Going to chess club for the first time?

Hello Everyone,

I am 17 years old and going to chess club tonight. Just a couple of questions I hope some more experienced chess players can answer.

What do I need to bring (In detail)?

Do I need a score sheet?

How long do games normally take in club play?

What kind of board do clubs play with?

As a new attendee how will I be treated?

Many, Many Thanks!

Abdullah.

hmm well things are quite a bit different in the us afaik, but some things I would think are pretty standard.  I would take a pen to record moves, and a brain to make moves.  My club here has scoresheets that I can use or even a scorebook.  You might like to take a piece of paper either just in case, or if you need to make any notes/reminders about stuff to do with the club. 

Your games question probably varies.  Here official rated games are 3 hour sessions.  But we can play games with no clocks or whatever time controls we like if we are playing friendly games.  Probably 30mins each is fairly normal, and probably blitz isnt uncommon. 

The board may be bigger than you are used to if you have only played with 'toy' chess sets.  They're nearly always green and white(ish) or brown and white(ish) and not black and white.   They will be either fold up or sometimes rollup I expect.  The pieces will likely be plastic and King size is probably going to be 95mm although I have played with larger set/board which felt kinda weird. You may have either analogue clocks with little brass buttons on them, or digital clocks with a big white switch. 

As a new attendee you will be beaten up on arrival bound hand and foot, and locked in the toilet.  er, I mean, welcomed with open arms. 

Chess club hazings are down 22% this decade.

(I'll never forget when I had to "Kiss the Maiden" all those years ago)

Reported; grow up idiot.

My advice:

• Don't rush your moves, be patient and keep your composure.

• You shouldn't need to take any materials, it's very unlikely you will be playing a serious/rated game on your first night.

• Chat to and learn from the other players.

• Have fun.

A

Depending on the club, you may need to bring your own chessboard.  It's not nessecary to bring a chess clock or score sheet, but they are nice to have.  I do remember one occasion where I recorded my moves around a patzer and he asked me to stop because it intimidated him

Depending on your opponent, games generally take 30 minutes to 2 hours.  Don't be afraid to ask to use a chess clock if you are afraid a game might drag on too long.

Generally chess clubs will use cheap boards.  My club uses laminated paper boards with full sized plastic pieces, sets costing about $15cdn each (we got a mass purchase deal).  Chess clubs often are short on cash, and nobody wants to risk losing expensive wooden pieces.  If you want to bring your own set, anything you bring should be ok.

How you are treated depends entirely on the club of course.  But a good club will at least ask you your skill level, and pair you with an appropriate opponent.  If they don't do this, simply ask other players ratings, or if you feel uncomfortable with this watch the other people play to guage their skill level.  When you find a similarly leveled opponent, ask "may I play a game with you?"

One piece of advice though: be friendly