TD Answers to Frequently Asked Questions & Issues at Scholastic Chess Tournaments

Here’s a list to address most of the TD issues that seem to arise with some frequency at scholastic tournaments. The tournament Organizer will have a separate list to address hospitality and facility issues. Feel free to modify this as appropriate for your event and pass along any suggestions to admin@okschess.org . You may choose to announce some or all of these, post this at the tournament, and/or hand out copies.

The tournament directors today are…

If you’re in the wrong section, the TD must know immediately, before play begins. Otherwise you will have to play there longer, not get credit in your proper section and forfeit games played in a lower than appropriate section.

If you’re shown on the wrong team, the TD must know immediately or you may be paired with a teammate. Team corrections can not be made for a round’s pairings after play begins, or after the end of the last round.

Parents must leave the tournament room after the first 10 minutes. Parents should be somewhat behind their player and in their designated area on the perimeter of the room during their short stay. Parents are passive observers only and may not enforce the rules. If your player isn’t enforcing the rules, talk to your player about it AFTER the game.

Team sensitivity may only be maintained as long as proper pairings of players can be achieved based on game points.

How to use the clock:

Keep hand away from the clock except while pressing it.

Don’t let the clock cause you to move faster.

Touch with same hand that moved the piece just after moving.

Don’t hit the clock, it’s your friend.

Yes, you must use the clock if your opponent has one available. If both have a clock they want to use, black’s clock will normally be used, unless the TD approves white’s clock as being more desirable.

The TD may put a clock on games that are approaching the round time limit, with half the time remaining on each side.

If you’re late for a round, a clock will be put on your board and your opponent will start your time running as if the game had started on time. If time runs out for the missing opponent, they forfeit the round and will be withdrawn from the tournament.

Byes are games you don’t play.

An odd number of players will cause one player to get a full point bye, as if they won.
If you have a full point bye, do not leave until the round has begun, in case we re-pair.

You may choose to receive a bye for ½ point, except for the last round if decided after round 2. The TD must be notified of a bye or tournament withdrawal prior to pairing the round. If a player simply doesn’t show up for a round, they forfeit the game and will be withdrawn from the tournament.

Yes, if you touch a piece like you were going to move it, you must move it if you can. If a piece is moved and displaces an opponent’s piece that can be captured, it must be captured. If you touch a piece like you were going to capture it, then you must capture it if you can.

Both players must enter and confirm results before leaving the tournament room. If your opponent put down the wrong result and you’re not there to verify it, the result will stand after the next round has been paired.

Game results should be checked regularly and input errors reported immediately. Errors more than a full round old may not be able to be corrected (when Swiss Sys software is used).

The pairing and standings charts are posted under the signs with section names.

Information about the tiebreaks used today is posted near the pairing and standings charts.

Information about accelerated pairings used for any section(s) today is posted near the pairing and standings charts.

For any questions about the tournament sections, time controls or prizes; a tournament flier is posted near the pairing and standings charts.

Players must enforce the rules by stopping the clock and calling the TD if there is a problem. Repeat frivolous claims by a player may result in a time penalty.

TDs are the only ones who may intervene in a game, and then only in a few specific circumstances. See the USCF Rules of Chess for details.

Nobody, including parents, may communicate in any way with their player during a game. The TD is the only one that may do so. This includes no side discussions in the game room, since they may be overheard by young sharp ears.

Players may watch the games of other players, as long as they are absolutely quiet without gestures or expressions and don’t crowd the players or touch the table. Otherwise a player may be required to stay at their board and to leave the room after their game.

Parents may take pictures/video only during the first 10 minutes of a round, and no flash photography at any time.

Scorekeeping is strongly encouraged but not required. Some TD rulings are not possible without a valid scoresheet to reconstruct the game. Scoresheets and pencils are provided.

If there is any uncertainty about whether the game is ended, stop your clock and raise a hand to request the TD. After you and your opponent agree on a specific result and put things away, that is the result, even if someone else says it wasn’t really over. It’s best to document the agreed result on each other’s score sheets and mutually sign the other’s sheet, to avoid confusion.

Players with a clock may leave the board, but your time may run after your opponent moves. Players without a clock must ask TD permission to leave the board, so that this may be considered if a clock is placed on the board near the end. Absolutely no discussion of your game is allowed during the game, even while away from the board.

If a player doesn’t like a floor TD ruling, they may politely request an appeal with the Chief TD. Do not argue with the floor TD or opponent.

No skittles games, analysis or discussion in the tournament room.

Phones and pagers must be kept off or in silent mode. Offending observers may be barred from the tournament room. Offending players will receive a 5 minute time penalty.

Results of this tournament, including new USCF membership numbers, will be posted on-line at www.okschess.org . You will also find this information with rating updates at www.uschess.org in the member services area or MSA.

Please always observe good sportsmanship.

Have Fun!!!