The first tournament is a big day, often bigger for parents than for children. A little preparation makes it calm, enjoyable and a great learning experience. Here is everything we tell families at ChessDotes 64 Squares before a first event.
In short
- Pick a short, local event for the first time.
- Practise with a clock and notation beforehand.
- No phones with players, and parents stay outside the playing hall.
- Judge the day by effort and learning, not points.
In this article
Choosing the right first tournament
Not all tournaments suit a beginner. For a first event, we suggest an age-group or unrated tournament close to home, played in one day. Long rated championships with strong opposition can be discouraging as a first experience.
Which event to choose
| Type of event | Good for a first tournament? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| School or academy tournament | Excellent | Familiar faces, short, low pressure |
| District age-group event | Very good | Players of similar age and level |
| Local rapid open | Good | Shorter games, one day |
| Multi-day FIDE-rated open | Wait | Long games, strong opposition, rating pressure |
Four weeks before: preparation
Before the tournament
Register early
Rated events in India need AICF registration. Do it early. See our rating roadmap.
Read the brochure
Note the venue, reporting time, number of rounds, time control, categories and prizes.
Practise with a clock
Play a few games with a chess clock at home or at the academy.
Practise notation
If the event requires writing moves, practise recording full games.
Play at the event’s speed
If the event is 30 minutes per player, practise at that speed.
The night before
- No late-night chess study. A good sleep matters more.
- Pack the bag (see below) and keep it by the door.
- Check the venue location and travel time.
- Remind your child: “Do your best and enjoy it.”
Tournament day bag
At the venue
Arrive early. Registration desks get busy. Check the pairings on the notice board or online: they show the board number and colour for each round.
Parents usually cannot stay in the playing hall. Once games start, you will wait in a parents’ area. This is normal and keeps the hall quiet.
No phones with players. Under FIDE rules, a player found with a phone in the playing area can lose the game. Some events allow a switched-off phone in a bag; if in doubt, keep your child’s phone yourself.
Only the arbiter settles disputes. If something goes wrong, your child should stop the clock and raise a hand. Parents should never enter the hall to intervene.
During the games: what children should remember
Between rounds
Win or lose, start with a hug and a snack, not “What happened?” Let your child talk when ready. Rest, eat something light, and avoid long analysis between rounds. A detailed review with the coach later is far more useful than analysis in the corridor.
For parents: Ask “What was the best move you played?” instead of “Did you win?” It keeps the focus on learning.
Handling results
Most children lose games in their first tournament. That is completely fine. After a first event, we celebrate three things: finishing every round, writing notation correctly, and learning one lesson from a lost game. Points and trophies come later.
After the tournament, bring the scoresheets to class and we’ll go through the key moments together. Here is how to review games yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What if my child loses every game?
It happens to many beginners. Focus on what they learned. Most children improve quickly after their first tournament.
Q. Can I watch my child play?
Usually not inside the playing hall once games start. Some events allow parents in for the first few minutes.
Q. What if the opponent is much older or stronger?
In open events this is normal. Your child learns a lot from stronger opponents.
Q. What if my child needs the toilet during a game?
They can go with their clock running. Arbiters are used to this with young children.
Q. How many tournaments should a beginner play?
One a month is plenty at the start. Good preparation matters more than quantity.
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