What is chess etiquette?
Hmm... Good question.
Chess Etiquette demonstrate good sportsmanship and promotes a comfortable environment free of hostilities and grievances. Chess Etiquette includes some traditions and courtesies which are unique to the game of chess and are often included as rules requiring strict adherance at clubs or tournaments. Also included below are some points of courtesy which should be obvious, but are listed here due primarily to the young age of many scholastic players...
Chess Etiquette
- Especially in tournaments, it is customary to shake hands and wish your opponent "Good Luck" before starting. (Odd, in a game where luck is not a factor, but a tradition and courtesy none the less).
- Shake hands after the game.
- Never touch your opponent's pieces except when capturing.
- Do not hide or obscure captured pieces.
- Refrain from suggesting moves and/or pointing out aspects of the game to your opponent unless you're the instructor/coach.
- Spectators should not talk at all.
- Do not obsure the board (by leaning over it, holding your hand over it, etc.) during play.
- Moving, capturing, and pressing the clock button should all be done with the same hand.
- Turn sequence should be:
- Record move (if recording game),
- Make move,
- Push button on clock (if using a clock).
- Do not slam pieces down, or slap the clock button with excessive force.
- Never yell, knock over pieces, etc.
- Avoid distracting noises such as humming, whistling, tapping fingers, kicking the table/chair, etc.
For "Friendly" Games:
- In friendly games, touch-move should be declared if it is to be enforced.
- In friendly games, take-backs may be allowed when a single move blunder occurs and both players consent.
- When possible, players should alternate between black and white, for a first or single game, there are three 'traditions':
- The guest is offered a choice, or
- The guest plays white for the first game, or
- One player "picks a hand" containing either a black or white pawn.
For Online Games:
- Do not use your chess program and/or database for analysis!
- Any use of chess books should be agreed to by both players before play begins.
For Postal or E-mail Games:
- Anything goes!
(Books, programs, databases, humans, Deep Blue, etc.)
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