Nothing

I know the feeling! I played my first OTB tournament in September. Don't let the clock mess with your mind (like I did). This isn't blitz. Take a little time when you need to and don't give away the farm trying to move too fast. A 30 min or 1 hr game is a lot of time if you pre-analyze your moves while your opponent is working on his.

The other piece of advise I would give is don't get so caught up in what you're doing that you forget to watch what your opponent is doing! Easy way to get blindsided and lose.

Good Luck!!

I watched a guy do this in a tournament too. I tried to be a good sport about it when my opponent forgot...at least for the first couple of times anyway : )

Look at the board.

Yeah, what I'm scared about most is letting the clock mess with my mind, I just have to think I usually only play up to an hour, for the whole game

Stay nice and focused

U will do fine.Enjoy, make use of it as learning experience....

Be patient.  There is no point in attaining a losing position with an hour left on the clock, so take your time as needed until you are under approximately 15 minutes and then begin playing somewhat faster.  Your opponents will make mistakes so if you sustain pressure on your opponent good things will happen.

Develop your pieces, all your pieces.

Bring some eucalyptus.   That may not be provided.

Have fun.

Lol petrosianic, I was going to bring a snack, euctalyptus sounds great! jk I couldn't figure out a snack yet. I liked what you said about time too. I'll keep them in mind and hopefully I can remember my first tournament as a success

What time control is it? And is it USCF, FIDE, or scholastic? There are some rather big differences in the way I approach long time control games (2 hrs +) versus how I approach my shorter scholastic games (30-45 mins).

I would mainly just focus on touch move for your first OTB tournament. You come from online to OTB and you touch the wrong piece you can lose a game in one move.

Also, don't worry about it being a success. Just try to play the best moves that you can and learn while you're doing it. My first ever tournament I went 0-4, and I think that's the happiest I've ever been after a tournament.

make sure you say check really loudly, sometimes they cant hear over the background noise and will ignore you, so keep saying it until youre sure they hear you.

Whenever your opponent touches a piece be sure to say touch move, if you dont say it they can put the piece back down.

Keep well hydrated and eat something during the game for energy, I fin super crunchy chips to be a good option

I suggest you learn some phrases in another language, incase you get in an argument. Its always hard to argue with someone speaking a different language.

Good luck! 

Troll much????????????

Isn't it against USCF rules to say check?

It's not against the rules, but you definitely aren't required to.

Trust me if you are unrated you have a better chance of trolling rated players i got reported for cheating by a 1500 kid cuz i looked at the arbiter who just told someone else my name After winning the match.

haha, can you imagine the result of all of the above? itd have to be the most annoying player ever.

you'll be fine mate

Mine was only last december. My first USCF was 694, which is also the lowest I've ever been. But what I mean about enjoying it is important: 

My first tournamet - 0-4 club tournament playing for fun, I learned a lot and thought I played well

My last USCF tournament - 2-1-2 at Illinois open, including tough draws and losses against lower rated players from winning positions. I was frusterated and quite disappointed in my play.

- See, it's better when you just enjoy it, regardless of the results.

haha, thats disgusting. I remember playing some old guy once, who smelt horrible, had like a ton of spare change and keys in his pocket he would ratle, and constantly whistle. I think he was deaf so he didnt understand how loud it was, i didnt call the arbiter though, since i was going to win anyway.

If it's a long-duration game (which I suppose it isn't), you should definitely write down the game because it helps you commit less blunders. If it is a rapid game (like ~30 minutes), write if you are a fast player, else don't.

Play calmly and confidently, never let your opponent know you are nervous. Also, while close to the endgame, pick your captured queen up to intimidate your opponent. He'll think you're so sure about the endgame that you'll promote. :P

Because chess is a mind game involving use of the mind and scaring other minds. :P

P.S. Don't worry if you're playing a rated guy. Treat him like any other of your opponents.