Your Child's First Chess Tournament: A Checklist for Parents
Last updated: October 2026
A child is usually ready for a first chess tournament once they know all the rules, can finish a full game on their own and can sit quietly for a whole game. Pick a section that matches their age or rating, pack water and a snack, and treat the day as practice, not a test.
Is my child ready for a first tournament?
Most children are ready when they can play a complete game without help and handle a loss without it ruining their day. Winning games is not a requirement; plenty of children lose most of their games at their first event and still enjoy it.
A quick readiness check:
They know how every piece moves, including castling and how pawns promote.
They can recognise check and checkmate without an adult pointing it out.
They can sit at a board for a full game and stay reasonably quiet.
They can play a game against someone new without getting upset.
They want to go. A child who is keen will get far more out of the day than one who is pushed.
If your child is not quite there, a few more weeks of classes and home games usually close the gap.
Which section should they enter?
Enter the section that matches your child's age or current rating. At Trainstein's NSWJCL-rated tournaments in Chatswood, the sections are U8, U10, U12, U400, U600 and Team, and entry is $50 per section.
As a general guide, the U8, U10 and U12 sections are named for age groups, while U400 and U600 are named for rating bands. For a first event, most children feel most comfortable playing others of a similar age or strength. If you are unsure which section fits, ask your child's coach or the organiser when you enter — it is a common question and there is no penalty for asking.
What happens on the day?
A junior tournament is a series of games against different opponents, with short breaks between rounds. Trainstein's rated tournaments run on most Sundays during school term, from 2:30 to 5:30 pm.
The general flow at most junior events looks like this:
Arrive a little early. Give your child time to find the room, go to the bathroom and settle before the first round.
Check the pairings. An organiser announces or posts who plays whom and on which board.
Play the game. Players shake hands, play, and shake hands again at the end.
Report the result. Children usually tell the organiser or arbiter the result when the game finishes.
Rest between rounds. This is the time for water, a snack and a quick word of encouragement.
Details such as check-in time, number of rounds and time control vary between events, so read the event information when you enter.
What are the basic manners at a chess tournament?
Good tournament manners are simple, and learning them is part of the fun. Practise them at home before the day so they feel natural.
Shake hands before and after the game, whatever the result.
Touch-move. If you deliberately touch one of your pieces, you move it. If you want to straighten a piece, say "adjust" first.
Stay quiet. Other games are still going on, so no talking during play.
Using a clock. If a clock is used, press it with the same hand you moved with, and press it gently.
Raise a hand for help. If something goes wrong or there is a disagreement, stop and ask the arbiter rather than arguing.
Leave quietly when your game ends, so nearby players are not distracted.
What should we bring? A checklist
Pack light, but pack the basics. A small bag your child can carry is enough.
A water bottle (clearly labelled).
A healthy snack for between rounds.
A pencil or pen, in case your child writes down their moves.
A jumper or light jacket — rooms can be cooler or warmer than expected.
Something quiet to do between rounds, such as a book or a puzzle.
Any glasses, medication or comfort items your child normally needs.
The entry confirmation and the start time, saved on your phone.
Leave electronic devices switched off or with a parent during play, as is standard at chess events.
How should I talk to my child after a loss?
Start with something they did well, then let them talk. Losing is part of learning chess, and how parents respond often matters more than the result.
Helpful things to say include "I liked how you kept going", "What was your favourite move?" or "What would you try next time?". Avoid replaying every mistake straight away. If your child wants to review the game, a coach or a quiet session later in the week is a better time. Your encouragement, especially after a hard day, is what makes children want to play the next tournament.
How do NSWJCL ratings come into it?
After a rated tournament, your child's results feed into their NSW Junior Chess League rating. Ratings are published at chessratings.com.au.
A first rating is just a starting point. It moves up and down with results, and it is normal for a new player's number to change a lot over their first few events. For a fuller explanation, see our NSWJCL ratings page.
Where can we play a first rated tournament in Chatswood?
Trainstein runs NSWJCL-rated tournaments in Chatswood on most Sundays in term, from 2:30 to 5:30 pm, and enrolled students receive one free NSWJCL-rated tournament entry per term.
Detail | Trainstein Sunday tournaments |
When | Most Sundays during school term |
Time | 2:30–5:30 pm |
Sections | U8, U10, U12, U400, U600, Team |
Entry | $50 per section |
Enrolled students | 1 free NSWJCL-rated entry per term |
Ratings | Published at chessratings.com.au |
See our tournaments page for upcoming dates. If your child is not yet ready, our chess classes include both teaching and supervised play, which is good preparation for tournament games.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter a Trainstein tournament? Entry is $50 per section. Students enrolled in Trainstein classes receive one free NSWJCL-rated tournament entry per term.
When are the Sunday tournaments in Chatswood? Most Sundays during school term, from 2:30 to 5:30 pm.
Which sections can my child play in? The sections are U8, U10, U12, U400, U600 and Team. Ask your coach or the organiser if you are unsure which one fits.
Where can I see my child's rating? NSWJCL ratings are published at chessratings.com.au.
What if my child loses every game? That is normal at a first tournament. Losing is part of learning, so praise their effort and focus on one thing to try next time.
Next step
If you have questions about a first tournament or which section to enter, call 0415 228 088, email trainsteinchess@gmail.com, or visit our contact page. We are at Level 1, 308 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood NSW 2067.
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