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Competitive Chess: Ratings, Rules & Tournament Guide
Chess is not just a game; it is a globally organized sport with strict rules, professional titles, and a complex ranking system. Whether you are playing in your first local club tournament or aspiring to become a Grandmaster, this section covers the essential structure of the chess world.
🔥 Sport insight: Chess is a sport, and you need to train like an athlete. Drills, practice, and study. Use the essential skills guide as your training manual for competitive play.
📊 Ratings & Titles
Understanding how ratings and titles work is essential for navigating the world of competitive chess.
- The Elo Rating System Explained: How the Math Works
- Chess Titles Guide: How to Become a CM, FM, IM, or GM
- Online Ratings vs. Real Life: Why are they different?
⚖️ Rules & Etiquette
- The Laws of Chess: Touch-Move, J'adoube & Illegal Moves
- Time Controls: Classical vs. Rapid vs. Blitz vs. Bullet
- Draws in Chess: Stalemate, 3-Fold Repetition & The 50-Move Rule
🏟️ Tournament Structure
- How Tournaments Work: The Swiss System vs. Round Robin
- Your First OTB Tournament: What to Expect & What to Bring
- How to Read & Write Algebraic Notation (Scorekeeping)
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Competitive chess is more than playing well — it’s understanding ratings, rules, time controls, and tournament structures so you can compete confidently and avoid costly mistakes off the board.
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