7 Things You Need to Know Before Your First OTB Chess Tournament

Preparing for your first classical over-the-board (OTB) tournament is a bit like going on a camping trip where everyone speaks a secret language, wears matching watches, and silently judges your handwriting. You’re going to need more than just good tactics and caffeine. Here’s what you really need to know:

(I learned it the hard way so you don’t have to.)

 
1. Everything takes longer than online
A classical OTB game isn’t 10+0 Blitz. It’s 90 minutes of sitting, thinking, occasionally staring at the ceiling like a philosopher with a caffeine addiction. Expect slower games, slower opponents, and slower blunders. Bring patience.

Here is an example of thought processes of GM Naroditsky

 
2. You’ll forget your openings
Your beloved 10-move prep? Gone after your opponent plays some sideline you didn’t even know existed. The pressure of the board, the clock ticking, and the eerie silence can make your memory evaporate.

 
3. Nerves are real — and physical
You’ll sweat. Your hands may shake. You’ll wonder why your heart is pounding during a board game. It’s normal. Your body hasn’t read My System, but it thinks you’re in danger.

A quick med student confession:
As a medical student, I can tell you tournaments sometimes feel less like chess and more like a brain endurance test. Your neurons are working overtime, your heart races like you’re on call, and suddenly you realize you haven’t eaten since breakfast. So yeah, staying hydrated and calm isn’t just advice , it’s basically a prescription. Spoiler alert: caffeine helps, but it won’t turn a blunder into a brilliant move.

 even greatest player get nervous probably he was nervous in magnus vs world match

4. Endgames matter more than you think
That "I'll just flag them" strategy doesn’t work in classical. You’ll end up in technical endgames — and you’ll have to convert them. Or hold a draw. Or… accidentally stalemate.

 one of the most popular endgame book explained by one of the best online teachers : John Bartholomew

 Hopefully chesscom provides great amount of resources to improve your endgame technique

5. Know the rules — like actually know them
You think you know the rules… until you touch a piece and regret it, or try to castle by moving your rook first !  Study the FIDE rules. There’s nothing more painful than losing because of a technicality.

 watch this video so you can avoid sacrificing the rules

6. Bring the right gear
Pen, water bottle, analog watch (no smartwatches!), snacks, your ID, and a calm brain. Also: wear layers. Tournaments love dramatic AC settings. It’ll be boiling in round 1 and freezing in round 2.

 
7. Losing is part of it. So is learning.
You will lose a game. Maybe several. That doesn’t mean you’re bad. It means you're doing it right. The best players are just the ones who stuck around the longest and took their lumps with grace.

sometimes it can be more than part of the game

 Bonus (and painfully true): Studying medicine doesn’t make you immune to chess blunders

 I once tried to justify a blunder by telling myself I had a "fatigued hippocampus." Sadly, my opponent just called it "dropping a rook." No matter how much anatomy you’ve memorized, chess will humble you faster than any pathology professor ever could.

Final thought:
Your first tournament isn’t about becoming a grandmaster. It’s about becoming a competitor a real chess player who can sit down across from a stranger, shake hands, and play with all the seriousness and silliness that this game deserves.

Play. Learn. Blunder. Repeat. And most importantly: enjoy the Game!