Player Guide
Whether you are a seasoned tournament player or sitting down for your first rated game, TournaChess makes it easy to register, follow along, and review your results. This guide walks you through every step of the tournament experience, from registration to checking your final standings.
Registering for a Tournament
Your tournament director or chess club will share a registration link for the event -- you might receive it in an email, a group chat, or posted on a flyer at your local club. Click the link and you are taken straight to the registration page, which shows the event details, available sections, and entry fees.
Fill out the form and you are in. What you see depends on how the organizer has configured the event.
Guest Registration
You do not need a TournaChess account to register. Guest registration lets you sign up by entering your name and, optionally, your USCF ID or FIDE ID. This is especially convenient if you are a walk-in or visiting a club for the first time. Your tournament director handles the rest.
Registered User Registration
If you have a TournaChess account, signing in before you register has some advantages:
- Your name and chess IDs are filled in automatically.
- You are able to register for tournaments that have been marked as private to members of a TournaChess club.
Choosing a Section
Most tournaments have one or more sections based on rating or skill level. During registration you will choose which section to play in. Common examples include:
- Open -- anyone can enter regardless of rating
- Under 1600 -- for players rated below 1600
- Under 1000 -- for players rated below 1000
If you are unsure which section is right for you, ask your tournament director. They can help you find the best fit.
Custom Fields
Some tournament organizers include additional questions on the registration form. You might be asked for an emergency contact number, your school name, a t-shirt size, or other event-specific information. Required fields are marked clearly, so you will know what is needed.
Payment
Some tournaments charge an entry fee. If there is a fee, you will see the amount displayed during registration before you complete the process. There are no surprises.
Online Payment
TournaChess uses Stripe for secure online payment. You can pay with any major credit or debit card. The payment happens right on the registration page -- enter your card details, confirm, and you are done.
In-Person Payment
Some organizers allow you to pay at the venue instead of online. If this option is available, you will see it during registration. Select the in-person payment option and settle up with the tournament director when you arrive.
Confirmation
After you register, you will receive an email confirmation with a summary of your registration. The confirmation includes the event name, the section you entered, and your payment status. Keep this email handy in case you need to reference it later.
Note: If you do not see a confirmation email, check your spam folder. If it is still missing, view the registered players list on the tournament page to verify your registration went through.
Before the Tournament
Once you are registered, the tournament page becomes your go-to resource for pre-event information.
Viewing the Entry List
The entry list shows all registered players along with their ratings and sections. This is a great way to see who else is playing and get a sense of the field.
Requesting Byes
If you know you will miss a specific round, many tournaments allow you to request a bye in advance. A bye means you sit out that round and may receive a partial point (typically a half-point), depending on the tournament rules. Request your byes during registration if possible. There will be a section for that if bye requests are allowed. Contact your tournament director if you need to request a bye after you have registered.
Tip: Request byes as early as possible. It helps the tournament director plan pairings and keeps the event running smoothly.
Withdrawing
Plans change. If you can no longer attend, you can withdraw your registration before the tournament starts. Visit the tournament page and look for the withdraw option. If the event has an entry fee and you need a refund, contact your tournament director directly.
During the Tournament
This is where things get exciting. TournaChess keeps you informed in real time as the tournament unfolds. The tournament page is your home base throughout the event -- check it for pairings, standings, and round updates.
Viewing Pairings
When the tournament director starts a round, the pairings appear on the tournament page. Your pairing tells you three things:
- Board number -- which board to sit at
- Opponent -- who you are playing
- Color -- whether you have the White or Black pieces
Find your name in the pairings list, head to your board, and shake hands. If you are not sure where to sit, look for board numbers posted at the tables or displayed on the venue screen.
Live Standings
Standings update in real time as the tournament director enters results. After each round, you can check your score, your tiebreak points, and where you stand in the field. There is no waiting for a printout -- just refresh the tournament page on your phone.
QR Codes at the Venue
Many tournament directors display a QR code on a projector or TV screen at the venue. Scan it with your phone's camera to jump straight to the tournament page. From there you can view pairings, standings, and the round schedule without needing to find the link in your messages.
After the Tournament
When the final round wraps up, the tournament page becomes a permanent record of the event.
Final Standings and Results
View the complete final standings including every player's score, tiebreak points, and final placement. You can also see a round-by-round breakdown of results -- who played whom, what the results were, and how the standings evolved.
Rating Updates
For USCF-rated events, your tournament director submits the results to the US Chess Federation. Your official rating will typically update within a few days of submission. You can check your updated rating on the USCF website.
For FIDE-rated events, a similar process applies. Your tournament director submits results to FIDE, and your FIDE rating updates according to the FIDE calendar (usually monthly).
Note: Rating updates are handled by USCF and FIDE, not by TournaChess. Contact your tournament director with any questions about the expected timeline for submitting results to these organizations.
Performance Ratings
The tournament page may display your performance rating for the event. A performance rating reflects how you played relative to your opponents' ratings in that specific tournament. It is a useful snapshot even if your official rating has not updated yet.
Account Features for Players
While you can participate in tournaments without an account, creating one unlocks several convenient features.
Account Settings
From your account settings you can:
- Update your name and email address
- Add or change your USCF ID, FIDE ID, or Chess.com account
- Create and manage player profiles for family members (useful if you are a parent registering children for tournaments)
Account Deletion
You have full control over your data. If you want to delete your account, you can do so at any time from your account settings. When you delete your account:
- All personal information (name, email, chess IDs) is permanently removed
- Tournament results remain in the historical record for rating integrity
- This action is irreversible, so make sure it is what you want before confirming
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an account to play in a tournament?
No. You can register as a guest for any tournament that allows public registration. An account is optional but gives you features like automatic form filling. The one exception is that only registered users can enter tournaments that are marked as private to members of a TournaChess club.
How do I know what section to enter?
Check the section descriptions on the tournament page. They usually list a rating range or eligibility requirement. If you are still unsure, ask your tournament director -- they will point you to the right section.
What if I need to leave early?
Let your tournament director know as soon as possible. They can withdraw you from future rounds. Depending on the tournament rules, you may receive a zero-point bye or a forfeit for any unplayed rounds.
Can I register for a tournament after it has started?
This is up to the tournament director. TournaChess supports it. Check with your tournament director if you are unsure.
How do I find my board number?
Your board number is listed in the pairings on the tournament page. At the venue, boards are typically numbered with table tents or labels. You can also check the venue display screen if one is available.
What is a bye?
A bye is a round where you do not play a game. There are different types:
- Requested bye -- you asked to sit out a round, and the tournament director granted it (usually worth a half-point, but policies vary)
- Pairing bye -- the tournament has an odd number of players, so one person sits out (usually worth a full point)
- Zero-point bye -- you requested a bye beyond the limit allowed by tournament rules to earn a 1/2 point, so you receive a zero-point bye instead.
Your tournament director determines bye policies for each event.
I registered but did not get a confirmation email. What do I do?
First, check your spam or junk folder. If the email is not there, visit the tournament page and check the entry list to see if your name appears. If you are listed, your registration went through. If not, contact your tournament director for help.
Need Help?
If you have questions about a specific tournament, your tournament director is your best resource. They can help with registration issues, section placement, bye requests, and anything else related to the event.
For account-related questions or technical issues with the TournaChess platform, visit your account settings or visit our Contact page to get in touch with TournaChess support.