Our club tournaments are played under the FIDE Laws of Chess and federation regulations, run by licensed arbiters. The points below are a short reminder of common situations.
During the game
- Touch-move: a piece touched deliberately must be moved if it has a legal move. To adjust a piece, say “I adjust” first.
- Press the clock with the hand that made the move; banging or holding the clock is not allowed.
- In classical games moves are recorded on a scoresheet.
- Do not distract your opponent by talking, gesturing or making noise; offer a draw only after making your own move.
Electronic devices
No electronic devices, including mobile phones, smartwatches and earphones, may be brought into the playing area. A player found with a device in the playing area may lose the game under the rules. Phones are switched off and left with a parent or at the deposit desk.
Parents and spectators
- Parents do not enter the tournament hall during games; they can follow the top boards on a screen in the waiting area.
- Signalling anything to a child about moves or time during a game is strictly forbidden.
- Objections to arbiters’ decisions are made calmly, to the chief arbiter only.
Fair play
Chess is a mind sport, and fair play comes before everything. The board may open disciplinary proceedings against members found to have broken the rules in club or outside tournaments.