Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield Chess Club Frequently Asked Questions

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Questions	Answers
Do I need to be a member to come to a meeting?	No. Meetings are free and open to the public.
What should I bring to the meeting?	Bring a board and set if you have one. If you don't have one, another person may have one you can borrow for the evening.
Do you have a scholastic program?	We're working on it. The club's scholastic director offers lessons to kids, click here for details. Kids are welcome to play in our tournaments, but they should not expect any kind of special treatment or discounts.
How do I join the club?	You may join online, or mail in a check and a membership form, whichever you prefer. You may also bring the form to a meeting and give it to a club officer; cash and checks are accepted.
How much are club dues?	Currently, $12/year for adult members and $5/year for scholastic members. If you are a first time member and join with paper forms, your dues may be pro-rated; click here.
What do I get as a club member?	Club members receive a quarterly newsletter and, in most cases, a discount on tournament registration fees.
Where can I get a good chess set?	Regulation chess sets (Staunton style) may be ordered by mail or internet from various suppliers, including the US Chess Federation. Lightweight, hollow sets are not ideal for serious play, although they are better than no set at all.
Are donations to the club tax-deductible?	No. The club will be happy to accept a donation, but it will not be tax-deductible.
Can I advertise my tournament on your site?	Maybe. We may post information about a tournament in or near Springfield at our discretion. If you wish to make us aware of such a tournament, contact us. The club will not forward third party advertisements to its emailing list for any reason.
I have a business proposal. What do you think?	If it involves us paying you, just throw it in the trash.
Do I need to be a member to play in a tournament?	You must be a member of the US Chess Federation to play in a rated tournament. No other memberships are required, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
What should I bring a tournament?	Bring chess equipment (board, set, and clock) and proof of membership in the US Chess Federation.
How, and when, do I register for a tournament?	You may register online, at least five days before the tournament. Or, mail in a check and a registration form. It must be received by the day before the tournament. Or, bring the form to the tournament and give it to the director; cash and checks are accepted.
Did you receive my advance registration?	Check here. Note that this list is updated by hand, so even if you register online, it may take a day or two for your name to appear.
When should I arrive at the tournament?	Plan on arriving at least 30 minutes before the first round. Allow more time if it's your first tournament, or if you don't know exactly where you're going.
This is my first tournament, how does it work?	Click here for a basic primer. Don't be nervous. All of us were beginners once.
I lost my first game. Am I eliminated?	No! We do not hold elimination tournaments. Unless you withdraw, we'll keep you in the tournament.
How do you determine who I play against?	Most of our rated tournaments use the Swiss System to determine pairings, although exceptions such as round robins may exist.
I need to leave early. What if I win something?	Be sure the tournament director has your address. If you win anything, we will mail it to you.