FAQs for first time player or parent
A guide to chess tournament jargon and flyers.
Game A chess contest is called a
game (a “match” is several games).
The equipment used
to play a chess game is a “ chess set” or “set”, not a “chess game”.
Game / 60d5 (or G/30d5) This means that each player will have 60 (or
30) minutes to play the entire game and (after your opponent moves) you will
have a 5 second delay before your clock starts .
Therefore games will last not more than 2 hours (1 hour). The time is measured by a chess clock. Do not worry about this. Beginners normally
play way to fast and never come close to running out of time. Beginners will
frequently play without a clock because there are not enough. A few games will run slow and if there is not
a clock on them an official will eventually put a clock on the game.
Swiss system This means that the tournament is NOT A KNOCKOUT or elimination
tournament. If your child loses the
first game then he/she will (normally) be paired in the second round with
another player who lost in the first round.
This process continues and with few exceptions every player will play 4
games and will (roughly) always be playing someone else with the same score and
be in for the entire tournament.
Players Meeting A short meeting to discuss specifics about the tournament.
Bring Sets etc The standard set design is called Staunton . If you have one bring it. If you don’t have this equipment do not worry
about it we will turn up one in case neither player in some game has one. If you have a Charlemagne or Ming Dynasty style
set, don’t bring it.
USCF memberships: All
players in rated tournaments must be members of USCF in order for the
tournament to be rated. If you are or
ever have been a member include your ID number with your entry. If you need to
buy your first membership at this tournament, then please help us by telling
the TD in advance and sending the info on the form with your entry fee. You can pay for the membership at the site.
Ratings: Players
in this tournament will get a rating. A
rating is a number on a scale from 0 to 3,000 which reflects how well a player
has done against other rated players.
The national average among serious players is about 1500. A beginner at the primary level should expect
a rating of from 0 to 200 unless they have an exceptionally good result in
their first tournament. A new rating
(based on less than 25 games) is called provisional and is very unreliable and
may fluctuate significantly.
Half point byes In some tournaments, if you cannot attend
some round then you can get a half point for that round even though you do not
play. This must be requested before the first round begins and it cannot be
cancelled after the tournament begins even if your circumstances change.
Trophy Classes Some trophies are reserved for lower level
players. Sometimes this is done by grade
level - for example 4th graders cannot win a primary trophy. Sometimes it is done by rating level –for
example trophies limited to players rated below 1400 .
EXAMPLE:
Open: (6th
grade and above); Swiss 4 rds; Game/ 30
for the first round, Game/
45 thereafter
(end by 6 pm) Rounds at 10, 11, 1, ASAP for the fourth round.
Elementary: (5th grade and below); Swiss 4 rds Game/ 30 at 11, 1 then ASAP (end by 4 pm).
EXPLANATION:
Who can play: The open section will include everyone from 6th
graders through adults (if it is a scholastics
tournament then the upper limit would be 12th grade).
The
Elementary section will include only children in the 5th grade and
below.
4 rds = rounds Each participant will play (except for a
few byes) 4 rounds (= 4 games).
11, 1 and ASAP The
open will begin at 11. The 2nd round is at 1 the 3rd and 4th will start
As Soon As
Possible thereafter. This allows for lunch from 12-1.
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