So I'm going to my first OTB tournament next weekend. Actually, this will be my first OTB play ever that approaches serious chess.

I know absolutely nothing about how to act, what to do, or what not to do.

So far I know that if I plan on touching a piece I'm not moving to use j'adoube, I know people pick their noses and then move pieces, and I know the only talking going on in the tournament room is draw offer/rejection... so, do any of you super-helpful regulars have advice for a newbie?

On a short side note, I have the choice of going into U1200 or U900, but I have no idea how strong an actual USCF player is of those ratings.

I'd expect you to be around 900 USCF strength. If you'd like a bit more challenge go for the higher section and try as best you can.

Just stay quiet, play well, and hit your clock:D

Use the same hand you move with to punch your clock,Do not write down your move on your scoresheet before playing it as that is now considered a form of cheating,and just try to relax and play your best and have fun. Trust me i have been doing this for over 30 years now and every tourn. is still a lot of fun.

Use the same hand you move with to punch your clock,Do not write down your move on your scoresheet before playing it as that is now considered a form of cheating,and just try to relax and play your best and have fun. Trust me i have been doing this for over 30 years now and every tourn. is still a lot of fun.

It is considered using notes which is forbidden in OTB chess.

Its alot easier then it sounds. Just go and ask a few questions. I am returning to competitive chess after 12 years. You will be surpised how well you do. Enter the lowest you can if you have not been studying for years.

  Just know a basic white opening along with a basic opening for D4 and E4 and you will do fine. By basic i mean the first 5 or so moves. Dont let it over run your thoughts since in the lower ranks its not like your opponent will follow book pretty much at all hehe.

  Also dont feel rushed, use your time clock. That was my hardest thing to learn and now relearn. I always thought i had to play fast, but you dont. Take time to see the whole board and you will do fine. You might even place well.

Thanks guys, I think if I can remember not to rush I should have a pretty good time of it, plus it'll be my first time in St. Louis. In any case it'll be a lot of fun, and with this beautiful weather the drive will be superbly pleasant.

     I am in the same situation as Eniamar (Post #1).  I just played in my first informal Quad last weekend, and will be in my first real tournament next Saturday:  4 game Swiss, 70 minutes ( not quite sure yet--70 what?).  I have picked up a lot of information from the forums so that I only appear inept  and not moronic.  However, if I lose every game do I:  (a) change my name, have a monkey disfigure my face, and move to the Yukon (me, not the monkey); (b) throw all of my chess stuff in the Ohio and never play again: (c) laugh it off, joke good naturedly, and follow my stuff into the Ohio (as in River); and/or (d) post my results here and swear I was sick, lost my eyesight in the second game, suffered from vertigo, while everyone else was cheating.

     I find it hard to believe no one is as interested/fascinated in my life as I am.  (including my family)   

(c) imo. Although don't jump off one of the casino boats, it's a $10,000 fine if you do.

The game is probably G/70 meaning the whole game is 70 minutes per opponent.

Make sure you get sleep. It'll be a long day. I used to be 1st board on my old high school team and at the end of every season there was always a conference-wide tournament. From experience, I can tell you that sleep, a good breakfast, a prayer or two before heading off is probably the best way to start the day off. Pack a snack (i always brought trail mix) and munch on it while there. Take breaks between matches when posssible, go wash your face off, etc.  The most important thing to keep in mind is to just stay calm and collected no matter what, focus on the board always during the game and not the other player. Assume they can see any obvious plans, with that said, play smart, not necessarily 'hard.' And NEVER, EVER assume you've got the match won even if your position looks dominating. You never want to "smell the roses" in competitive play until you actually secure a mate or an opponents resignation.  

As I related on March 9 (post #9), I played my first OTB tournament Saturday.  It took about 8-8 1/2 hours; a lot longer than I anticipated.  Tips on this forum helped.  Some of the highlights:

            1.  Did not get skunked:  1-3.  Played 2 14-1500+ players.

             2.  Only forgot my clock twice.

             3.  Although I got used to it, the clock and the game notation were       initially a challenge.

              4.  Once I settled on a Knight move and then tried to move my opponent's Knight (which, in retrospect, would have been a better strategy).

               5.  Heard no one yell "joo doob"??

Great experience.  Definitely need to work on 2-3 openings; I was 1-2 pawns down or cramped against the better players.  I am looking forward to the next one.   

Renewed this post instead of beginning another.  Just played in a tournament over the weekend.  I have started going over my losses, as many good players here suggest.  The two I lost look like I lost my mind when I was playing.  It seems to be really instructive to go over losses.  I clearly did not look for checks-captures-threats on every move.  In one I missed an easy mate that I caught in a second while reviewing.  Sometime I was playing defense, worrying more about my opponent's move, when, upon review, I could have easily taken the offense. 

I want to see what I do nextr month; but I am going play more live online and review more--along with tactics.

Best advice.

I thought this only applies to the Monroi but regular scoresheets you are allowed to prewrite moves.

I have only been in a few local tournaments, but many pre-write the move.  I have not forgotten my clock lately, nor tried to move my opponent's piece; which I once tried and considered it a pretty good maneuver.

I played an IM recently who pre-wrote his moves. I don't think it's a big deal.

He won.

One of his pre-written moves would have lost, but he crossed it out and pre-wrote a different move.

So close!

If you are playing in the lower ranks, you will probably end up playing some children. Don't take them lightly! A buddy of mine was playing a 9 year old girl, and had scholors mate on her. He let her off the hook, as she was cute, and he didn't want to be a richard and crush a little girl.

She came back to beat him. It is the hard heart that kills grasshopper.

Oh, and as a tip, kids attack much better than they defend, so attack them, and they will often fold.

 They attack, and they attack quickly.  I could beat them if their mothers weren't sitting there, the little **!#@**%$%%* s.

@rookandladder I think I've read that story before on this site once!

My kid story: I was playing against a kid who was really a small kid. He might have been 8 or 9 years old but was small for his age. Also, he could NOT sit still. Always looking at the board for a couple of second, looking away, fidgeting, looking back at the board. It would have been a tough game, except...

1.d4 c5 2.Nf3 cxd4 3.Nxd4 e5 4.Nb5 d5? 5.Qxd5!

And the game is already decided. He was, as you can imagine, NOT happy at all, and continued his fidgeting, but after these opening moves it didn't bother me at all.