OTB..Rules and Manners.

I've been playing chess now for about 10 months and would like to start playing OTB. Up until now I have only played online and its all I know. Reading a post below it got my gears turning so I figured I'd create a post to where other OTB rookies could learn and ask some questions about etiquette and rules OTB. In an online world ruined by trolls and ignorant people I find this to be important.....So I'll start with some questions, feel free to ask more.

What is up with these touching rules? I touch a piece I must move it?

What if I elbow a piece?

Can I get up and stretch my legs or do a jumping jack or two?

The infamous, should I say "check"?

I keep my phone on vibrate 24/7 but if I get a call can I check to see if it's an emergency? What if it is? Can I awnser?

Is it a rule to write or log our game moves? I ask because what if it's only a 30min game?

Should I use two hands to castle? To eliminate confusion in the lower ranks?

What if there's a error or discrepancy? Example, he/she made an illegal move, what do I do?

I'm very curious on silly rules an online only player might not know, like touch rules and example, I move a bishop on a long diagonal but overshoot a square, can I move it back one if my hands still on the piece? Stuff like that I am clueless about so any info would be great.

I think I started with a decent handful and more will come in the future. Any helpful responses would be great and appreciated by OTB noobs. And any other questions would be great. Thanks!

"What is up with these touching rules? I touch a piece I must move it?"   

correct.   and if you touch one of your opponent's pieces AND it is possible to capture it, you must !

"What if I elbow a piece?"

depends, if you do that accidently, it should not count.

"Can I get up and stretch my legs or do a jumping jack or two?"

sure, you can wander around all you like.   especially for longer games, many will use the bathroom.

"The infamous, should I say "check"?"

NO.   Let your opponent move.   If he does not get out of check, then you stop the clocks and inform him.   If he does not agree, you call a tournament director over.

"Is it a rule to write or log our game moves? I ask because what if it's only a 30min game?"

Yes, it is a rule to keep score of the game moves.   For very fast time limits, you do not.

"Should I use two hands to castle? To eliminate confusion in the lower ranks?"

No, touch your King first and move your King followed by the Rook

"What if there's a error or discrepancy? Example, he/she made an illegal move, what do I do?"

Same as I outlined above for when your opponent did not get out of check, ie; stop the clock, point out error to your opponent.   If he/she agrees, then reset the Board to when you gave check, and start your opponent's clock -- otherwise call the Tournament Director.

I am not sure about the rules on telephones, as I have not played OTB chess in many years.    I know you have to be careful about electronics, as there have been cheating incidents of people transmitting moves.    Best is leave your phone off all the time.    you can check your messages between games.

Good luck in your OTB adventures !   let us know how you do.

There is nothin more to explain! Nice HorsesGalore!

Under FIDE rules, you'll lose the game as soon as it is clear you have a mobile phone, even disconnected. Better forget about it for a few hours.

Regarding cell phones-just all of them will NOT let you have you cell phone with you- even if it is "off".

What to do with cell phone is normally Very clear, but if you have any questions see the guy in charge Before the games begin.

other differences with online chess include

• no jotting down notes to yourself about the position
• Being perfectly quiet- espacially once the tournament begins
• Arrive at the tournament Early
• Bringing a standard chess set and clock with you to tournaments
• Making sure you have joined your national federation- so they can properly place against other players and record your rating
• making sure your quietly leave the tournament hall before talking with and reviewing the game with your opponent (which is common in OTB chess)- they will almost certainly have another room and area set up for this
• Lastly, as an online chess player- you should really try to play much Longer games to prepare yourself.  normal time controls are Really LONG compared to blitz/standard games here. 

Good luck

Why worring so much , you will lose all of your games anyway if thats your real rating, have fun and enjoy, make friends and be nice,  etc. Or study first and improve before going unless you want to be dissapointed and be your first and last tournament like for many players. They go once, get crushed and never play chess anymore.

Chess manners may be affected by different federation rules, but here is what is generally true.

"What is up with these touching rules? I touch a piece I must move it?

What if I elbow a piece?"

Yes, unless it's by accident, which should be apparent to both players. The king being the tallest piece often gets knocked over. If on your turn a piece of yours or your opponent needs adjusting, you can annouce "adjust"/ j'doube and alter it.

"Can I get up and stretch my legs or do a jumping jack or two?"

That would constitute possibly putting opponent off. Of course subtle strething is fine.

"The infamous, should I say "check"?"

The higher level you play the more unacceptable this becomes. So unless you are playing a beginner, don't say it.

"I keep my phone on vibrate 24/7 but if I get a call can I check to see if it's an emergency? What if it is? Can I awnser?"

If you need to, you should inform your opponent. I think the phone rules are more lax in the USA. I would claim the game if a phone went off. In a tournament with prize money, there are very strict rules.

"Is it a rule to write or log our game moves? I ask because what if it's only a 30min game?"

In England moves don't have to be recorded for 30 minute games . In longer games this is usually relaxed with a player having less than five minutes left.

"Should I use two hands to castle? To eliminate confusion in the lower ranks?"

One hand to castle, and touch the king first !

"What if there's a error or discrepancy? Example, he/she made an illegal move, what do I do?"

That's a good question. Usually common sense is enough, but if the arbiters have to become involved, it will depend on the game format. Usually in rapid play in England it has recently become sufficient to forfeit the game if an illegal move is made.

"I'm very curious on silly rules an online only player might not know, like touch rules and example, I move a bishop on a long diagonal but overshoot a square, can I move it back one if my hands still on the piece"

Yes you can.

Actually you are only allowed to touch your opponents pieces in capturing them . If your opponents pieces need adjusting then you must ask him/her to adjust them while your clock is running ( you are on move ) . 

NM Reb says:

"If your opponents pieces need adjusting then you must ask him/her to adjust them while your clock is running ( you are on move ) . "

Really ?    Is that now in the rule book ?   That was never true in the 1970s thru 90s when I played competitive chess.    If my opponent's pieces were not placed properly on their square and were distracting me, then on my move ( with my clock running ), I would say j'adoube and adjust them.

I always preferred to avoid talking to my opponent during the game.   ( I would never think of asking him/her to adjust their own pieces )   I would never want to be accused of distracting him/her.    I kept my talking to a minimum, ie; to offer a Draw  ( if declined, then not offer a Draw again until after I declined his/her Draw offer ) , claim a Draw by 3 fold repetition, say J'adoube before adjusting pieces, or announce checkmate. Other than that, my talking during a game was virtually nill.

If he's playing in the United States most likely the tournament is not FIDE rated so he can bring a phone.  He'll have to turn it off though.  If it is a large tournament where are you suppose to put it?

Currently in France for FIDE tournaments, you're supposed not to have it with you or you lose the game (keep it at home, in the hotel or in your car ...).

In practice, people come with a bag with their phone inside, which is illegal, but you won't have any problems as long as the arbiter does not see it (so it stays in the bag).

The USCF rule book is 250+ pages.  Feel free to buy one.  If you're so obsessed.

It might be a bit much to jump into a competitive OTB tournament straight away - if you look up a local chess club and play some club games, you can learn some of their rules and maybe play in some of their local tournaments while learning their rules, and they would be able to help you prepare for a more serious tournament, if that's what you'd like to do

Americans..... :)

@chessam 1998:

leave it home - what if you have an emergency on the drive home?

Leave it at the hotel - phones have never been stolen at hotels (sarcasm)

Leave it in the car - phones have never been stolen from cars (sarcasm).

FIDE Rules in many respects are better however they are impractical for large amateur events.  Chess is supposed to be fun.

Please take into consideration that cheating has become a plague in chess tournaments. Any rule that reduces cheating probability may have some disadvantages but at least have a plus side.

Cheating hasn't been a plague.  A few clumsy idiots getting caught red-handed isn't a plague.  The solution to cheating is cheaters get banned for life from sanctioned play. No short suspensions, banned from sanctioned play for life.  I went to observe the Millionaire chess tournament in Las Vegas and had to go through a metal detector, get frisked, and give my phone to someone who was probably not insured for loss, then stand in line to get a wristband.  Needless to say spectators were few.  Come enjoy tournament chess, as much fun as going to the airport!

There may be different federation rules. I asked a senior arbiter at my club last night. He confirmed my view on this, but in the USA, the rules may be different. This goes beyond the informational needs of the OP, but never the less, interesting.

If I was playing (in the USA) and the adjustment of opponents pieces was not allowed, I would ask my opponent to adjust. If I needed to do it again I would raise my voice. This would start an escalation resulting in me shooting my opponent - respecting the not touch rule but availing myself of the right to bear arms.

Over and above rules, I really believe in good sportmanship and understanding of opponent. For example there is a player in my league with Parkinson's , who shakes etc when moving the pieces with occasonal accidents of knocking pieces over. We are mostly amateurs and for the most part observe the "do unto others " , good sportmanship and the spirit of fairplay.

Thanks for some great awnsers. Yes some of this is more than I need to know. I only posted because I plan on joining a club first and I simply do not want to be rude or a complete fool. I wanted to get some general ideas before I play my first OTB. And losing can be great if you learn from it guy on first page. I don't want to know every rule just want to get some very basic ideas on more manners than 250 page book on detailing how heavy to breathe. ANOTHER QUESTION, how and when should one offer a draw. I expect it won't be offen since I'm low rated noob and most games will be won and loss. And are stalemates even real?