Tournament Info

At Piermont Chess Club we like to maintain a more relaxed approach to our tournaments compared to most clubs. We trust that everyone who registers knows how to play the game, will behave respectfully, and show good sportsmanship. But competition is competition, and we all know that emotions can run high sometimes. We want these to be positive experiences for all involved, so we have included some house rules and guidelines for all players to be aware of to keep our tournaments friendly and fun.

Tournament Rules and Procedures:

• All boards have 2.25″ squares with with notation in margins.
• Pieces are weighted with standard 3.75″ king height in the Staunton design.
• All Clocks are digital and of US Chess certified design with variable time settings and increment and delay options.
• All players must take notation for Rapid and Classical time control categories. Blitz and Bullet chess do not require notation.
• Notation may be made at anytime before or after you make your move.
• One hand must be used for any action. Example: the same hand that moves a piece should press the lever on the chess clock.
• A player’s turn ends when they press the clock. Your opponent may not move until your turn is over.
• All tournaments are “Touch Move”. If you touch a piece that can move legally, you must move it. You may hold the piece until you release it, and it must stay on the square it is placed. There are no take backs.
• All tournaments are “Touch Take” also. If you touch an opponent’s piece which can be captured legally, you must capture it.
• Illegal moves must be declared by your opponent before their next move is complete. In the event of any confusion, pause the clock and call a tournament director.
• Captured pieces can be held by players, and placed anywhere on the game table.
• When castling, you must move the king first, THEN the rook, while using the same hand.
• If you castle illegally, you must reset the king and rook and make another king move, as castling is considered a king move.
• When promoting a pawn, the player should move the pawn to the last rank, then remove the pawn from the board and replace it with the promoted piece while using the same hand.
• Shake hands, or bump fists, with your opponent at the beginning and end of each game.
• The player with black pieces may choose on which side of the board the clock is placed.
• To begin the game, white’s clock lever must be in the up position. Black presses the play button to start the clock.
• If you’re late to a game your opponent may start your clock. White starts the clock, makes their first move, and activates blacks clock. Black simply starts the clock.
• A player loses on time when their clock shows no time remaining and the opposing player, and ONLY the opposing player, declares a win on time. The opponent must have sufficient material remaining to create a checkmate, or the outcome is a draw.
• If both players run out of time before either player has declared a win on time, the game is ruled a draw.
• A player may borrow, on their own time, the opponent’s notation book during the round to correct an error in notation.
• When YOUR clock is under 5 minutes, you can stop taking notation.
• You may, but do not have to, say “check” or “checkmate.” A checkmate is not final until confirmed by both players.
• Assigned byes are given to the lowest rated player with the fewest wins and the player is awarded 1 full point for lack of an opponent because of an odd number of players.
• Requested byes due to conflict or illness etc. receive 1/2 a point.
• Ties in the standings are resolved with “tie breaks.” The pairing software makes these determinations based on player rating and other factors.
• Illegal moves incur a time penalty and a reset to a position before the move was made. Pause the clock and call a tournament director for arbitration in the event of any illegal moves.
• In Blitz and Bullet time controls, the game ends immediately upon an illegal move that is declared.
• Players may pause the clock to ask the tournament director for assistance at any time.
• Both players should set up the pieces for the next round at the conclusion of their match.
• Report the results of every game to a tournament director.

Etiquette at Piermont Chess Club:

• Check in before the first pairing so we know you are here and ready to play.
• If you know you will be late please contact us so we can give you a bye or start your clock. If we don’t hear from you we may assume you aren’t coming and you will be likely be withdrawn.
• No talking. Minimize loud vocal expressions like grunting, gasping, laughing, coughing, celebrating, etc.
• Do not give, or ask for, advice.
• No aggressive slamming of pieces or clocks.
• Avoid annoying sounds and habits like loud pen tapping/clicking or excessive leg shaking, etc.
• No trash talk, arguing, gloating, or intimidation with words or actions.
• No weapons.
• Food and drink is allowed as long as it is not disruptive.
• No drugs or alcohol.
• The game room door must remain closed.
• You may keep your cell phone, but it must be silent or off. Please do not use it in the game room. Texting is tolerated but should be minimized, and your opponent may ask you not to.
• You may wear headphones to listen to music.
• Electronic devices (watches, tablets etc.) in general are allowed.
• We trust you, but cheating will not be tolerated. You may be banned if caught.
• When your game is over you may watch other games, but be quiet, keep your distance, and do not distract other players.
• If you leave the game room to use the bathroom etc. please open and close the door quietly. If you exit after your game is over, try to avoid re-entry until the round is over.
• Do not discuss or analyze games in the game room.
• You may go to the bathroom, stand, walk around, and watch other games at any time, including during your game, but try not to be distracting.
• We often have more boards set up than needed. If you finish a game early, and a game board is available, you may play a casual game, but, again, please do so quietly.
• ANYONE may request a cease of ANY behavior if they are feeling distracted. Their request MUST be obliged.

We hope you enjoy your tournament experience at Piermont Chess Club. Contact us at piermontchess@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns.