What really matters when choosing a chess tournament

Intro

This post dives into key factors that go beyond the obvious when selecting an OTB tournament to play. If you are a professional chess player who derives their sole income from playing, this guide might be of less value to you. At the other end of the spectrum, if you are an amateur who hasn't played OTB events yet, this can offer insight into how experienced players approach tournament selection. Who knows, maybe you'll incorporate some of these when you are finally ready to play.

On the run, and don't want to read the entire thing now? Check the table at the end!

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Closeness to major transportation hub

This is an important factor if you travel abroad for tournaments. For example, when I was invited to play tournaments in Spain, I always checked the closest airport and whether there were direct flights available from my location. If there was another long bus or train ride after the flight, I would simply skip the event and quote logistical difficulties.

It is entirely reasonable to set boundaries on travel time, as chess is already a draining activity. Preferably, you are well-rested and ready to perform from the beginning of the competition, not tired after changing two flights and a train to get to your room. If you can simplify the logistics and minimize the stress associated with your participation in the event, you are ready to battle from Day 1!

If you prefer to travel by train, be mindful of the timetables. For fans of overnight train travel, let me recommend sleeper cars, as they are way more comfortable than sitting.

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Prize structure

This is a double-edged sword. If money prizes are the chief motivator, then you have already graduated from the level of a hobby player to tournament grinder. While chess is a costly hobby for the average club player, there are certain players who have a knack for turning it into a lucrative side venture. Then of course, there are the so-called "sandbaggers" (players who artificially maintain their rating hundreds of points below their playing strength). Their presence in tournaments can sometimes ruin the fun, especially if they are known to the rest of the audience. Some organizers now ban repeat winners from "Under..." prizes to curb this.

So let’s be honest—unless you're gunning for norms or traveling full-time, money shouldn’t be your only motivator for playing chess. However, if all other factors are kept equal, it makes sense to prioritize attending tournaments that have bigger sponsors. If you do qualify for a prize, you'd be well justified to prefer the larger wallet. As an aside, I've never understood why tournaments like Tata Steel give such low prizes in the amateur sections, whereas Sasomi Open U2200 in Romania pays prizes in excess of 18,000 Euros.

Pro tip: If money is indeed a big motivator in your chess journey, look for the ratio of prize money to total costs you are incurring for participation. Then, also factor in the percentage of prizes given, relative to the total signups. An example of an attractive tournament for amateur grinders would be the Benidorm Open in Spain.

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Time control

In my opinion, this might be an underrated factor that isn't accounted for as often as it should be.

Some key considerations:

• Base time = time for the full game, or time allotted for the first X moves (X = 30 or 40)
• Added time = time added to the base time after completing the first X moves
• Increment = amount of time gained per move

With recent conversations surrounding the time control employed in Norway Chess 2025 (+10 seconds per move instead of the customary +30 sec in FIDE-sanctioned classical chess), it is important to remind all players that FIDE has quite relaxed requirements on time controls. Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of the player to sign up for tournaments that use a favorable time control. So, next time you are considering a tournament, read the regulation sheet closely and make sure that it's a time control you enjoy playing.

Example: GM Giga Quparadze, a notorious speed demon even in classical chess, benefits the most by playing 90 min + 30 sec. He would be hurt by the addition of a time control at move 40, as he doesn't need the time, whereas the opponents will find it extremely beneficial.

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Double rounds

Most chess professionals have long graduated from such events, but for the rest of us amateurs they are a painful reminder that playing chess is not always pure bliss. A combination of increasing rent at event halls worldwide and organizers wanting to make it attractive for professional workers has led to an explosion in the "weekender format" where you squeeze the schedule tightly and pack as many double rounds as possible.

Personally, for me this is the biggest red flag, especially if I want to explore the location and have ample time for meals and hangouts. Double rounds can syphon energy away and turn even the fittest of participants into tired ones. The worst type of double round is where your lunchtime is basically vaporized by the schedule itself, so you are left scrambling between the morning and afternoon rounds. Moreover, if you are traveling with a significant other, be mindful of the presence of double rounds in the schedule. You can chalk it up as a "lost day" ahead of time to minimize any future discussions about not spending time together.

On the flipside, you can prioritize playing shorter events that pack the schedule more tightly if you have a demanding job or limited days off, or if you're trying to fit within a budget. Additionally, if you are a fast player who rarely gets into time trouble, a heavy schedule with multiple double rounds might prove advantageous to you over the long run.

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Total costs incurred

Unless you are sponsored by your club or other generous donors, playing chess is generally something you have to budget for ahead of time.

Things you should factor in:

• travel expenses (airfare, train, bus, etc)
• lodging
• food and drinks
• entry and licensing fees

Ok, this part should be pretty self-explanatory, no hard math is required. Each player should ideally be aware of their financial constraints and not stretch beyond their means. The last thing you want is to go into debt because you can't control your OTB chess addiction.

Some tips and tricks I can offer for making your life easier:

• Always use a VPN when trying to book flights! Their dynamic pricing algorithm usually preys on multiple searches from the same IP location, so it pays off to scatter your searches from across the globe.
• Avoid AirBnB - in my opinion, their product hasn't been worth it lately, and they also charge outrageous fees on top
• Avoid the official hotel (if allowed by the organizer), assuming you can find better deals in the area. A little research goes a long way—don’t skip it! My preferred platform is Booking, but your mileage may vary.
• Look for restaurants near the venue that offer lunch specials or similar deals
• Meal prep! If the schedule allows for it, this can be a big cost saver compared to restaurants

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Traveling in a group/with friends

As the name implies, if you are an outgoing person, you might enjoy traveling with someone you know, or planning to meet up with people living near the location of your tournaments.

To give a concrete example, I attended the Stockerau Open in Austria this year with my friends Jeffforever and Akjett. It would never register as the type of event that I would attend by myself, so I was extremely thankful for the original invitation and company during the tournament. Traveling with friends can boost your mood, reduce stress, and even help you find a great local beer. Victories can taste sweeter if you have people rooting for your success, and defeats can be less bitter if you have someone to vent your anger to.

Good vibes all around in this tournament, with Jens (in the middle) tying for 1st place, and yours truly gaining a healthy 22 Elo points in Austria.

For me, the pandemic represented a big shift in mentality. Whereas I hardly traveled in groups to chess tournaments before 2020 and behaved more like a lone wolf, I have found it remarkably enjoyable to see new places and spend time with similarly-minded people post-2021. I would have to credit online platforms such as Twitch and Discord for introducing me to plenty of interesting people over the years.

Here's one thing to avoid, from painful personal experience. Unless you know and trust the other person, don't accept organizers offering to "match up" roommates. It has been a disastrous experience for me, with multiple issues in the past. I would rather incur the extra cost of paying for a single room for myself.

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Tournament reputation

We all want to be treated like dignified players, no matter our Elo range or aspirations in chess. For that reason, it pays off to consider the reputation of any tournament you are planning to attend. Here are some key questions that could be part of your background research:

1. Has the tournament been going on for several consecutive editions? If not, what do you know about the organizer? An honest and respected organizer who is starting up a new series of tournaments should be preferred to someone well established, but with known issues in the past.
2. Do you know anyone in your immediate circle who has played there and can offer a first-hand account? This should be your first stop when scouting tournaments. Don't be shy to approach people and ask for their honest feedback.
3. How's the playing hall (well ventilated, A/C on during summer months in warm climates should be non-negotiable for most reasonable humans)? If the playing hall is too crowded, or kept at an unreasonable temperature, that should deter participants.
4. Tournament composition - the presence of titled players is an added bonus for norm seekers. For club level players, it would be nice to scan the list for potential "dangerous opponents", especially those from regions where players tend to be underrated due to rating system quirks. For a deeper dive into FIDE ratings, read my research article.

An honorable mention for the most professional tournament I have attended in the past 4 years goes to the organizers of the Teplice Open in Czechia. I played there in 2023 and was fascinated by their adherence to the posted timetable and general professional treatment of all players. I would return with great excitement there, if my schedule allowed.

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Conclusion, Odds & Ends

Here's a neat summary to help you visualize what we have discussed so far:

So, whether you're a lone wolf or part of a chess squad, planning smartly can make all the difference. Hopefully this guide helped shine some light on the unseen parts of tournament prep. This article has been a work in progress since March of this year, but other priorities have taken hold in the meantime. With support from readers like you, I can continue bringing untold stories from the chess world to life. Got tips of your own? Drop them in the comments!

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