How to behave at chess: rules, traditions, and superstitions

Chess isn’t just strategy. It’s also a game with plenty of character: respect, ethics, and a handful of traditions passed down from player to player for centuries. If you’re heading to your first club or tournament, this is the manual for how to behave so no one gives you a strange look.

The basic rules of behavior

There are seven, and they boil down to one idea: respect your opponent and the game.

The opening handshake

Before starting, shake your opponent’s hand with a “good luck” or something similar. It’s a small gesture that sets the tone for the whole game.

Respect the turn

Only play when it’s your turn. Handling pieces during your opponent’s turn, moving by trial, or hitting the board is frowned upon.

Keep silent

Chess demands concentration. Avoid talking, commenting on the game out loud, or making sounds that distract your opponent.

Avoid distractions

Phones, smartwatches, and headphones off. In official tournaments, simply having your phone ring can cost you the game.

Accept defeat with dignity

If you lose, congratulate your opponent. A “good game” or “well played” shows maturity and always leaves a good impression. No one respects a poor loser.

Don’t celebrate excessively either

Winning isn’t celebrated with exaggerated gestures or arrogant comments. Modesty is among the most valued virtues in chess.

Friendly closing

At the end, offer your hand to your opponent again. Regardless of the result, the game closes the way it started: with respect.

Chess traditions

Beyond the rules, there are customs that have been part of the game for centuries:

Greeting the arbiter or the host in official tournaments, as recognition of the effort of organizing the event.
Checking the board before playing: the h1 square (bottom right corner from White’s side) must be light. If not, it’s set up wrong. Always check it.
Post-game analysis. One of the most educational traditions: both players review the moves together at the end. This is where you’ll learn the most, especially if your opponent is stronger than you.
Touch-move. The most sacred rule of over-the-board chess (detailed in our guide on the rules of physical and tournament chess).
Offering a draw courteously. Only on your turn and without insisting. If your opponent declines, it’s not mentioned again.

Tips for exemplary behavior

Five tips to make your first tournament go smoothly:

Be punctual. In tournaments, arriving late can cost you the game outright.
Control your emotions. Don’t fall apart if you’re losing, and don’t get overconfident if you’re winning. Stay calm no matter what.
Respect the arbiter. Their decisions are final. Arguing won’t help you.
Don’t disturb other boards. If you finish early, don’t wander around or comment on other games: others are still playing.
Offer a rematch. In friendly games, leaving your opponent wanting another is always a good sign.

Superstitions and quirky customs

Did you know that chess, despite being pure reasoning, has its own rituals? Some customs you’ll see at any club:

Respect for the pieces. Many experienced players treat their pieces almost affectionately, as if they were extensions of their own strategy.
Using their own set. Some prefer their lifelong set, believing it brings luck (or simply because they’re comfortable with it).
Small rituals. A specific pen for notation, always sitting in the same chair, arranging captured pieces in a certain way… everyone has their own.

Ready for your first tournament?

If you’re about to make your debut, review the rules of physical and tournament chess (the clock, draws, touch-move) and the basic rules. With that and good behavior, you already have the most important part covered.

The rest? You’ll learn it by playing. And by enjoying it, which is also part of the game.

Preguntas frecuentes

Do you have to shake hands at the start and end of a game?

Yes, it's tradition. Before starting, players greet each other with a handshake and wish each other good luck. At the end, they shake hands again regardless of the result. It's a basic sign of respect.

Is it okay to analyze the game together afterward?

Yes, it's one of the loveliest traditions in chess. Both players review the moves, discuss mistakes, and talk through alternatives. It's where you learn the most, especially if you're facing someone stronger than you.

Can I use my phone during a game?

No. In official tournaments, using phones, smartwatches, or other devices can result in automatic loss. In friendly games it's also poor form: it distracts your opponent and breaks their concentration.

Are there superstitions in chess?

Even though chess is 100% logic, many players have small rituals: using their own set, sitting in the same chair, carrying a specific pen for notation... they're quirky habits that give the player peace of mind.