Can I keep my phone in my pocket if it is off?

It depends on the event regulations. FIDE rules restrict bringing electronic means of communication into the venue, and many events require phones to be off and stored away. Check the specific rules before round one.

Is it cheating to look at my own notes on the opening between rounds?

Between rounds you may study freely. During your game you may not use notes, books or devices of any kind.

What if my opponent's phone rings?

Do not react at the board — call the arbiter. The penalty is set by the event regulations, and in many events it is loss of the game.

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Tournament play · 7 min read

Fair play: the rules, the devices and the grey areas

Fair play is what makes a rating mean something. Most fair-play problems at club level are not cheating — they are avoidable carelessness, like a phone that rings in a bag or a friend leaning over the board with advice.

The FIDE Laws of Chess and each event's regulations set the boundaries. Read your event's rules once before round one; it takes five minutes and prevents most trouble.

Devices: the strictest rule in modern chess

FIDE rules prohibit bringing electronic means of communication into the playing venue unless the regulations allow it. Many events allow a phone only if it is completely switched off and stored as the regulations require.
A phone that makes a sound during a game can cost you the game in many events. Switch it off — silent or flight mode is not always enough under local rules.
Do not use a device to look at chess content during a game, including 'just checking the opening' between moves. That is cheating, not a grey area.
Smartwatches and earbuds count as devices. Leave them out of the playing hall.

Help, advice and spectators

You may not use notes, analysis, advice or any external source during play.
You may not discuss your game with anyone while it is in progress, including in the corridor.
If a spectator or parent comments on your position, stop and tell the arbiter — silence can leave you under suspicion for something you did not ask for.
Between rounds, discussing an unfinished game (in adjourned or team formats) with anyone is not allowed.

Touch-move and the moves themselves

Touch-move: if you deliberately touch one of your pieces and it has a legal move, you must move it. If you touch an enemy piece you must capture it if legally possible.
A move is completed when you release the piece; then you press the clock. Adjusting pieces requires saying 'j'adoube' or 'I adjust' before touching them, on your own turn.
You may not hold a piece over the board while deciding, hover between squares, or take a move back once released.
Do not play a deliberately illegal move to gain time, and do not distract or annoy your opponent — both are covered by the conduct rules.

Results have to be honest too

Agreeing a result without playing, throwing a game, or arranging a draw for prize reasons is a fair-play offence, not clever tournament strategy.
Sign the correct result on both scoresheets. A wrong signed result is a real problem to unwind afterwards.
Report the result to the arbiter or on the pairing sheet the way your event requires.

Protecting yourself

Keep a complete scoresheet — it is your evidence about what happened at the board.
Keep your hands and your phone visible and out of the way; unusual behaviour attracts suspicion even when nothing is wrong.
If you are accused of anything, do not argue with your opponent. Ask for the arbiter and let the process work.
If you suspect an opponent, tell the arbiter quietly after the game rather than confronting them mid-game.

Key takeaways

Devices off and stored as the regulations require — this is where most players lose games needlessly.
No notes, no advice, no discussion of a game in progress.
Touch-move and completed-move rules are strict; keep your hands still while you think.
A complete, correctly signed scoresheet protects you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep my phone in my pocket if it is off?: It depends on the event regulations. FIDE rules restrict bringing electronic means of communication into the venue, and many events require phones to be off and stored away. Check the specific rules before round one.
Is it cheating to look at my own notes on the opening between rounds?: Between rounds you may study freely. During your game you may not use notes, books or devices of any kind.
What if my opponent's phone rings?: Do not react at the board — call the arbiter. The penalty is set by the event regulations, and in many events it is loss of the game.