Parents · 2026-10-21 · 3 min read

The night before and the morning of your child’s first tournament

A calm checklist so the child plays their best.

Good sleep and a calm morning matter more than one more hour of opening study. Here is a checklist that works.

The night before

• Pack the bag: entry confirmation, a pen, a water bottle, a snack, and an ID if the tournament asks.
• A light chess activity only, like 10 puzzles. No new openings.
• Early dinner and early bed. Eight to nine hours of sleep.

The morning

• A proper breakfast. Chess is long and tiring.
• Reach the venue 30 minutes early. Find the toilet and the playing hall.
• Remind the child of the habit: the three questions before every move.

During the day

• After each game, forget it. Eat, drink water, and walk a little.
• Do not ask "Did you win?" first. Ask "Did you enjoy it?"

Read the tournament brochure beforehand for the time control and the tie-break rules; our Chess Guide explains them in English, Hindi and Marathi.