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Tournament Chess Equipment Standards

• Chess Pieces



1.1 Material
Chess pieces should be made of wood, plastic or an imitation of these materials.

1.2 Height, weight, proportions
The King's height should be 3 to 3.75 inches. The diameter of the King's base should measure 40 to 50% of its height. The size of the other pieces should be proportionate to their height and form; other elements such as stability, aesthetic considerations etc., may also be taken into account. The weight of the pieces should be suitable for comfortable moving and stability.

1.3 Form, Style of Make
The pieces should be shaped so as to be clearly distinguishable from one another. In particular the top of the King should distinctly differ from that of the Queen. The top of the Bishop may bear a notch or be of a special color clearly distinguishing it from that of the Pawn.

1.4 Color of the Pieces
The dark pieces should be brown or black, or of other dark shades of these colors. The light pieces may be white or cream, or of other light colors. The natural color of wood (walnut, maple, etc.) may also be used for this purpose. The pieces should not be shiny and should be pleasing to the eye.

Chess Boards Most tournament chess players, club players, or individuals choose vinyl rollup chess boards for normal play. Whether you are into Blitz chess or extended tournament competitions, the standard 20" square vinyl rollup boards will meet all regulations and requirements. Bear in mind that the accepted chessboard color standard is Forest Green. It has been proven that it is the easiest on the eyes, assisting concentration. Therefore most, if not all, chess players will expect to use a green vinyl chess board in tournament competitions. A comfortable table of suitable height may be fitted in with a chess board. If the chess table and the board are separate from one another, the latter must be fastened and thus prevented from moving during play.

• Chess Clocks

Chess clocks should have a device signalling precisely when the hour hand indicates full hours. They should have the so-called "flag" fixed at the figure 12 or at some other figure, but always so that its fall can be clearly seen, helping the arbiters and players to check time.

The clock should have no shine which would make the flag difficult to see. It should run as silently as possible in order not to disturb the players during play.