Rehearse the sequence
Set the advertised control, play ten sample moves and practice recording moves if the event requires it. Learn how the clock indicates which side is active and what flag fall looks like. Practice pausing without resetting.
Source for the factual guidance above: FIDE Laws of Chess.
At the board
Confirm the board orientation, pieces, clock setting and your color. Ask about anything unclear before the round begins. Arrive early enough that the first interaction with the device is not made under social pressure.
After the game
Stop both timers when the game is over, agree the result and report it using the event's process. Save your game in the dashboard later; do not handle your phone at the board if event rules prohibit electronic devices.
The evening-before checklist
Read the event schedule and exact time control, including increment, stages, default time, and any notation requirement. Practise that control on a real or browser clock. Pack permitted writing equipment, identification, water, and any approved accessibility items. Confirm the venue and arrival plan. Do not rely on learning a clock model during the opening announcements. Even if the organizer provides equipment, knowing how a standard start, press, pause, and flag indicator work removes avoidable uncertainty.
Your first five minutes at the board
Find the board number, sit in the correct place, and avoid changing the organizer's clock placement. Check piece orientation, starting position, both displays, and the side to move. Introduce yourself and ask an arbiter before the round if the setting appears wrong. When play begins, use the same move-release-press rhythm rehearsed at home. Glance at the clock after natural moments rather than after every thought. A calm opening routine preserves attention for chess.
A useful post-round note
After reporting the result, record the control, approximate move count, remaining time, and one moment when the clock changed your decision. Note any procedural question while it is fresh, then verify it against the event rules or ask an arbiter before the next round. Avoid rebuilding the entire game from emotion alone. One accurate clock observation, such as reaching move twenty with five minutes left, gives a concrete starting point for the next training session.
For the table habits behind that checklist, read chess clock etiquette.
Common questions
What should I ask before my first round?
Confirm the time control, any stages, notation requirement, default time, result-reporting process, and how to call an arbiter. Ask before play rather than guessing after a problem occurs. Also confirm where pairings and round-start announcements will appear.
What if I have never used the supplied clock model?
Learn the standard start, press, and pause behavior, then ask an arbiter about the model before the round if possible. Do not explore settings once the game has begun.
Primary references & further reading
Rules and browser capabilities can change. These links are provided for the current governing or technical source.