Unfortunately, they changed the rules a little bit. You're no longer allowed to writed down your move before you play it.
Otherwise, good luck to you!
First USCF Tournament
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Feb 6, 2013
0
#3
I had a blast, won the first match.
It came down to this endgame tactic/blunder.
Feb 6, 2013
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#5
Nice! What a cool endgame. I rarely ever get positions where an endgame I studied applies so spectacularly. For instance, never had a chance to flex my mating with 2 bishops technique!
I guess KP basic endings make regular appearances but this one is neat.
Feb 6, 2013
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#6
Estragon wrote:
Part of the excitement of OTB tournaments is that the slightest misstep can cost the game at any time.
As Tartakower said, "The winner of a game of chess is the player who makes the next-to-last mistake."
LOL, so true. My opponent was a good sport, I told him I got lucky, because he missed the draw. He told me with wry smile and a twinkle in his eye...
"There is no such thing as luck in chess"
Estragon wrote:
Part of the excitement of OTB tournaments is that the slightest misstep can cost the game at any time.
As Tartakower said, "The winner of a game of chess is the player who makes the next-to-last mistake."
Doesn't that also exist in online chess?
Thanks for posting that 3X3 pawn tactic. I admit I hadn't seen that before, but now that I have I've learned something.
Feb 9, 2013
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#10
Really illustrative K+Ps end game. As well as the "breakthrough" idea, the importance of queening a pawn with check and choosing the right moment to capture are key to the overall analysis.
Feb 9, 2013
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#12
FirebrandX wrote:
jempty_method wrote:
ColoradoCowboy wrote:
TALminator wrote:
Unfortunately, they changed the rules a little bit. You're no longer allowed to writed down your move before you play it.
Otherwise, good luck to you!
Incorrect. Those using paper scoresheets may write their moves before playing the move. TDs do not have to announce this variation in advance. 99.9% of USCF TDs allow this, and I haven't heard of any incidents to the contrary.
Incorrect. The world does not rotate around the USCF. FIDE rules require moving first, then writing down the move.
However, the USCF does rotate around the USCF. As such, the OP will be going to a USCF tournament.
U.S. Chess Federation rule 15A (modified October 2006) states:
"The player must first make the move, and then record it on
the scoresheet."
Feb 9, 2013
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#13
FirebrandX wrote:
TALminator wrote:
U.S. Chess Federation rule 15A (modified October 2006) states:
"The player must first make the move, and then record it on
the scoresheet."
Read post #18 please.
I'm not sure where the statement 99.9% TDs allow this came from. TDs are required to follow the rules.
Wow, you actually got to play that textbook g6 thing? 
Feb 9, 2013
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#15
AndyClifton wrote:
Wow, you actually got to play that textbook g6 thing?
Yes! I got to play that textbook g6 thing...
Bit of a blooper though.
Feb 9, 2013
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#16
Estragon wrote:
Yes, the rule was changed to be in conformity with the FIDE rules.
It is also true that many players continue to ignore it. In the US, the TDs seldom monitor individual games because they can't do it for all the games, so enforcement of many rules is up to the players. If you do not complain, the TD has no way of knowing the opponent is violating.
Personally I would complain to the TD if an opponent was doing this. There was a good reason the rule was changed.
The most recent rule updates allow for either variation (USCF rules of course) as mentioned in a post above. Actually, that has been the case for at least the last two rules updates (1/1/2012 and 1/1/2013).
So any TD that is up on the rules allow the player to write down the move first. I would say many TDs don't make sure they keep up-to-date on the rule changes.
Pertinent section of the updates:
15A. (Variation I)
Paper scoresheet variation.
The player using a paper scoresheet may first make the move, and then write it on the scoresheet, or vice versa. This variation does not need to be advertised in advance
.
The scoresheet shall be visible to the arbiter (tournament directors) and
the opponent throughout the game.
TD TIP
:
TDs may penalize a player that is in violation of 20C. "Use of notes prohibited" if the player is first writing the move and repeatedly altering that move on their scoresheet before completing a move on the board
If you want to verify it yourself, it can be found on the USCF site here (PDF).
Actually, locally I can play up inthe Open Section, whichis FIDE rated. I do that sometimes and get great competition.
Feb 9, 2013
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#18
We get some FIDE ratable tourneys in my area (something I might attend); Tulsa and OKC and I think some of the St. Louis ones. Actually had one in Springfield, MO once, though I think the overall costs make it a little prohibitive.
As to my earlier reply, it was specifically in answer to the quoted post. I don't deny that a tourney that is FIDE rated would be ran by FIDE rules. Just that the USCF rules encompass what is in the rule book and the rules update that gets updated, usually at the beginning of the year.
Feb 9, 2013
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#19
In England, the rules follow the FIDE regulations on this point, although in minor tournaments and leagues I'd say it's not strictly enforced. When I came back to chess a few years ago after 25 years break, one of the first things I had to do on playing a graded game was to "unlearn" the habit that had been drummed into me as a junior to write my move down first.
At a tournament last weekend, my daughter's opponent was writing down the moves first and when she pointed out it was against the rules, he got angry. He started doodling on his scorepad "in protest". My daughter saw the funny side of it, but a complaint to the arbiter of offputting behaviour would not have been inappropriate.
Typically I just ignore it if my opponent writes down the moves first, although in one game my opponent had written down a whole line of about 6 to 8 half moves before it was played, which surely would be against any rules (even USCF). Since it was effectively the winning combo for me, I didn't make a fuss even about that though.
I'll be playing in the first round of my first USCF rated tourament tomorrow (swiss/90 minutes). There are several unrated players, 1400's, 1600's, 1800's and several 2000+ players.
Here's what I wont do.
1. Be afraid
2. Be timid
3. Second guess a good sac
4. Touch a peice before I write down my move
I will
1. Look three maybe four moves deep every time
2. Play sound openings and look for tactics
3. Bring my A game
4. Remember my endgame lessons
5. Be a little nervous
:Thumbs Up