Im going to my first ever OTB tournament in a weeks time

What do i need to know? (time control 25+0)

Here are my tips:

- Do lots and lots of puzzles: Puzzles will not only help pattern recognition but time management as well. I know people say it a lot, but it really does help

- Practice playing OTB: The more you do, the better prepared you are

- Aim for 10 moves in 5-10 minutes: Take your time with the opening, and any move in general

That's really all I would recommend as a newbie to OTB. I learned these things from my chess team, and I think it will help you too.

Good luck, and have fun!
- Rifishies

PS: Make sure to notate right. It definitely helps during the analysis of games.

1) No premoves allowed
2) You need to press the clock after you made your move
3) You`re only allowed to offer a draw after you made a move.
4) You can stop the clock to get another queen if there is no queen around.
5) Don`t forget to actually press the clock after you made a move.
6) Play some games OTB or just get used to move around a OTB board so you don`t feel so nervous once you get there (or get earlier there in advance)
7) Get there a bit earlier so you don`t need to think too much anymore and get nervous about registration process etc.
8) Enjoy the tournament, have fun!

@ChessDude30 Normally you don`t need to notate moves in Rapid OTB, it`s usually optional.

Ok thanks

I would advise you not to play bullet and pay attention to your time management. These are main rules for improvement, but also weaknesses of yours from what I see. I saw a few games of yours where in ten minute control endgame is achieved with 2 mins spent. Not only that affects your playing strength, but in a OTB 25+0 tournament it would mean that after each of your games you wait almost an hour for others to finish. It's an awful feeling to pay for a tournament, lose quick and spend your day waiting. Don't let this happen. I would argue that it's even better to have time trouble, then to wait all the time.

@jeffforever said in #3:
> 1) No premoves allowed
> 2) You need to press the clock after you made your move

And: you need to press the clock with the same hand you moved your piece.

When castling: move the King first. Then *with the same hand* move the rook. And press the clock with the same hand. Else, you make an illegal move. (Same when taking opponent pieces, or promoting: only use a single hand).

@Abigail-III said in #7:
> And: you need to press the clock with the same hand you moved your piece.
>
> When castling: move the King first. Then *with the same hand* move the rook. And press the clock with the same hand. Else, you make an illegal move. (Same when taking opponent pieces, or promoting: only use a single hand).

BTW, GMs sometimes use two hands to promote when they are in time pressure.

lichess.org/@/nsn21/blog/how-to-improve-your-strength-in-otb-tournaments/Vcy5lvUN Read this blog and follow the steps written by my experience.

@Nialz001 said in #1:
> What do i need to know? (time control 25+0)
Take a good rest before the tournament it would help you!