Do you actually say "check" when playing in tournaments?

When competing in a tournament, is it normal to say "check" whenever you check your opponent?  Or is it normal to say nothing & allow them to see it?  

In a tournament game, you're not allowed to speak except to offer a draw or when you're adjusting a piece. 

It is not normal. I do it occasionally, mostly for comic relief in casual tournaments among friends. Would never do so in a big money tournament.

According to USCF rules, it's optional. You can say it if you want, but it's not required. Most adults and experienced players don't say it, because it's the opponent's obligation to see it; Many young scholastic kids do say it, because they are taught to say it. Some adults get irritated when kids keep saying it, because the adult can clearly see it, and he doesn't need it pointed out to him. It doesn't really bother me if a kid says it.

There are both polite and selfish reasons to avoid saying check.  The polite reasons are: <A> you don't want the opponent to think you consider them too clueless to see the check; <B> you don't want to disturb the nearby players with your comment; <C> some that other people will mention.  The selfish reasons are: <D> you don't want to embarrass yourself if you've made an illegal move; <E> if the opponent doesn't see the check then the touch move rule can be devastating to them; <F> some that other people will mention.

When I am playing casual games against new players I generally say check when I see them getting ready to make a move that does not get them out of check.  That satisfies the polite reasons for not saying check without making it look like you are hoping to take advantage of case <E>.

I know plenty of scholastic coaches who do not teach children to say check. In fact, I spend a lot of time correcting the error that they learned from someone that check can be ignored if you don’t say it. Even in our day, there are lots of people teaching chess who do not really know how to play.

Yes, some young players are being taught to say check. But not by and large by scholastic chess coaches. They are being taught this by peers, parents, grandparents, uncles, …

Thanks for your answers everyone.  I know now that saying "check" isn't usual & to avoid it in tournaments.  I appreciate the responses!

no thats a ratio moment dont do it its distract goofy ah

Never.

I give my opponent that much credit, to see he is in check.

And can be distracting to players around me.

If an illegal move is played then US Chess rules (non-blitz) are that the opponent gets two minutes added to the clock and touch move applies (the touch move issue might be a lot more damaging than the time adjustment - I've seen players play a queen check without realizing they are already in check, and then get distraught when they realize the queen does have one blocking move that is legal even though it gives the queen away for nothing)

I am guessing this was Blitz or was a FIDE rated tournament where one illegal move had already been played by Nihal 

7.5.5   
After the action taken under Article 7.5.1, 7.5.2, 7.5.3 or 7.5.4 for the first completed illegal move by a player, the arbiter shall give two minutes extra time to his opponent; for the second completed illegal move by the same player the arbiter shall declare the game lost by this player. However, the game is drawn if the position is such that the opponent cannot checkmate the player’s king by any possible series of legal moves.

That's good to know. Something to look forward to in the future. :-)

Interesting take.

I say “check” because that’s what I was taught.

12 years-old Stuart Conquest said it to Tony Miles and the latter answered "It is?"

I don't announce checks, simply because I do not have to.

This has earned me half a point once- I had a much worse, probably lost position against a lower rated player, and we were at mutual time trouble. The opponent left his king in check, so I got two extra minutes on the clock and somehow, with a little help, I managed to save the game.

:-)))