of the next round, kids will be called into the playing hall. If the round starts without the player present, the opponent will start the clock, and when the time runs out, the player forfeits.

Looking Back at it All

• Tournament Departure
  • If leaving early, please tell the tournament director you have to leave so that he doesn’t re-pair your child for the next round.
  • Don’t forget about awards!! Awards will be given out as soon as possible after the final round ends. If your kid expects to win a trophy, you should stick around for the ceremony.
    • If you have to leave, tell the tournament director so you and he can make arrangements.
  • Clean up after yourself and don’t forget your things. You’ve been in your spot for a long time and things easily get scattered. Make sure you have everything (and everyone!!) when heading out.
• After the event
  • Check for an email from the tournament director with the final standings. These also could be posted online depending on the director.
  • If the event was USCF rated, typically reports will be posted within a day or two here: new.uschess.org/player-search
  • If the games were written down, have your child review them (maybe with a coach!) to see what they feel like they did right and wrong. The best way to improve, outside of tournaments, is through reviewing your games. Don’t make the same mistake twice!!

I hope this helps!

Jonathan Rasberry

Rasberry Chess Academy

www.rasberrychess.com