We expect to put together a comprehensive program of activities. You are welcome to make any suggestions and comments. These events are open to anybody with an interest in chess, regardless of university affiliation: players from other universities or from the area are always welcome, as is the general public.
Casual and blitz games We meet every Wednesday night at the 2nd floor Penn Bookstore at 7:30pm. It may very well be the single most enjoyable activity you will ever experience. We provide some sets and clocks, but please bring your chess set and clock if you have one. Each week we run an unrated blitz tournament. Usually it is a one round G/5 round robin, although we are flexible and submit to a majority vote. We abide by the United States Chess Federation Blitz rules. Some of the most important rules that we follow are listed below:
-Touch move. When a player touches one of her pieces on the board, she has to move that piece if it is legally possible. If she touches an opponent's piece on the board, she has to take that piece with one of hers if is legally possible.
-Illegal moves. If a player makes an illegal move, two additional minutes should be added to the opponent's clock (1 min for blitz).
-Insufficient losing chances. If there is less than one minute left in a player's clock and she claims that the position is clearly a draw -in other words, that a Class C player would most likely draw it against a Master player then the game may be declared a draw by the de facto Tournament Director.
-Unclear situation. In the course of any game at the chess club, either blitz or standard, if you are not sure about how a rule of the game applies in a particular situation, please stop the clocks and seek advice from fellow players. While the clocks are stopped, you should not look at the board or think about the position.
