Scholastic Chess Etiquette

I start this because I've been teaching young players lately and find I have to stress common courtesy and etiquette. I'd like to have a list of 25 or 50 items that would be considered chess  etiquette. i.e.

1. Shake hands before the beginning of a game.

2. Do not sneeze on the chess board. 

etc.

At what age does it become important to deliver a firm, solid handshake?

Good point Dowdy. I'm just now introducing the clock to some students!

I run a club at my school. I have 3 rules, and they are very simple:

1. Respect your coach
2. Respect your opponent (and anyone else present)
3. Respect the Equipment (including the space we're playing in)

When I introduce the rules I ask for example of respect and disrespect in each of the 3 contexts, and provide my own from past experience and hypotheticals. They agree to follow the rules and sign a form with the rules on them.

When a player is breaking  a rule I remind them of the rule once, politely but firmly. If they persist, they are asked to leave. A bad offense gets a suspension, one week or more depending on the offense.

Umm maybe resign when your down a small army worth of pieces?!?

Constantly mumbling and talking while think about your move is kinda annoying.

Also, slamming a piece down hard (obviously because you don't like having to move it there) is bad form. Plus, it tips off your opponent that you don't care for the move you just made.

Well said!

I TD'd many scholastic tournaments.  In addition to your first two points:

1.  No talking except "good luck" and :good game" at the start and finish.  Virtually everything else should be with the TD.

2.  Silence.
3.  Do not pick up the piece and wave it around for 5 minutes as you decide where to put it.  It is too easy to forget where the piece came from and make an illegal move.

4.  Silence.
5.  Pieces can be put down gently and clocks take less than 50 lbs of pressure to stop.  Don't try to drive them through the table on every move (Watch "Searching for Bobby Fischer" and you'll know exactly what I mean.)

6.  Silence.
7.  If the players have brought their own clock, ensure the beeps are turned off.
8.  If it is found that the play has continued into an illegal position (ie:  both players in check) notify the TD.
9.  Parents to remain outside the playing area.

10.  Silence.
11.  If moves are not being recorded, in lone K vs KQ or KR etc.. positions, if the winning player does not demonstrate progress towards check mate the game should be declared a draw.
12.  No eating in the playing hall, especially chips.

13.  Silence.
14.  No tapping, drumming, humming, bottle flips, spinning......
15.  No post game analysis in the playing area while games are on-going.

16 - 25.  Silence.

What about the 50 move rule? 

Dont get into a fight with your opponent after the game. He checkmated you so technically you ARE dead!

Just a thought - while you might want to have a 25-50 item list for yourself, the list you present to the kids should be much shorter, something like 3-5 items you judge most important. No kid is going to memorize a list of 50 points of etiquette.

1. Argue about the touch move rule repeatedly.

2. Promote at least five pawns to queens before delivering checkmate.

3. Kick your opponent under the table.

4. Emphasise the brilliance of your move by triumphantly slamming the piece down onto its square.

5. Never, EVER, even think about resetting the pieces after your game. This is extremely bad manners.

Failure to meet these standards is totally unacceptable and makes you completely unsuited to the world of kiddies chess. Go and play with those boring grown-ups instead, dork.