How to prepare for a Scholastic Chess Tournament

I'm often invited to assist/work at local scholastic chess tournaments as an 'aide'. These are just my observations and recommendations to help prepare for a scholastic chess tournament:

1. KNOW AND REVIEW THE RULES OF CHESS

Review the rules of chess. The most important being: Rule 10B-Touch-move, Rule 20A-Conduct of players, Rule 20G-Annoying behavior prohibited, Rule 14F-50 move rule, Rule 14C-Triple occurrence of a position aka 3-fold repetition: if the same ‘position’ is repeated at least 3 times, and no progress is made, either player can claim a draw. The 3 positions do not need to be consecutive. You must keep chess notation/scoring to prove this rule however. Rule 10I2-Rook touched first in castling. If your opponent moves the rook first when castling, they must move the rook. If they don’t, raise your hand for an aide/arbiter to come and tell them. If your opponent denies they moved their rook first, it’s their word against yours and the arbiter will most likely allow the castle. Rule 12F-Announcing check: announcing check is not required. However, if you don’t announce check, and your opponent makes any move other than to get out of check, you need to tell them, “That’s an illegal move, you’re still in check”. Rule 13B-Resignation: the offer of a handshake is not necessarily a resignation. Some players may think the handshake offer is a draw offer. To resign, either say, "I resign" or tip your king over on the chess board. Rule 14B5-Repeated draw offers: repeated draw offers may be construed as annoying the opponent and penalties are possible (during tournaments). Rule 16C1- Using the clock: this rule is directed towards tournament players that use clocks when they play. Each player must operate the clock with the same hand that they move the pieces. These are just some of the most important rules of chess. You may want to look at all the rules. Here’s a link to the USCF Rules of Chess: https://new.uschess.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/us-chess-rule-book-online-only-edition-chapters-1-2-10-11-9-1-20.pdf

One important note regarding the rules, and this is, if/when your opponent breaks a rule, make them aware of it. For example, if your opponent touches a piece but doesn't move it, tell them, the rule says if you touch a piece, you must move it. If they tell you they didn't touch it, or that they don't have to move it, or continue to do it, raise your hand and tell an Aide or Arbiter. Unfortunately, in most cases, it's your word against your opponent's word and there is nothing an Aide or Arbiter can do, if they deny it, but to tell your opponent about the rule. But, I promise you the Aide or Arbiter will be keeping an eye on their game and if it happens again there could be a penalty imposed. My point here is to make an Aide or Arbiter aware if/when a rule is broken. It's too late if you wait to tell an Aide, Arbiter or TD after the game. Nothing can usually be done at this point. Unfortunately, someone that brings a rule violation to an Aides or Arbiters attention, usually has to show 'proof' that the rule was broken. For example, if you want to claim a draw by 3-fold repetition, and your opponent objects, you're going to have to show proof on your score sheet. If you're not keeping score (chess notation), it's just your word against your opponent's word, and the Aide or Arbiter will most likely let the game continue- draw request denied. Similarly, if a rook is touched first, instead of the king, during castling, it's just your word against your opponent's, unless there is a witness. So, keep this in mind!

2. KNOW YOUR OPENINGS

Keep it simple with your Openings! You want to stick with your favorite Opening for White, whether it’s an e-file Opening such as the Italian Opening, a d-file Opening such as the London System, or the less common Nf3 Openings such as the Reti or King’s Indian Attack.For Black, you want a counter e-file Opening to White such as: King’s Knight, Sicilian or Caro-Kann Defense, a counter d-file Opening to White such as: King’s Indian Defense or Grunfeld Defense and a counter Nf3 Opening to White such as: King’s Indian Defense.

When I say, “Know your Openings”, that doesn’t mean to “memorize your Openings”, it means to “Learn your Openings”. Know why you’re making the moves you are in your Openings. You can learn and practice your Openings with Lichess.org: https://lichess.org/opening If you want more information on a particular Opening you can always, for example, Google/Chat GPT: “What is the goal or objective of the Italian Opening”.

By the way, you don’t learn Openings the days before your Tournament. Openings take weeks if not months of playing before a player really “learns/understands” them. Some more complex Openings, like the Sicilian Defense, can take up to a year to learn. That’s playing at least once daily too. If you don’t have time to learn an Opening before your first tournament, I recommend you become familiar with either the London System or King’s Indian Attack Opening if you’re playing the White pieces. These are known as “set-up based” Openings where it really doesn’t matter a whole heck of a lot how your opponent replies/responds with their Black pieces. They are easy to remember because of their unique position they create during the Opening. e.g. the London System creates a “pawn pyramid” and the King’s Indian Attack fianchetto’s the bishop.

Regardless of what Opening you play, remember the 3 objectives of the Opening which are:

1. Control the Center- get your d-file or e-file pawn (or both) into the center of the board.
2. Develop your pieces- develop knights before your bishops! Don’t move the same piece twice. And, make sure your pieces are active and safe.
3. Safeguard your king by castling- once castled, connect your rooks if possible.

Be aware of the common traps associated with your Openings. If you don’t know them, again just Google or ChatGPT, for example: “What are the most Common Chess Traps associated with the Italian Opening?” Chess traps are intended to trick you into making bad moves. You don't want to fall victim.

In addition to common traps, it's good to know how to reply to unorthodox or irregular Openings. For example, if you normally play 1. e4 for white, know how to reply to 1...f5 (Duras Gambit), 1...Nf6 (Alekhine's Defense), etc. Likewise if you normally play 1. d4 for white, know how to reply to 1...e5 (Englund Gambit), 1...c5 (Benoni Defense), etc.

Lastly, know how to defend against the Scholar’s Mate if you’re playing the black pieces. There’s a good chance you’re going to have someone play it against you on Tournament Day. I see it being played all the time during Scholastic Tournaments.

3. KNOW AND PRACTICE YOUR MIDDLEGAME TACTICS

You can learn and practice Middle Game Tactics on Lichess.org: https://lichess.org/practice They include: Pins, Skewers, Forks, etc. Tactics in chess are short-term, forced sequences of moves that lead to a concrete gain, such as winning material, delivering checkmate, or achieving a decisive advantage. Tactics usually involve Checks, Captures and Threats (CCTs) that force the opponent into a bad position. CCTs are also called Checks, Captures and Attacks (CCAs). CCT is a simple but powerful calculation method used to find the best move in a position. It helps player’s spot tactical opportunities and avoid blunders. I can’t emphasize how important CCT is, especially for beginner to intermediate chess players. When I walk around the tournament room, I'm amazed at how many boards have 'hanging' pieces (that are undefended) and ripe for the taking. Both players are usually unaware.

4. KNOW YOUR ENDGAMES

You should know how to checkmate your opponent with the “Ladder Mate” (King + 2 Rooks vs. King), King + Queen vs. King, King + Rook vs. King (more advanced), King + Pawn vs. Pawn (more advanced). You can learn and practice these Endgames on Lichess.org: https://lichess.org/practice I can’t tell you how many scholastic tournament games I’ve witnessed where a player doesn’t know how to checkmate their opponent and a “winning” game turns into a draw (tie). A player with 5 queens is usually a 'telltale' sign.

5. PRACTICE BY PLAYING

Practice like you play! That is, practice under ‘tournament conditions’. Practice playing at least once per day the week before the tournament. Tournament conditions include: playing with G25 d/5 time control (or whatever time control your tournament is using), playing OTB (not on the computer) with a vinyl board with 2.25” squares and 3.75” tall king plastic pieces (if you don’t have one, buy one, they’re inexpensive), keep score (w/ chess notation), use a chess clock (if you don’t have one there’s an App for your phone called, “Chess Clock”. It’s free.), sitting upright on a chair w/ good lighting (no standing), play by the rules (no takebacks, etc), play in a quiet environment (so you can focus/concentrate), no talking, etc. Practicle like you play, and play like you practice.

6. DAY/NIGHT ‘BEFORE’ YOUR TOURNAMENT

I wouldn’t practice the night before your tournament. This is a time you want to relax and forget about chess. Watch a good movie. Get to bed early! If you’re a more experienced player, make sure your chess clock has fresh batteries. If not, replace them NOW! RELAX!

7. TOURNAMENT DAY

Get up early so you don’t have to rush out the door at the last minute. Relax! Eat a good breakfast! Make sure you are hydrated. Don’t forget to take a water bottle and snack with you before you leave home. If you’re a more experienced player, don't forget to bring your chess clock with you.

Get to your tournament venue at least 20 minutes before the first game. Once at the tournament venue, check-in with the Tournament staff to let them know you’re there. There’s usually a pairing sheet hanging on the wall outside the tournament room, or a QR code you can scan with a smart phone, to see who you will play in your first game. If you don’t have a smart phone, you can ask someone that has one to tell you who you are paired with. The pairing will tell you what table and seat you’re playing at, and if you’re playing the white or black pieces. Don’t worry, the aides within the Tournament room will guide you to your table/seat and make sure you’re playing the appointed pieces- either white or black.

Before you go into the tournament room to play your first game, go to the bathroom. If you don’t go before the tournament, and you have to go during the tournament, you can’t stop your clock. Even if you don’t play with a clock, it’s not fair to have your opponent wait while you go to the bathroom. Go now! Bring your water bottle with you. Sorry, no snacks in the tournament room.

Find your seat, sit down and wait for your opponent to arrive. When they sit down, introduce yourself. Say, “Hi, I’m George (or whomever), pleased to meet you”. When the Tournament Director says it’s time to start, shake hands (fist bump or whatever) with your opponent, and say, “Good Luck! Have fun!” or “Have a good game!” and start playing. (If you're playing with a chess clock, black will start the clock.) When the game is over, raise your hand so the TD, Arbiter or Aide can record your game. Don’t forget to shake hands with your opponent after the game- win or lose! Be a good sport! Set the pieces back up before you leave. Relax, before it's ready to play your next game.