I'm Taking the Plunge Into My First Tournament

I would be terrible in blitz or bullet. My first three games on Chess.com were 10 minute rapids, but only because I didn't know any better. Once I discovered the 30 minute game, I found my sweet spot. I play no more than two games a day.

Once I got comfortable playing online, I became interested in joining a tournament, but it's difficult to find — and find time for — a 30 minute rapid tournament for players of my limited skill. And frankly, I didn't want to get stomped by more experienced players while I learned the ropes.

I found a solution. I'm entirely unrated in Daily Chess, and thought I could give that a go. Killing two birds with one stone, as the saying goes, I registered for the 55th Chess.com Quick Knockouts (1200-1399) tournament.

It starts July 1 and currently has more than 2,700 players signed up. I've read all the rules, but I'm still not 100 percent sure I know what I'm doing. I know it's a max of one day per move, and that your average time has to be below 12 hours, and to watch out for cheaters, but I have no idea what exactly will happen on July 1.

I'm old enough to remember playing chess by snail mail, so I think I'll manage.