@ClaireWerk maybe it's slightly different for FIDE? I have played a lot of USCF tournaments, and my aforementioned notation process is allowed. (Unless you're using an electronic notation device, of course)
Haven't played OTB tournaments for a long time, but here's some general tips I can give:
-As far as the touch move thing is concerned, try to keep your hands in a comfortable position for you, but away from the board. Especially on longer time controls. If you need to fidget with your hands, bring something small that won't distract your opponent (elastic band or something maybe). Or you can fidget with a captured piece or something. Only move toward the board when you are ready to play. If you're under time pressure, you will obviously need to be more ready to move and hit the clock, but outside of that it should be fine. Try to keep your body language neutral to avoid tipping off your opponent if you've seen something interesting.
-Get a good night's sleep before your game, eat well the day of and drink plenty of water to hydrate yourself. Doing some light exercise before the tournament is probably not a bad idea if you can manage it. But extra hour of sleep will do you much more good than an extra hour of preparation the night before.
-Try to play openings that are familiar to you. Obviously this depends on how your opponent is going to respond, but if you're not a Sicilian player, don't try to play it for the first time in the tournament.
-As far as the touch move thing is concerned, try to keep your hands in a comfortable position for you, but away from the board. Especially on longer time controls. If you need to fidget with your hands, bring something small that won't distract your opponent (elastic band or something maybe). Or you can fidget with a captured piece or something. Only move toward the board when you are ready to play. If you're under time pressure, you will obviously need to be more ready to move and hit the clock, but outside of that it should be fine. Try to keep your body language neutral to avoid tipping off your opponent if you've seen something interesting.
-Get a good night's sleep before your game, eat well the day of and drink plenty of water to hydrate yourself. Doing some light exercise before the tournament is probably not a bad idea if you can manage it. But extra hour of sleep will do you much more good than an extra hour of preparation the night before.
-Try to play openings that are familiar to you. Obviously this depends on how your opponent is going to respond, but if you're not a Sicilian player, don't try to play it for the first time in the tournament.
"The scoresheet shall be visible to the arbiter (tournament directors) and the opponent throughout the game."
This is often broken in weekend tournaments. The tables are small and the neighbours are close. Many people, including me, keep the top of the scoresheet under the board. I've never seen anyone complaining about this habit.
About writing the move before one moves: it used to be allowed and recommended but is now forbidden. I've heard a claim that the reason was famous Fischer vs. Tal game (Fischer commented after the game:"But you laughed at me!", but I'm under the impression it was forbidden much later. I could, of course, be wrong, I've had several long breaks from chess.
This is often broken in weekend tournaments. The tables are small and the neighbours are close. Many people, including me, keep the top of the scoresheet under the board. I've never seen anyone complaining about this habit.
About writing the move before one moves: it used to be allowed and recommended but is now forbidden. I've heard a claim that the reason was famous Fischer vs. Tal game (Fischer commented after the game:"But you laughed at me!", but I'm under the impression it was forbidden much later. I could, of course, be wrong, I've had several long breaks from chess.
Dear All,
Just in case anyone was curious about the results of my first tournament, I put the four games in a study here: lichess.org/study/0cDcJLtL
Overall, I feel good about how the tournament went. Even though I didn't do very well (1 W - 3 L), and made some pretty crucial mistakes, the experience definitely made me feel like I will do better next time. OTB games feel very different from what I am used to, but I didn't violate any touch move or notation rules.
I think my major weakness is underestimating my opponent. There were a couple times I did not play a prophylactic move when I clearly should have (Game 3 I got Greek Gifted after really considering playing h6 and not playing it x.x) And other times I miscalculated based on mistakes I thought my opponent would make, and of course never did.... Overall a very educational experience and I feel I need to find more OTB tournaments!!
Just in case anyone was curious about the results of my first tournament, I put the four games in a study here: lichess.org/study/0cDcJLtL
Overall, I feel good about how the tournament went. Even though I didn't do very well (1 W - 3 L), and made some pretty crucial mistakes, the experience definitely made me feel like I will do better next time. OTB games feel very different from what I am used to, but I didn't violate any touch move or notation rules.
I think my major weakness is underestimating my opponent. There were a couple times I did not play a prophylactic move when I clearly should have (Game 3 I got Greek Gifted after really considering playing h6 and not playing it x.x) And other times I miscalculated based on mistakes I thought my opponent would make, and of course never did.... Overall a very educational experience and I feel I need to find more OTB tournaments!!
"I miscalculated based on mistakes I thought my opponent would make, and of course never did"
Shame on you ! be cursed until your seventh generation ! (joke :-D)
Never hope that the other guy make a mistake ! always think he/she will move the best piece on the best square.
what is your elo performance ?
Shame on you ! be cursed until your seventh generation ! (joke :-D)
Never hope that the other guy make a mistake ! always think he/she will move the best piece on the best square.
what is your elo performance ?
USCF rated or what?
@Sholmes49 @deepLA This was a USCF tournament. I am still unrated, but after the tournament it gave me a provisional rating R:864 Q:842 (Not sure what the R and Q stand for). After three loses and only winning against another unrated player, that's not surprising. I certainly don't feel like a -1000 player, but I am pretty unexperienced in OTB play and long games in general. Can only go up from here!
first OTB tourney game against a 1800ish player is terrible.
you should chose tourneys in rating groups like below 1200 and 1400..
you should chose tourneys in rating groups like below 1200 and 1400..
@jzehner4192 I recently just played in a FIDE rated tournament – it seems that in FIDE tournaments, you must notate only AFTER the move is played.
Also, Q = quick rating, R = normal rating.
Also, Q = quick rating, R = normal rating.
@deepLA Yes, well it was the 'college section' of a state scholastic tournament. Our section was likely too small to have such divisions. In any case, even though I lost against the 1800, it was in some ways my best game.
@Expiration. I think the rules for both FIDE and USCF are to notate after the move is made. I can't imagine what this would be like in a time scramble situation tho!
@Expiration. I think the rules for both FIDE and USCF are to notate after the move is made. I can't imagine what this would be like in a time scramble situation tho!
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