Tournament Rules

  • Touch-move rules are in effect. If you touch your piece, you must move it; if you touch your opponent’s piece, you must take it.

  • If you want to adjust a piece, say the words “I adjust” BEFORE touching it.

  • On your turn, please press the clock with the same hand you moved with, AFTER moving your peice.

    1. Keeping notation is not required in the <beginner> sections, and is not required for either player if you or your opponent gets below five minutes. (If time control has a 30-second increment or more: Scorekeeping is required EVEN IF either player falls below five minutes.)

  • Do not walk into a tournament hall while games are in progress if you need an item to be dropped off to a participant. Kindly ask a Tournament Director and they will take the items to the player.

  • Here is a list of common penalties: 

    1. Addition of 2 minutes to the opponent's clock

    2. Reset to previously notated position

    3. Removal of half remaining time up to 10 minutes

    4. Automatic loss of game

    5. Removal from round

    6. Removal from tournament

    7. 1 Month ban for all TCC Tournaments

    8. 6 Month ban for all TCC Tournaments

    9. 1 year to life-long ban of all TCC Tournaments

  • In the event of any claims, pause the clock with the center plastic button and come find a TD.

  • When you’re done with your game, reset the pieces and mark your result, on the same sheet where you found your pairings in the first place. 1 for a win. 0 for a loss. ½ for a draw.

  • Cell phones must be placed face down on the table, visible to both players, and turned off. Apple Watches, smart watches, and other wearable tech must also be placed face down.

  • If you need to use the restroom, leave your device(s) on the table. If you need to go to the bathroom during your game, you may not pause the clock. You can go during your opponent's move, but once they hit the clock you will lose time.

  • Spectating is not permitted after your game has concluded. You must leave the tournament hall, close the door behind you, and record the results on the pairing sheet. Communication between spectators and players is prohibited once the game has started. Any form of outside assistance may result in severe penalties.

  • To withdraw from a tournament, please email info@texaschesscenter.com or complete the form on our website at least one hour before the event's start time. Refunds are available if requested up to one hour prior to the tournament's start. Refund requests made after this time will not be honored.

Tournaments Information

  • When can I start playing tournaments?

    If you're familiar with the rules and possess an active US Chess ID, you're eligible to participate! Players of all ages and skills are welcome!

  • Do I need to bring anything?

    You DO NOT have to bring anything. We provide notation sheets, pencils, chess boards, and clocks. It is recommended that you bring water bottles and snacks.

  • How do pairings work?

    In the first round, players are ranked by their monthly rating. The top half competes against the bottom half. In subsequent rounds, winners face off against each other, as do the losers. This pattern continues throughout the tournament.

  • What if I've got commitments and can't play a round?

    We've got you covered! Simply inform us. Half-point byes (which count as a draw in the standings without affecting your rating) are available if requested before the start of the preceding round. If not requested in time, the bye will be worth zero points, but your rating will still remain unchanged.

  • Registration Cutoff

    The registration deadline for the tournament is 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Players who register after this cutoff may receive a half-point bye for the first round.

  • What are byes?

    If there’s an odd number of players, then someone has to sit out. You’ll still get a win in the tournament, but no ratings change. Byes are given to the lowest-scoring player in the section, with the exception of players for whom it’s their first tournament or players who have a scheduled zero or half-point bye coming up. Refunds are not given or expected for byes.

  • What is a "Swiss" Tournament?

    The Swiss format in chess is a system where players don't face everyone but are paired based on ratings and performance. They play a set number of games. There is no elimination.

  • Tie Breaks: Modified Median Method

    Among median tiebreaks, this method is prevalent. It assesses a player's competition strength by summing opponents' scores. Players with even scores discard both the highest and lowest totals. Those with more wins discard the lowest score, and those with more losses discard the highest. In tournaments of nine or more rounds, either the top two, bottom two, or all four scores are omitted based on the player's win/loss ratio. Unplayed games count as half a point each, and if a tied player has unplayed games, they're treated as games against opponents scoring 0.

  • What is US Chess?

    In the United States, a player obtains a chess rating through the United States Chess Federation (USCF) by participating in rated tournaments. After playing and completing 4 games against other rated opponents in a sanctioned event, the USCF uses the results to calculate an initial rating for the player called a “Preliminary Rating”. This rating fluctuates as one continues to play in rated events, reflecting their performance relative to other players. In addition to the rating, players are assigned a unique US Chess ID, which helps in tracking their progress, tournament history, and rating adjustments over time. After 25 total rated games, they will receive their “Established Rating” which fluctuates less often.