Tournament Information

Following the Rules

• The rules of USCF must be followed for rated USCF play
• If an opponent breaks and rule and does not correct the move when asked, or there is a disagreement about the move, do not argue. Stop the clock and raise your hand and a tournament director will assist in a ruling.
• Do not argue with an opponent.

Rules and Etiquette for Tournaments

• Use of any notes, printed materials, recordings, phones and / or computers is prohibited.
• Players can not ask for advance on moves, only rule clarifications.
• Spectators have no rights in the tournament playing area. If observers are talking or distracting, they will be asked to leave the playing area.
• No analysis of games in the playing room.
• No skittles play in the tournament room while tournament games are played.
• No annoying behavior that might distract or annoy the opponent, or other players around.
• No talking with anyone in the tournament playing room, except for check (a courtesy), checkmate, draw offer, indicating an illegal move or a TD (tournament director) ruling request.
• A move is completed when the player has moved their piece and hit the clock.
• The hand that hits the clock must be the same hand that moved their piece.
• Touch-move is enacted during tournament play. Once a player deliberately touches a piece, that piece must move to a legal square.

Other Tournament Information

• The Chief TD (Tournament Director) is the tournament authority for enforcement of the USCF Official Rules of Chess and any rulings. Appeals of an assistant TD go to the Chief TD.
• Spectators have no rights in the tournament playing area. If observers are talking or distracting, they will be asked to leave the playing area.
  • Observation of games is allowed, however players should never feel crowded
• Scorekeeping
  • Scorekeeping is required for the Chess League games. The on
  • There will be scoresheets and pencils available at the tournament location, but hardback scorebooks will also be available for purchase. Hard-back books hold sheet for 100 games.
• If your opponent has missed a move or mulitple moves on their scoresheets, they may ask to borrow their opponent’s scoresheet to correct their own. When this occurs, the clock shall remain running for the player who is correcting their sheet
• Clocks will begin at the scheduled start time of each round.
  • If a player is not at their seat, their opponent may start the clock and make their move (if they are white), or if they are black, start the clock.
  • If neither player shows up at the start of the round. The playing time for that board will be reduce by the amount of time the players are late, evenly split between both players