Tips for OTB

Hey everyone,

I am playing in a OTB tournament on 6/5. I need to know the rules of OTB (has studied the "Your First Tournament" series by GM Ben Finegold on chess.com lessons).

Any things I need to consider (e.g. touch move) for OTB?
Thanks.

Leon

Here's a list of things I thought of - I haven't watched that series, so idk how much you already know.

1) Touch-move exists, make sure you know where you're moving before you grab a piece.

2) Be familiar with notation, because notation is usually a requirement, and at the very least it's a good idea to write down your moves during the game. 

3) Know if you have to bring a board, pieces, and clock, or if those are provided for you.

4) If you want to offer a draw, do so after making your move, but before hitting the clock. That's the generally-accepted best etiquette. And speaking of the clock ...

5) REMEMBER TO HIT THE CLOCK. Seriously, I've seen even semi-experienced tournament players forget this on occasion. Your opponent has no obligation to remind you if you forgot to hit the clock, and could just let your time run out on their turn. Admittedly most players will be nice and remind you, but you still shouldn't be careless about it.

6) Have fun! I've always enjoyed OTB tournaments and I hope you do so too!

Everything Cracklion said is true but it is OK to offer a draw before you make your move. However, your opponent  may ask you to make your move before he decides your draw offer. 
Touch move is absolute. If you even whiff a piece with your finger you must move it. You should also write your move before you hit the clock. If you are in severe time trouble, you do not have to record your moves; if you have to play a certain number of moves to reach a time control (like 45 moves in 2 hours), then you should make slashes to record the number of moves made.

Tournament chess is very stressful. I hope you write a blog about your experience. Good luck.

Oh yeah and hit your clock. And if your opponent doesn’t hit his clock, don’t tell him. Tournament chess is war take no prisoners.

Great! Thanks!

Oh, what if my opponent decides to flag me like this:

1. I offer a draw, but does not press the clock.

2. My opponent waits until I have ten seconds left, and then says "no."

3. I get flagged.

You can just make a move, offer a draw before hiting the clock, and then use the clock without waiting for a reply 

Touch move is an important rule. If you touch a piece, move it. If you touch an opponent’s piece, you have to capture it if capturable.

You have to write down your and your opponent’s move in algebraic notation.

You should bring an extra clock and set.

And have fun!

(I have only been to one OTB scholastic tournament, so I might have left out some things).

Hit your clock immediately after offering the draw.  The opponent replies on their time, not yours.

Isn’t that bad sportsmanship?

Is this your first OTB? If so, you are already 2300 here, so you should do well! Tell us your results!

Correct. After you make your move, and you record it you may hit the clock. He doesn’t get to think on your time. Also, I don’t know if you will meet any one this slimy, but I used to know a guy who “offered a draw” by extending his hand during a game for a handshake. He only did this when he was dead lost and if you shook his hand, he would stop the clock and write 1/2-1/2 on the score sheet and act as if he had a legitimate draw.

ignore your opponent if he acts strange, he can tip the king or stop the clock to resign, otherwise just go for the jugular.

No it's not bad sportsmanship, it's just the standard rules, and standard practice in tournaments.  

Since it seems like there's a little confusion about draws:

1) Offer a draw on your turn. This isn't required but is good etiquette. If you offer on your opponent's turn then you're interfering with their time.

2) A draw offer extends from your turn until the end of your opponent's turn. If you offer a draw at the beginning of your turn, your opponent can say "Make your move and I'll consider it". This puts you at a disadvantage, because your opponent can accept the draw if you make a great move, or decline it if you blunder. 

So from these, the best process is to a) make a move, b) offer a draw, c) press the clock. You offer the draw on your time and don't disadvantage yourself in the process. Don't delay to press the clock - you contemplate the draw on your time, and your opponent does the same.

Thanks! Appreciate it.

I'll try my skills out in OTB. Hopefully I can be a NM (since it's only USCF rated).

going from unrated to titled is still really hard, getting to ~2400 on chess.com doesn't show that you are at that level...

     Good luck in your first OTB tournament. A few things you need to realize:

     The touch-move rule is not as draconian as some posters here say. If you are reaching to move a piece and accidently knock over a different piece, just say "J'adoube" (French for "I adjust") pick up the accidently-touched piece and then make the move you originally intended.

     You must keep an accurate scoresheet. Should you wish to claim a draw by triple-repetition (including perpetual check) or complain about your opponent's illegal move the Tournament Director can consider ONLY what you have written on your scoresheet when adjudicating your claim.

     To offer a draw, first make your move, then offer the draw and press your clock. Your opponent can take as long as he wants to decide if he wishes to accept the offer. He may simply make a move--this is a refusal of the draw offer.

     You will not get a NM rating after one tournament. You will be paired against other unrated or low-rated players. Do well and you'll get a decent provisional USCF rating that will get you into a higher class in your next tournament.

     I see that you have played almost exclusively blitz and bullet games on chess.com. OTB play is very different. Opening traps and risky tactical forays are much less likely to succeed when your opponent has enough time to analyze the position. You should also take time to calculate more thoroughly and check your opponent's possible replies before making your move. There is no prize for having most of your time left at the end of the game.

     Be courteous, be quiet, ask your opponent to go over the game afterwards (you can learn a lot from a different view of what was going on in the game). Hope you will enjoy the experience.

try to solve many tactics as u can before

You are supposed to make your move, hit the clock, and then offer a draw immediately after that.

Great. Thanks!

#17

"I see that you have played almost exclusively blitz and bullet games on chess.com"

That is a huge difference. All the cheap tricks and flagging will not work at all.