What to Expect at a Tournament

Welcome to Your First WSCF Chess Tournament!

Dear Chess Players, Families, Club Leaders, and Coaches,

We’re excited to have you join us for your first chess tournament! Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to competitive chess, this guide will help you understand some important procedures and rules to help make your experience enjoyable and successful.

Before the Tournament

Register online

Visit www.wisconsinscholasticchess.org and find your event and complete the registration form.
Some events require online payment.

Arrival and Check-In

Arrive at the venue approximately 30-60 minutes before the start time to check in.
Find the registration desk where you’ll confirm your registration information and pay your entry fee. Exact change is appreciated.
Volunteers will let you know where the skittles / waiting area and playing rooms are located.

Dress Comfortably

Wear comfortable clothing. We recommend layers.
Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. (Most tournament hosts sell simple concessions throughout the day.)

Tournament Rules and Procedures

Check your Game Setup

Make sure your chess board is set correctly with the white square on your right.
Ensure the pieces are correctly placed: rooks in the corners, knights next to them, bishops beside knights, queen on her own color, and king on the remaining square.

Know your Time Control

Each game in a WSCF tournament lasts 1 hour. Each player has 30 minutes to make their moves.
If a player wishes to use a clock, they may bring their own to the tournament. If your opponent brings a clock to your game, you are required to use it.

Touch-Move Rule

If you touch a piece, you must move it if legally possible.
If you touch an opponent’s piece, you must capture it if legally possible.

Recording Moves

You may want to write down your moves. This is called notation.
Notation is not required
It helps in case there is a dispute or for reviewing your game later.

Behavior and Chess Etiquette

Be respectful to your opponent and their time.
Avoid talking during the game or making distracting noises.
If you need to leave the game area (for example, to use the bathroom), ask for permission and return as quickly as possible.

Winning and Drawing

A game ends when a player checkmates the opponent’s king, forces a resignation, or if a draw is agreed upon by both players.
There are also other ways a game can end in a draw, such as stalemate, threefold repetition, or insufficient material.

During the Tournament

Listen for Pairings

Pay attention to the announcement of pairings and game start times. Most locations do not have PAs, so you should watch for an announcement in the skittles/waiting area or notice when many students seem to be moving out of the area.
Keep an eye on the tournament schedule and make sure you’re on time for each round.

Check Standings

After Round 2, check the standings. They’ll be posted in a common area after Round 3 games get underway.
If you notice any of your information or scoring is incorrect or needs to be investigated, complete a Tournament Action Form and submit it to chess control or the Tournament Director.
Individual and team standings will be posted after Rounds 2, 3, and 4.

Handling Disputes

If you have any issues or questions, raise them calmly with the floor director or tournament director.
They are there to help and make sure everything runs smoothly.

Stay Positive!

Remember that the tournament is a learning experience. Win or lose, every game is an opportunity to improve.
Cheer on your fellow players and enjoy the camaraderie.

After the Tournament

Review Your Games

After your games, take some time to review them. This is a great way to learn and improve.
Discuss your games with a coach or mentor to gain insights.
If you are new to or learning notation, keep practicing with your home and club games.

Check Your Results

Final tournament results and updated ratings will be posted to the WSCF website following the tournament. Depending on the time of year it may take 3-10 business days.
Visit www.wisconsinscholasticchess.org and click ‘Past Results’