In
this code, "coach" refers to coaches, school officials, parents,
and spectators at a scholastic chess tournament. Players are also
required to observe these rules.
1.
Every coach,
school official, parent, and other person attending a scholastic chess
tournament should get a copy of this Code of Conduct, read it, and follow it.
2.
A chess team coach has
extremely limited responsibilities during a tournament game. Once a player’s
game is in progress, a coach cannot interrupt it or talk to that player. Only a
Tournament Director (TD) or an assistant may intervene.
3. A coach should never
directly assist any player. Any coach who sees a player's hand raised should
immediately try to obtain a TD, without investigating why the hand was raised.
4.
A coach who observes an
illegal move or position should not say anything, as it is the responsibility of
the players to bring violations of this nature to the attention of a TD.
5.
A coach should never
say or do anything if a player oversteps the time limit, as only that person’s
opponent can make a time‑violation claim.
6.
Coaches should:
(a)
View games only from behind their players, or in the aisle, so as to
avoid eye contact.
(b)
Not touch the table or chairs the players are using.
(c)
Remain outside a
"radius of distraction."
(d)
Have each player leave the
table when that person’s game ends.
7. Players may leave their games for short periods. While absent from the game, a player must not consult any chess books, diagrams, or analysis. A player may not discuss a game in progress with anyone. Conversation with a teammate is forbidden except with a TD present.
8.
A coach who sees a player
or team playing the wrong opponent should notify a TD immediately.
9. Only tournament officials can record information on wallcharts; coaches or players should never write on them. A coach who notices an error on the wallchart should bring it to the attention of a TD only.
10.
Coaches should make sure
their players' results are reported in a timely manner.
(a)
In team tournaments, results are recorded on the "Team Card" at
the playing table.
(b) In individual tournaments, a result is recorded on the "Pairings Sheet," or given to a TD. (The TD will instruct players on how to report their results in individual tournaments.)
11.
After the conclusion of a
tournament, a coach who notices that a prize was incorrectly awarded should
bring this to the attention of a TD only.
12.
Other coaching duties
include:
(a)
Helping their players find the correct table and boards.
(b)
Supervising their players between rounds.
(c)
Keeping their players from being disruptive.
(d)
Modeling and encouraging good sportsmanship.
13.
Attendees may be
prohibited from bringing food or drink into the tournament room.
14.
All scholastic chess
tournaments are nonsmoking.