• Touch-Move/Touch-Take: If you touch your own piece, you must move it (if legal). If you touch an opponent’s piece, you must capture it (if possible). If multiple pieces are touched, the opponent chooses which piece must be moved. Accidental bumps do not count, but if you adjust a piece, announce you’re adjusting it (before touching that piece).
• Chess Voices: Students shouldn’t be talking during their chess games unless it’s specifically related to their game. Examples would be: “checkmate, do you agree?”, “who’s turn is it”? “would you like a draw?”, or any other communication related to their chess game. Students need to be quiet during their games to help everyone in the tournament room focus.
• Chess Clocks: We will put chess clocks on games if the game has lasted 40+ minutes. Clock time will be set for 10 minutes per person with no delay. Coaches will remind students how the chess clock works before the clock is started.
• Clock Usage: The same hand that moves a piece must also be used to press the clock; the player with Black chooses the clock’s side.
• Judge Calls: Players must raise their hand to call a judge; judges only advise on rules, not game strategy. A judge is not allowed to tell players if the position is checkmate or not, players must make this decision with each other. Players handle most issues themselves and should only raise their hands to help with rule clarifications or disagreements between the players.
• Interference: Players are not allowed to interfere with games going on next to them. If a player notices an illegal move on a neighboring board, they are not allowed to interfere. If your opponent makes an illegal move on your board, tell your opponent immediately. If there is an issue during a game, please pause the game immediately and call for a judge. If a game ends and a student says their opponent cheated, we can not go backwards and replay the game. Students must stop the game immediately if there is a disagreement and not continue making moves.
• Restroom: If a student needs to use the restroom, they can stand up and go to the bathroom without raising their hand or asking for permission. If a clock is on the board during this time, the clock does not get paused and continues running during the bathroom break.
• Game Ends: When the chess game ends and both players have agreed on the results. Please keep the chess board/position set up in the final position. Both students need to walk together to the scoring table and report their results. After reporting who won/lost/tied, the players would then go back to their board to reset their chess set. After students have finished their games, they need to leave the tournament hall so as to not distract the other players still playing.
• First round: if a player does not have a first round opponent the tournament director will do their best to re-pair the player so they can play a new partner. If no partner is available, the player will wait fifteen minutes and receive a full point (win) for their round.
• Please keep in mind that these rules are general guidelines – tournament directors and floor judges ultimately make a decision based on their interpretation of the rules to suit disputes and situations.