Getting Ready for a First Tournament: Clock, Notation and Tournament Psychology

After a few months of lessons at the club, children and parents eventually ask: “When should we go to our first tournament?” A tournament is an important experience in which a child tries what they have learned against a real opponent under time pressure, and it strengthens their bond with chess. Well prepared, a first tournament becomes a happy memory whatever the result.

Licence and registration

To play in official tournaments in Turkey where the national rating (UKD) is calculated, a player needs a sports licence registered with the Turkish Chess Federation and an up-to-date annual validation. Licensing and validation follow the current announcements of the federation and the relevant provincial directorate. Tournament registration is usually done on the federation’s or organiser’s website by the stated deadline. Our club guides families through the process when getting a first licence.

The chess clock and time control

In tournaments each player has a set amount of thinking time. Classical tournaments use controls such as “60 minutes + 30 seconds per move”, while rapid tournaments come down to 10-25 minutes. Children need to make it a habit, in lessons and club tournaments, to press the clock with the same hand they moved with, keep track of their time and not panic in time trouble.

Notation

In classical tournaments players write their moves on a scoresheet. This is required by the rules and is also invaluable for analysis afterwards. Rather than trying to keep score for the first time at a tournament, children should play all their club games with notation for at least a few weeks beforehand.

Tournament psychology

• The goal of a first tournament is not to win but to complete every round calmly.
• After a loss, a short walk, some water and a light snack before the next round help.
• Parents are required by the rules to stay out of the playing hall during games; between rounds it is important to listen to your child rather than question them about results.
• Respecting the arbiter’s decisions and shaking hands with your opponent are part of the game.

The tournament bag

ID or licence, a pen, water, a light snack, a thin cardigan and a book. Electronic devices are not allowed in the playing area; phones are switched off and left with a parent. Our club’s Winter Open includes a separate beginners’ section for children playing rated chess for the first time.

After the tournament

The first week after a tournament is the best time for a child to go through their games with their coach. Keep the scoresheets safe and take at least one lesson from every game. Even if results were disappointing, finishing the tournament is an achievement in itself. At our club every child who completes a first tournament receives a small “first tournament” badge, and we set a goal for the next one together.