North Bristol Chess Club Code of Conduct

The North Bristol Chess Club (NBCC) Code of Conduct (CoC) defines the rules and expectations of behaviour for everybody attending NBCC events. This includes players, coaches, parents/guardians and other accompanying persons (e.g. non-chess playing siblings). Respect, good sportsmanship and fair play are NBCC’s core values.

The NBCC CoC is mandatory for all NBCC attendees. It is the responsibility of each NBCC attendee to familiarise themselves with and to then follow the NBCC CoC.

Any NBCC attendee found to be in contravention of the CoC may be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures as determined by the club executive committee. This may include being asked to leave the club.

The NBCC CoC is divided into two parts:

Looking after the LSSC facilities. NBCC are guests of Little Stoke Social Club (LSSC). LSSC is a superb venue for chess – the best in the league in our humble opinion – and LSSC have made us very welcome. NBCC has a good relationship with LSSC, and all chess club attendees have a responsibility to help keep it that way.
Chess etiquette. These simple guidelines ensure that NBCC provides an environment that is conducive both to good chess play, and for all attendees having an enjoyable experience.

LOOKING AFTER THE FACILITIES AT LITTLE STOKE SOCIAL CLUB

Each chess club attendee must treat the LSSC venue, LSSC staff and LSSC attendees with respect at all times.

Do not damage the LSSC building or furniture. The LSSC pool tables, dart boards and skittle alley are for adult LSSC members’ use only.

Food and drink are not to be consumed on the LSSC premises unless they have been purchased at LSSC, or unless LSSC have given permission for them to be brought in.

Children attending NBCC must be signed in and out of the LSSC venue by their parent/ guardian.

In addition to this CoC, all NBCC attendees must abide by LSSC’s Code of Conduct. Children attending LSSC and their parents/ guardians must also abide by LSSC’s Code of Conduct for Children. The LSSC CoCs are available to view on the LSSC notice boards.

CHESS ETIQUETTE

The rules of chess are simple, but like any other sport, chess has its unspoken etiquette to ensure respect, good sportsmanship and fair play. Whether you’re playing a social game at the club, or playing rated games in a tournament, understanding and following this etiquette is important. It makes the game enjoyable for everyone involved and helps you become a better player.

General Etiquette. This part applies to all chess games played at NBCC, or when representing NBCC at another venue:

Be polite, and get off to a good start. Greet your opponent in a pleasant way with a handshake.
Don’t boast, trash talk, or try to intimidate your opponent. Do not say anything that may offend or intimidate your opponent. Avoid expressions, body language or gestures that may offend or be intimidatory.
Don’t be annoying. It's important to respect your opponent at all times. Be mindful that it can be annoying and distracting if you talk to your opponent during a friendly game. If it’s a rated game, the expectation is that both players play silently. Afterwards, it's fine to discuss the game with your opponent and share thoughts but always do so in a constructive manner.

Don’t criticise your opponent’s moves or offer unsolicited advice during the game. Everyone has their own way of playing, and it's important to respect that. Don’t rush your opponent when they’re thinking by saying things like ‘hurry up,’ or making exasperated noises. Other annoying behaviour could include things like tapping a pencil, clicking your chess pieces against the table, kicking the table, humming, muttering, heavy breathing/ sighing, singing or talking to yourself. If your opponent is doing any of these things and doesn’t stop when you ask them, ask the person in charge to intervene.

If you’re watching other games, don’t talk, don’t crowd the players and don’t touch their table. After your game’s over, it’s always good to analyse your game with your opponent, but make sure you aren’t distracting other players. If other players are doing any of these things to your game, and do not stop when you ask them, ask the person in charge to intervene.
Keep Noise Down during League Matches. We often have to host social chess and rated matches in the same room. Everyone attending social chess needs to respect the quiet atmosphere that is essential for concentration for the rated match players.
Fair Play. Fair play is crucial. Always follow the rules of chess and avoid any behaviour that could be seen as cheating. You are prohibited to use any electronic devices, books, or notes during a match. Don’t ask others for advice during your games. (N.B. We know life gets in the way of chess sometimes. If you know before a rated game that you may need to take a phone call, then please clear it in advance with the person in charge. Otherwise, switch your phone off and enjoy the game.)

We use the ‘touch take’ rule. If you touch one of your pieces, it is expected that you move that piece. If you touch one of your opponent’s pieces, it is expected that you capture that piece. If you want to centre a piece that isn’t on its square properly, say ‘I adjust’ before you touch it. These practices help maintain the integrity of the game.

If you need clarification on any chess rules, ask the person in charge and they’ll help you.
Don’t argue with your opponent. If your opponent breaks a rule and does not correct the move when asked, or you disagree about the move, ask the person in charge to make a ruling.
Stay at or near your game when it’s in progress. You may of course leave to stretch your legs, use the toilet or get a drink. At most tournaments you are permitted to watch nearby games whilst your opponent is making their move. If you wish to leave because you are resigning, make that clear to your opponent.
Offering a Draw. If you wish to offer a draw, first make your move, then ask if your opponent would like a draw (and then hit your clock if you’re using one). Do not pressure your opponent to accept a draw offer. If the offer is rejected, it’s polite not to make any additional draw offers until the position has changed significantly.
Win with grace, lose with dignity. Always be gracious, whether you win or lose. Whatever the result, thank your opponent for a good game with a handshake. If you win, don’t belittle your opponent or celebrate in front of them. If you lose, consider it an opportunity to learn and improve your skills. Congratulating your opponent on a good game and accepting defeat with humility are signs of a great player.
Be Welcoming. It can be daunting coming to a chess club, particularly for newer players. Take responsibility for making it a friendly and enjoyable experience for everyone attending NBCC. Don’t just play your friends and ignore everyone else. If someone you don’t know well looks as though they’d like a game, please offer to play them. This will help your game too. The more different styles of player you encounter, the better at chess you’ll become.
Annual Subscriptions. Please pay the appropriate club subscriptions in a timely manner. Club membership is £25 per year for adults and £20 per year for juniors. The adult membership also includes annual membership of LSSC, and the junior membership includes annual membership of LSSC for a parent/ guardian. Club membership is discounted by £5 per year if the adult or junior’s parent/guardian has joined LSSC separately and paid that year’s LSSC membership.
To represent the club in the rated events, you will also need to join the English Chess Federation (ECF). Bronze membership is sufficient for representing a club in the Bristol & District Chess League, but some individual tournaments may charge bronze members an additional fee.
Supporting Chess-Friendly Venues. It is currently very challenging for chess clubs to find a good venue to call home. When you play at LSSC or another chess-friendly venue, please do try to purchase something from behind the bar. Every little helps.
Eating and Drinking. Having a drink during your games is fine. It’s considered impolite to eat during the game (not to mention the grease marks food leaves on our lovely equipment!). If you need to have a snack to hand for medical reasons, please clear it with the person in charge and with your opponent before the game starts.
Look After the Club’s Equipment. Chess equipment is expensive. Please take care not to break or lose the club’s equipment such as chess pieces, boards, clocks, or any of the club’s library of chess books. The club will provide blank scoresheets free of charge, although you are welcome to bring your own. For bonus points, please do make an effort to sometimes help set up or put away the equipment. Many hands make light work!

Social Chess Games. In general, our social games are more relaxed than rated games. Most players will be happy to talk and will tolerate distractions during the game. But, please respect the fact that some prefer to minimise distractions even during friendlies.

Rated Chess Games – League or Tournament Play. There are some additional rules and guidance that apply to rated games:

Notation. You need to write your moves down for rated games. If you don’t know chess notation, ask one of the senior players in the club and they’ll be happy to help you. If you make a mistake on your scoresheet during your game, you can ask to borrow your opponent’s scoresheet.
Clocks and Time Controls. You’ll need to use a chess clock for rated games. When it’s your turn, your clock will be ticking. Once you’ve made your move, hit the button: your side of the clock will stop, and your opponent’s side of the clock will start ticking instead.

Our rated games are usually ‘classical’ time controls. Each player is given 80 minutes plus a 10 second ‘increment’ (i.e. the clock gives you 10 seconds of bonus time every time you make a move and hit the button). This can be a long time for junior players, who have the option to play 55 minutes each plus the 10 second increment. It’s the team captain’s responsibility to notify our opponents in advance which rated games will be played under junior time controls.

We know that long classical games aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. As a club, we also hold blitz or rapid tournaments.

For friendly games, using a clock is optional, and the time controls can be whatever the players decide.
Saying ‘Check.’ This divides opinions throughout the chess world! Our take on it is that saying check is not required, but is considered polite, especially if you are playing with an inexperienced player. If you or your opponent announces checkmate, make sure both of you agree before moving any more pieces, resetting the board or going to the scorer’s table.
Which Hand to Use. Technically, you are supposed to only use one hand to move your pieces, and to use that same hand to press your clock.
Castling. Remember to always move your king first when castling. If you move the rook first, your opponent is within their rights to say you’re not allowed to complete the castling manoeuvre.
Talking in the Playing Area. Once your game has started, you should only speak to say check (optional), checkmate, make a draw offer, point out an illegal move, make an adjustment, or to talk with the person in charge if you need to. Once your game has finished, please keep noise in the playing area to a minimum so as not to distract other players. There’s plenty of space at the club to find a quiet corner to have a good chat with your opponent and other players to analyse your games.