Common Tournament Rules

Did you recently play in your first tournament and were stumped by some of the rules that didn't pertain to the actual chess being played?

Be sure to review the US Chess Rulebook (7th Edition) free chapters at https://new.uschess.org/news/7th-edition-rule-book-free-chapters-updated-2025

The Metrowest Chess Club in Massachusetts has a common rules brochures that can be seen at https://metrowestchess.org/FAQs/New_Members/FAQ_Common_Tournament_Rules.pdf

The first thing to know at a tournament is that the player is responsible for knowing the rules and making a proper claim if there is a rule issue. Tournament Directors DO NOT intervene in a game unless invited by a player even if they see a rules violation. Consider a tournament game as a test between two minds. Once the game has been completed, a post-mortem game review can be conducted.

Chess tournaments are a great start for teaching young players to research and advocate for themselves. High schoolers can become tournament directors and learn how to organize and conduct tournaments.

Onslow County Public Library will be offering chess tournaments in which beginning players can get the practice they need to get tournament rated for US Chess Rated events.