New Jersey Chess Club - Rules & Guidelines
First-Time Visitors Out-of-town guests may visit by appointment only. Check our website for hours: njchess.club. Non-members must adhere to all club bylaws and ethics.
Food & Drinks No food or drinks are allowed in the playing hall or skittles room. Violators will be disqualified from the event with no refund. Parents/players are liable for any damages.
Parental Viewing Policy Parents must leave the tournament hall before each round begins and wait in the skittles room to maintain a quiet playing environment.
Notation Requirement Players must record their moves at all tournaments for dispute resolution. Scoresheets and pencils are provided.
Tournament Equipment The club provides boards, scoresheets, and pencils. Players must bring their own chess sets and clocks. NJCC reserves the right to require players to use club-provided equipment.
USCF Membership Requirement A valid US Chess Federation (USCF) membership is required for rated events. USCF ratings determine fair match pairings.
Tournament Policy All tournaments follow USCF rules. Tournament Directors (TDs) are USCF-certified and ensure fair play. Concerns should be directed to the TD immediately.
Byes & Withdrawals
Byes must be requested at registration or via email (info@njchess.club) at least one hour before the round starts.
Late bye requests (within an hour of the round) incur a $15 fee starting January 1, 2025.
Per USCF rule 22C5, an irrevocable half-point bye may be canceled at the TD’s discretion, with a win counting as a draw for prize purposes.
Cell Phones & Devices Per USCF rule 20N, electronic devices must be completely turned off in the playing venue. If a device rings or disturbs play, the player forfeits the game and may be disqualified.
Forfeits A $15 penalty applies for forfeited games. Repeat offenders will lose tournament privileges. Expired USCF memberships preventing event rating will incur a $25 penalty.
Disputes & Errors Players should pause clocks and notify the TD immediately if a dispute arises. Errors in recorded results must be reported via email (info@njchess.club).
Disruption of Games Players or spectators causing disruptions will receive a warning. Repeat offenders may be ejected without a refund and could face club suspension.
Guests NJCC is a private club. First-time visitors must schedule an appointment at least 72 hours before a tournament. Parents/guardians of scholastic members may accompany their child but cannot disturb play.
Hygiene Players must maintain proper grooming and hygiene. Hand sanitizer is provided, and masks are required for sick individuals. If sick, notify info@njchess.club 72 hours before the event.
Notation Rules Players must keep accurate scorekeeping per USCF rules. In games with a 30-second increment, notation must be maintained throughout the game.
