et-i-quette (pronounced "Et Ticket")  The forms, manners and ceremonies established by convention as acceptable or required in social situations - as in... good sportsmanship in chess games.

 

HERE'S THE BEST WAY TO PRACTICE GOOD CHESS ETIQUETTE...

 

 

AT CLUB MEETINGS

• Always greet and welcome new players to the club so that they feel comfortable.  Ask them if they want to play a game.
• Never say, "It's not fair" or call someone a "cheater". 
• When an experienced club member plays a beginner, it is considered good sportsmanship to help the new player by pointing out better moves and letting them take their moves back.  Teach them how to beat you.
• Scholar's mate or Fools Mate against a team mate or used in tournaments is considered "cheesy chess" and is not allowed in our club.  If you can beat someone with a 4 or 5 move mate, you can beat them without using tricks. 
• When working on a chess puzzle, do not physically move the pieces.  Move them in your mind.  Do not tell other people the answer to the puzzle, unless instructed to do so.  Write down the beginning move and ask someone to verify that you have the right answer.
• Always leave the chess room as neat, or neater, than you found it. 
• Keep your hands to yourself.  This is not a time for running around, picking up or poking at your friends.
• At all times be respectful and considerate of the other chess club members and the game of chess. 

 

DURING GAMES

• Every game should begin and end with the players shaking hands and either wishing each other good luck or congratulating each other for playing a good game.
• Never gloat over a victory (no happy dances) or have a temper tantrum over a defeat (even if you're just mad at yourself).
• Talking should be kept to a minimum.  Chess is a game of concentration and a quiet atmosphere is necessary.
• Never comment on another game that is in progress, it distracts the other players and is considered to be rude behavior (this is called kibhitzing). 
• If you make a mistake or you see someone else make a mistake don't fall off your chair or make a "Doh" kind of noise.  It might be that your opponent will not notice your mistake if you play quietly.
• Never touch your opponents' piece unless you are taking it from the board.
• Never, ever accuse your opponent of something they didn't do or lie about your move in order to save a piece.  Chess is a game of honor.  People who do these things are not allowed in our club.
• Don't knock over pieces before you take them.  This is considered rude behavior. 
• If you need to adjust a piece, you must first say, "adjust" before you touch it. 
• If you touch a piece (without saying "adjust"), you must move it.  The only exceptions to this rule are:  1) If you are in check and must move your king out of danger or 2) The piece you touched cannot be legally moved.
• Once you remove your hand from the piece, you cannot move it to another location unless you have made an illegal move.
• If you disagree with what your opponent has done and believe he/she has made an illegal move, raise your hand and ask for help.
• You do not have to say "check". 
• At the end of the game, shake hands with your opponent, hand them their pieces and then reset the board.

Read what Benjamin Franklin had to say about The Morals of Chess.