First tournament tomorrow

My first tournament is tomorrow at 6 pm (5 round 25 + 5 seconds incrament per move), its CFC rated.

Just some questions, can people quickly tell me the rules during a chess match (i know most rules i just gotta make sure), and when to go to bed, what to eat drink etc.., could i do some opening preparation tonight and tomorrow after school before i go? And add anything you feel like, thanks!

Try to calm down and consentrate on your game, first time in a tournament there is many things that could disturb you...

-All the people (some are strange)

-Your opponent (some does strange things, and could try some dirty tricks)

-The chess clock (Don't relay on using a clock you are used too)

-The chear's, the space, the light and the air...

So try to relax, tournaments is nothing like playing at home.

Ja iskreno nemam pojma o tim pravilima, ali bih voleo da znam sta si uradio kada odigras tvije partije. Mozda neku mozes da postavis i ovde.

Just relax and try and enjoy it.  If your playing touch move you have to move that piece though.  And remember to hit the clock after your move. 

Don't try to cram the night before. It's best to have all your prep done the week before, and just relax and train lightly the week before the tournament.

Light meals, snack healthy during the tournament. Be well-rested.

Take it easy and let your chess brain work in a calm state. The good results will follow naturally.

Rules: touch move, you touch a piece you move it.  Hit your clock after you make your move.  Write down the moves of yours and your opponent.  Best to write it down after the move was just made.  Don't annoy your opponent.  No talking, unless you want to say check, which is optional, or offer a draw after you have made your move.  Just don't eat a big meal just before the game.  Openining preparation would be good, one idea as White and one idea as Black, but be prepared for your opponent not to play the accepted move you thought he might play.  Relax.  Watch only your game.  Think about defense before offense.  Ask yourself "why did he just move there and what is the threat" on all of his moves.  Don't rush the game, but don't take so long that you might lose on time.  Look at forced moves first.  Look at tactical combinations or sacrifices, but manage your time well.  Have a plan.  Develop you pieces quickly and castle early.  Try to gain space on the board.  Put your pieces on squares that attack the most area.  Be greedy and take a pawn or piece if it is free.  Accept a gambit pawn for now and let your opponent prove it was good or not.  Never assume your opponent made a blunder.  Think it through and don't fall for any trap.  If you are up in material, it is safe to trade major pieces.  If you are down in material, try to avoid exchanging pieces.  Always look for check and possible mate threats for both sides.  Do your more imaginative thinking on your opponent's time.  Try to find all the possible candidate moves and rule out the bad moves first.  Have fun.

Make sure your portable Rybka is secured in one of the bathroom stalls tonight. Do not spend time studying when you have to get over to the tournament hall with Rybka and duct tape. When you get to the playing area tomorrow complain to anyone who will listen about how you woke up with diarrhea. Go to the bathroom often during your game in the previously chosen stall. Remember, Rybka is not programmed to change stalls.

Thanks all, these are all helpful :D

And tryst, i will find a portable Rybka, thanks for you help

And yes i will post some games (if they are good) on here, i have not signed up and will do so at the tournament so theres not always a chance ill play tomorrow (90% chance)

suggestion:

     if your opponent chances to make an illegal move, it is obligatory that YOU call it or accept it.  If you call it, and he wants to dispute you, you must know how to stop the clock.    Procedure:  you stop the clock and summon a TD to arbitrate the dispute.    If you win the dispute, you will get added time on your remaining time.  You may need a complete score sheet to prove the claim.

   IF YOU ARE USING HIS CLOCK, be certain, before the game starts, that he demonstrates to you how to stop the clock without changing the time remaining.

    In order to make a claim, you MUST have a complete scoresheet, USCF rules:  with no more than 2 incomplete/inaccurate moves. (not sure what FIDE says on this, but find out before you start play, and keep an accurate scoresheet).

    neither player is required to keep score when either has less than 5 minutes remaining (USCF Rule) but without a complete scoresheet, you CAN NOT prove repetition of position or meet the 50 moves without a pawn move requirement to show 'no progress' to claim a draw.

My pleasure, SerbianChessStar Good luck!

Place one of the pawns that you capture behind the clock out of sight. Some players habitually count the material on the board by looking at what's been captured. If somthing is hidden, they migtht become reckless thinking they are a pawn ahead.

 ROFL, some people try to count in there heads, but good advice, but they will see me putting it behind the clock!

When you make the capture, keep the pawn in your hand, switch it to your off hand under the table (your opponent will be staring at the board anyway) and hit clock, write down move.  Then while he's thinking, casually reach up behind the clock at some point to release the pawn.

Yeah, that's probably going to too much trouble to be sneaky.  I never count off the board anyway -- best advice is to play your game.  Relax, enjoy each game, don't cram the night before.  If sugar or caffeine make you crash later, avoid them :)

no chocolate.

*personal experience.

I tend to know immediately when I am up or down a pawn.