Tournaments
Your Child's First Chess Tournament: A Coach's Checklist
A first tournament is a big moment — new rules, a ticking clock, an unfamiliar room. Most of the nerves come from the unknown. This checklist is what we go through with students before their first event, so the only thing left to think about on the day is chess.
By the Notion Chess coaching team · · 8 min read
Is your child ready?
A child is usually ready for a first tournament when they:
- know every rule, including castling, en passant and promotion (refresh them here);
- can play a full game without regularly losing pieces to one-move threats;
- can finish a won game — checkmating with king and queen, and with king and rook;
- can sit and concentrate for the length of a game.
They don't need to win. A first tournament is about experience, and a beginners' or junior section is the perfect place to get it.
In the weeks before
Practise with a chess clock
Play full games at the same time control as the tournament. Get used to pressing the clock with the hand that moved the piece, and to glancing at the time without panicking. If the event uses an increment (extra seconds added after each move), practise with it too.
Practise writing down the moves
In longer games players are often required to record every move on a scoresheet. Writing notation is slow at first, so practise in training games until it's automatic. The tournament rules will say whether recording is required.
Keep the openings simple
One opening as White and a plan against 1.e4 and 1.d4 as Black is plenty. Principles matter more than memorised lines — see chess opening basics for beginners.
Build one habit: check the threats
Before every move: what are my opponent's checks, captures and attacks? Most beginner games are decided by a piece left undefended, not by deep strategy.
Rules that surprise first-timers
- Touch-move: touch your own piece on purpose and you must move it; touch an opponent's piece and you must capture it if you can. Say "I adjust" before straightening a piece.
- Illegal moves can be penalised. If something seems wrong, stop the clock and raise a hand for the arbiter (called the tournament director in the US) — don't argue with the opponent.
- No phones. Many tournaments forfeit a game if a phone rings or is found on a player. Leave it with a parent.
- No help during the game — from parents, coaches or anyone else.
- Shake hands before and after the game, win or lose.
Registration and ratings
Rated over-the-board events usually require membership of the national federation — for example US Chess in the United States, or the English Chess Federation in England (some ECF events offer a game fee instead). Check the entry details when you register, and register early: junior sections often fill up.
What to pack
- Water and easy snacks for between rounds
- Two pens (for the scoresheet)
- A warm layer — playing halls can be cold
- A chess set and clock if the organiser asks players to bring them — common at US events, less so elsewhere
- Something calm to do between rounds
On the day
- Arrive early to find the room, check the pairings and settle in.
- Visit the bathroom before the round starts.
- Between rounds: eat, rest, get some fresh air. Save deep analysis for after the tournament.
- If a game goes badly, reset. Every round is a fresh start.
How parents can help
- Most events don't allow parents in the playing area — find the waiting area and be there between rounds.
- Ask "Did you enjoy it?" and "What did you learn?" rather than "Did you win?"
- Praise effort and good habits — taking time, writing moves, staying calm.
- Losses are part of chess for every player, including world champions. How a child handles them matters more than the result.
After the tournament
Keep the scoresheets. Reviewing tournament games with a coach is where the real improvement happens — you'll see exactly which habits held up under pressure and which need more work.