OTB Beginner - clocks, scoresheets, etiquette

There are lots of good resources online with regards to play, could anyone point me to some with regards to OTB play - i.e. how to fill in score sheet, how to use the clock and other aspects of actual play.

As an extension of that, does anyone have any tips for longer time controls? I am USELESS at blitz, especially online - but I have got a rating of 2200 against Fritz on my PC (I know this does not equate to a real elo, but likewise surely it shows I am not a completely without hope! I would guess I could play 1200 or so). Still sometimes I just play instinctive moves...I will carefully think out 5 or 6 moves, and then BAM! before I know it I play a move without any thought at all.

(I am in my 40s but I would really like to get an FIDE rating, I have played casual chess but never in a formal setting.  I have set myself the goal of playing in the England open next year - so I have 11 months. Also...if worst comes to worst, what would my rating be, if I lost every game!? Would I get a rating!?)

@1

"how to fill in score sheet" ++ Write a move in algebraic notation after it is made

"how to use the clock" ++ Move, press your clock, write down your move on your score sheet

"Other aspects of actual play." ++ Do not say anything. Do not say check.

"any tips for longer time controls?" ++ Key is to maintain a deep concentration over a long time.

"sometimes I just play instinctive moves"
++ Intuition is good, but always calculate and always blunder check.

"BAM! before I know it I play a move without any thought at all."
++ That is a way to lose. Control your impulses. Sit on your hands.

"so I have 11 months." ++ Practice slower time controls, impulse control, and blunder checking.

"what would my rating be" ++ Do not worry about rating. Worry about mistakes. Rating follows.

Thanks for such a detailed reply! I just realised I asked a lot of questions - I will use your advice!

A couple of other details --

• press the clock with the same hand that you move the piece.
• don't forget to press the clock (first-time OTB common mistake), or it can cost you time.
• write down each move immediately after it is played.  Don't forget or your scoresheet will be messed up, which can be significant if you want to claim 50-move rule, or 3-fold repetition.
• if you need some stress relief, it is OK to get up and walk around.
• I sometimes find it useful to get up and see what the board looks like from my opponent's point of view.
• when spectating, don't crowd someone else's board.
• when your game finishes, offer to review the game with your opponent - but if they agree, move to the analysis room, don't review it in the main playing area.
• remember it is TOUCH MOVE, which means if you touch a piece, you must move it (if possible), if you touch an opponent's piece you must take it (if possible), and if you move and release a piece, it stays on that square (if legal).  Don't hover with your hand while thinking or you might touch a piece.
• if you want to adjust or center a piece, without moving it, you must first clearly say "adjust" or "j'adoube".  If you don't, your opponent can claim touch move.  Say it just loud enough that there will be a witness.
• if your opponent is late, start their clock.  If you are white and your opponent is late, you can start the opponent's clock without making your move yet (when the opponent arrives, they push the clock, and then you move).
• Make sure you understand the time control.

Just make sure when u put ur opponent in check to say check loud enough for the whole room to hear it. It's a show of respect.  It's been the standard for 100s of years.

I'd offer a lot of helpful advice, but a lot of what I'd say has already been said here, so I'll just contribute a few more small details:

- As several have mentioned, there is typically no talking and saying "check" isn't necessary as it is just expected they can see they are in check and saying it out loud could distract others; however, different chess clubs (especially small clubs with unrated tournaments) have different rules on etiquette regarding things like talking mid-game. In the most formal tournaments, talking isn't allowed, but in many other events: players can occasionally whisper as long as they aren't distracting any ongoing games.

- Arrive early The bigger the event, the earlier to arrive. This could help calm your nerves some, but arriving early is also good for experienced players because you might need time to pay entry fees, renew (or purchase) chess memberships, or even chat with some chess friends before an event.

- Be prepared mentally and physically: ideal to have a good night rest the night before and to have a good breakfast (or Lunch/Dinner if the event is later in the day) before you play. If the time control is long enough, you might also consider bringing a water bottle, a cup of coffee, a small snack like a granola bar or whatever else for during the event. The key is something small though; it isn't usually good etiquette to be eating a full course meal at the chess board xD

@4
Good advice, but a few small remarks
"if you want to adjust or center a piece, without moving it, you must first clearly say "adjust" or "j'adoube".  If you don't, your opponent can claim touch move.  Say it just loud enough that there will be a witness." ++ You can only adjust when you have the move

'4.2.1      
Only the player having the move may adjust one or more pieces on their squares, provided that he first expresses his intention (for example by saying “j’adoube” or “I adjust”).'

"if your opponent is late, start their clock.  If you are white and your opponent is late, you can start the opponent's clock without making your move yet (when the opponent arrives, they push the clock, and then you move)."
++ This is no longer applicable.
'6.6      
At the time determined for the start of the game White’s clock is started.
6.7.1
The regulations of an event shall specify a default time in advance. If the default time is not specified, then it is zero. Any player who arrives at the chessboard after the default time shall lose the game unless the arbiter decides otherwise.'

https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/E012018

@6

"there is typically no talking"
'11.5
It is forbidden to distract or annoy the opponent in any manner whatsoever. This includes unreasonable claims, unreasonable offers of a draw or the introduction of a source of noise into the playing area.'

For valuable insights and helpful tips for those just embarking upon serious OTB (especially tournament) play, I suggest the following book.....with particular emphasis on chapters 2 and 3 (use Amazon's 'Look Inside' feature to view the table of contents)...

A Guide to Chess Improvement: The Best Of Novice Nook by Dan Heisman

 https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Chess-Improvement-Best-Novice/dp/1857446496/ref=sr_1_3?crid=194PC9MS6S582&keywords=dan+heisman+chess&qid=1662425220&s=books&sprefix=dan+heisman%2Cstripbooks%2C175&sr=1-3

link to Heisman's archived 'Novice Nook' columns (the article server may be slow, so have patience)...

https://web.archive.org/web/20140714190611/http://www.chesscafe.com/archives/archives.htm

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/dan-heisman-resources

finally, be sure to check out my Chess.com blog...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell

Thanks!  I probably should have noted that it's been 20+ years since I've played an OTB tournament.

@9
They changed a few things.
Now: you are late, you lose
Also you can no longer write down your move on your scoresheet before you play it.

I'm very glad to hear about that last change.  It used to bother me when my opponent would write their move down first, especially if it was a long time before actually playing the move -- it was distracting because I could see what they wrote, and would affect my thinking.  In some cases I thought it was intentional, like they had a clever move they were planning, but would write something else down to get me to waste my thinking time on something they were never intending to play.  More importantly, I think some were using it as a way of assisting their analysis, constantly writing down moves and crossing them off - in some cases I wondered if they were actually writing down lines.  It also made their scoresheet a total mess.

I started playing in OTB tournaments when I was in my mid-40s too. I’ve been playing in nearby tournaments and at my local club for about five years now, and it’s always great fun.

For me, and a couple of other older players that I know, the late start-time games are difficult. It’s always challenging to stay focused over the course of a long chess game, but especially so when the games don’t start until 6 or 7pm. I have lost many beautiful games because my brain suddenly ‘shuts off’ at about 9pm. 😄 As an attempt to counter this, I will take a 1/2-point bye for games that start in the evening (if the tournaments allow it). Instead, I get a good night’s sleep and am fresh for the next round the following day. 

@13
It is always difficult to adjust your biorhythm to the playing schedule.
Grandmasters usually adjust the time they go to bed and the time they rise
so that their game falls in the mid of their working day.