Code of Conduct

Effective: April 1, 2025

Purpose 

The goal of this Code of Conduct is to make sure that everyone involved with the Casual Chess Club™ (“Club”), whether they’re members, guests, players, or organizers of Club activities, always behave in a fair and respectful way.

This should help improve how players take part in chess, making it a more fun and enjoyable activity at our Club. The more fun people have playing at the Club, the more likely they are to keep playing chess, and it could also attract new players to join.

This code can’t cover every situation, but it highlights types of behavior that are not acceptable and could lead to disciplinary action by the Club. The kind of action taken will depend on how serious the misconduct is.

Guidelines 

1. Understand and play by the rules

It’s your job to understand and follow the rules of chess. The rules made by FIDE are there for good reasons, and if everyone learns and follows them, it makes the game enjoyable for everyone. You should also follow any rules made by the Club Committee. Before starting a game, players can agree to change some rules, like setting time limits, changing the touch-move rule, allowing takebacks, or trying out different types of chess. During the game, a player can ask for a takeback or rule changes, but their opponent doesn’t have to say yes. If you break the rules a lot or in a serious way, you need to be ready to face the consequences.

2. Respect referees and club officials

Referees and club officials, like Committee members, have tough jobs, and without them, the game and the Club wouldn’t work. Referees make sure players follow the rules, but they’re human and won’t always get everything right. It’s important to accept their decisions respectfully. Club officials volunteer their time to help run the Club, so they deserve kind and fair treatment. Being rude or abusive to referees or officials is never okay.

3. Verbal abuse

It’s not okay to verbally abuse other players or to distract or provoke your opponent on purpose. Losing your temper isn’t just unpleasant for others in the game—it can also hurt your focus and performance during play. Plus, it might distract other players around you.

4. No smoking or consumption of alcohol or recreational drugs.

Smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs are not allowed inside the Club. People can smoke outside near the Club entrance. However, no one is allowed to enter the Club if they are under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs.

5. Be a good sport

Being part of a sport means showing respect to everyone in the game. Your opponents deserve to be treated with kindness and courtesy. Good manners and respect can spread to others. If you recognize your opponent’s accomplishments, they’re likely to do the same for you. Always introduce yourself to your opponents and handle losing with grace.  

6. Be respectful during the game

It’s important to show respect to every opponent during the game, as well as before and after it. Acting uninterested, like reading, listening to music (even with earphones), or anything that shows a lack of focus on the game, can come across as disrespectful. Avoid doing things like staring at your opponent while they’re thinking, coughing toward them, or purposely leaving your pieces out of place—those kinds of tricks aren’t okay.  If you have any contagious disease, you should excuse yourself from the club venue. No one wants to be sick.

7. Be respectful towards all members and guests

Everyone at the Club should treat all members and guests with respect and kindness. No matter someone’s gender, abilities, cultural background, religion, or anything else not related to chess, they deserve fair and equal treatment. Harassment or offensive behavior of any kind is not allowed. This includes asking members or guests for things like money or cigarettes. Bad personal hygiene at Club events can also be seen as rude and disrespectful. Avoid making comments that could be seen as offensive or discriminatory, even if they’re meant as a joke—sometimes jokes can hurt feelings.

8. We owe a special duty of care to Children in Chess

Everyone involved in any way in Club activities owes a special duty of care to children who play the game. Anyone who neglects this duty will be in serious breach of this code. Any form of abuse of any child, be it verbal or physical, will be viewed as the most serious breach of this code of conduct and will be dealt with in the harshest possible manner.  

9. Always respect the use of facilities and venues provided

Everyone needs to treat facilities personnel, equipment, and venues with care and respect. Not doing so will be seen as a serious violation of the code of conduct. This includes making sure you clean up after yourself—whether it’s disposing of litter or taking care of general hygiene and cleanliness.

10. Utilizing the Club

Anyone who uses the Club space for non-chess or personal activities, except for buying and eating food or drinks, might face disciplinary action.

Original: November 23, 2023, Ed Magik
Revision 1: March 30,2025, Ed Magik