Free guides and expert strategies for schools, clubs, pubs and cafes hosting chess tournaments.
No coding, no hosting fees. Get your club a web page Google can find, with event listings, online registration and live results, in about 5 minutes.
Read ArticleThe round-robin tiebreak, worked through by hand. Full points for wins, half for draws, and why it rewards beating the stronger players. Plus how it differs from Buchholz.
Read ArticleReal minute ranges for bullet, blitz, rapid and classical, plus the simple sum for the longest a single game can run. From 90 seconds to six hours.
Read ArticleTouch a piece, move it. How the touch-move rule works, the j'adoube exception, castling and promotion, and how to settle a dispute at your event.
Read ArticleBullet is under 3 minutes, blitz is 3 to 10, rapid is 10 to 60. Where FIDE and Chess.com draw the lines differently, why your ratings differ, and which format to play or host.
Read ArticleBonus time adds extra seconds to your clock after every move, so you are not flagged in a winning position. How increment works, how it differs from delay, and why it exists.
Read ArticleSwiss-Manager is the FIDE standard, but it costs real money. What it does well, what the license costs, and the free browser-based alternative for casual events.
Read ArticleTwo players tie on points, so who wins? Buchholz decides. A plain-English walkthrough of how the tiebreak is calculated, worked through with one simple club example.
Read Article10/5 means 10 minutes each plus a 5 second increment per move. A plain-English guide to reading chess clock notation, plus what 3/2, 5/0 and 15/10 mean.
Read ArticleThe best free chess club software compared. Swiss pairings, QR player join, live standings, and a TV display. No download or signup required.
Read ArticleCheckers (draughts) uses the same Swiss pairing system as chess. Step-by-step guide to organizing a checkers tournament for any group, with free software that handles pairings and standings automatically.
Read ArticleGuía paso a paso en español para organizar un torneo de ajedrez gratis desde cero. Sin conocimientos previos, sin software de pago. Empieza en menos de dos minutos.
Leer artículoVega Chess is a free, FIDE-compatible desktop tournament manager by Luigi Forlano. Honest review of what it does well, where it falls short, and when a browser-based tool is the better fit.
Read ArticleA recurring league beats a one-off event. Set up weekly office chess with running standings, divisions, and a season champion your coworkers chase.
Read ArticleWin and advance, lose and you are out. How single and double elimination work, how to size your bracket, handle byes for odd player counts, seed by rating, and build it all with a free bracket generator.
Read ArticleSplit the room into two teams, Team A vs Team B. How team pairings, scoring and tie breakers work, and how to set it up in minutes. Great for class vs class, office vs office, or pub team nights.
Read ArticleOnline and over-the-board chess compared, plus a step-by-step guide to running a hybrid event where both groups compete in one combined standings table.
Read ArticleHow do chess tiebreaks work? A plain-English guide to Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger, and more, with worked examples and which one to use for your event.
Read ArticleBullet, blitz, rapid and classical made simple. How to read notation like 10+5, increment vs delay, and the best time control to pick for your tournament.
Read ArticleGet children hooked on chess with fun beginner mini-games, the right first lessons, and a school chess club structure that keeps them coming back all year.
Read ArticleHonest review of the best free chess tournament tools in 2026. Side-by-side comparison of pairing software, bracket generators, and organizer apps for pubs, clubs, and schools.
Read ArticleWhat a Swiss system tournament is and how it works: brackets, rounds, byes, and tiebreaks, with worked examples for chess, esports, and card games.
Read ArticleTen ready-to-use activity ideas for school chess clubs: tactics races, blitz sessions, mini-tournaments, peer teaching, Chess960, and more. Works for all ages and skill levels.
Read ArticleTouch-move, illegal moves, time controls, etiquette, and dispute resolution explained in plain language. Includes a one-page rules template you can read aloud before Round 1.
Read ArticleFree tools for teachers and coordinators: Swiss pairings, student certificates, and live standings in minutes. No IT department required.
Read ArticleRun chess tournaments from your phone. Free Swiss pairings, QR player join, and live standings on any device, no download required.
Read ArticleGenerate Swiss pairings for free in seconds. No spreadsheets, no downloads. Handles byes, rematches, and live standings automatically.
Read ArticleQR code player join, TV display mode, Swiss pairings, free for events up to 9 players at your chess club. No download, no training required.
Read ArticleNever organised a chess event before? This reassuring step-by-step guide gets you from zero to first pairing. No chess knowledge required.
Read ArticleTrophies, certificates, gift cards, and creative awards: prize ideas for school, pub, club, and office chess tournaments at every spend level.
Read ArticleWhich chess tournament tools are genuinely free, and which are trials or freemium? A clear breakdown so you know exactly what you're getting.
Read ArticleThe exact number of rounds for any player count: Swiss, Round Robin, or Knockout. Quick-reference tables, real examples, and the formula that makes it simple.
Read ArticleSwiss or round robin? The right format depends on player count, time, and skill mix. A clear guide for teachers who need to choose and get it right.
Read ArticleLaunch an ongoing school chess club from scratch. Get admin approval, recruit students, run weekly sessions, and host monthly tournaments that keep members coming back all year.
Read ArticlePubs are empty on Tuesdays. Chess players are always looking for a place to play. Here's how to fill tables and drive revenue.
Read ArticleCoffee shops are the original 'Third Place'. Build a sticky community of regulars who treat your shop like a second home.
Read ArticleRaise $2,000+ for your cause with a chess fundraiser. Entry fees, sponsorship tiers, raffle ideas, and a complete event-day playbook.
Read ArticleStep-by-step guide for teachers to organize scholastic chess tournaments. Age-appropriate formats, volunteer coordination, and free pairing software.
Read ArticleComplete equipment list, venue setup guide, and day-of timeline. Never forget anything when organizing your chess event.
Read ArticlePlan memorable office chess tournaments that boost morale and strategic thinking. The perfect team building activity for modern workplaces.
Read ArticleSide-by-side comparison of the top chess tournament tools. Free and paid options reviewed with features, pricing, and recommendations.
Read ArticleFrom speed blitz nights to charity marathons, 15 creative chess event formats for pubs, clubs, schools, and offices.
Read ArticleTurn slow nights into packed houses. A complete playbook for bar owners looking to attract the chess community and boost weekday revenue.
Read ArticleEverything you need to know about organizing a chess tournament, from format selection to final standings. Step-by-step instructions included.
Read ArticleMaster the most popular tournament format in chess. Learn how Swiss pairings work, when to use them, and how to calculate standings.
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