# Play & Review Games

Part of the Chess Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/chess/guide/index.md)

*Competition*

> **7.** Do ONE of the following:

This is the capstone requirement — where you take everything you have learned and put it into practice. You choose **one** of three options:

- **Option A**: Play at least three games, record them, and review with your counselor
- **Option B**: Play in a scholastic tournament and review your games
- **Option C**: Organize and run a tournament yourself

## Option A: Play Three Games

> **7a.** Play at least three games of chess with other Scouts and/or your counselor. Replay the games from your score sheets and discuss with your counselor how you might have played each game differently.

This is the most accessible option. You play at least three recorded games and then analyze them with your counselor.

### How to Prepare

1. **Practice your notation** ([Req 4a](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/chess/guide/req4a/)) so you can record every move during the game.
2. **Use a chess clock** if available — even an informal time control (like 15 minutes per side) adds tournament-like discipline.
3. **Play serious games** — no takebacks, touch-move rules apply. These games should challenge you.

### After the Games

Replay each game move by move from your score sheet on a real board. For each game, identify:
- **The opening**: What opening did you play? Did you follow the principles from [Req 4c](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/chess/guide/req4c/)?
- **The critical moment**: Where did the game change direction? Can you pinpoint the move that decided the outcome?
- **Mistakes**: What did you do wrong? What would you do differently?
- **Good moves**: What did you do right? Which moves are you proud of?

> **Tip**
>
> If you played your games online (with your counselor's approval), you can use the computer analysis feature on Lichess or Chess.com to identify your mistakes. Then bring the annotated game to your counselor meeting.

## Option B: Play in a Tournament

> **7b.** Play in a scholastic (youth) chess tournament and use your score sheets from that tournament to replay your games with your counselor. Discuss with your counselor how you might have played each game differently.

This option takes things to the next level. A real tournament gives you the experience of tournament pairings, time controls, and the atmosphere of competitive play — all concepts you studied in [Req 6](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/chess/guide/req6/).

### Finding a Tournament

- **US Chess Federation**: Search for scholastic events on the USCF website. Many areas have regular scholastic tournaments, especially on weekends during the school year.
- **Chess clubs**: Local chess clubs often host informal or rated events.
- **School chess programs**: Many schools and after-school programs organize tournaments.

### Tournament Day Tips

**Tournament Preparation** — Be ready for your first tournament

- [ ] Bring your own chess set and clock (many tournaments require this).
- [ ] Bring score sheets and a pen — at least two pens in case one dies.
- [ ] Arrive early to check in, find your board, and settle in.
- [ ] Eat a good meal beforehand — tournaments can be long, and mental energy requires fuel.
- [ ] Bring water and a quiet snack for between rounds.
- [ ] Review the tournament rules (time control, number of rounds) before Round 1.

> **Be Prepared! Your First Tournament**
>
> First tournaments can feel intimidating. Here is how to handle it:
>
> - **Nerves are normal.** Even grandmasters get nervous before important games. Take a few deep breaths before each round.
> - **Focus on playing your best**, not on winning. Learning from every game matters more than the result.
> - **Record your moves** carefully. You will want those score sheets later.
> - **Be gracious** in both victory and defeat — sportsmanship matters most (review [Req 2](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/chess/guide/req2/) on etiquette).

## Option C: Organize a Tournament

> **7c.** Organize and run a chess tournament with at least four players, plus you. Have each competitor play at least two games.

This option develops leadership and organizational skills. You are not just a player — you are the tournament director.

### Planning Your Tournament

**Step 1: Choose a format.** With 4–5 players, a **round robin** works perfectly — everyone plays everyone. With more players, consider a **Swiss system** with 3–4 rounds (see [Req 6](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/chess/guide/req6/) for details on both formats).

**Step 2: Set the time control.** For a casual tournament, **G/15** (15 minutes per player) or **G/30** (30 minutes per player) works well. Shorter is better for keeping things moving; longer gives more time for recorded games.

**Step 3: Gather equipment.** You need at least enough boards and sets for half the players to play simultaneously. Chess clocks are ideal but not strictly required for casual events.

**Step 4: Create a schedule.** For a 5-player round robin, you need 4 rounds with 2 games each round (one player gets a bye each round). Write out the pairings in advance using a Berger table.

**Step 5: Prepare score sheets.** Print or create simple score sheets for recording moves (even if recording is optional).

### Running the Tournament

**Tournament Director Duties** — What the TD does each round

- [ ] Post pairings and color assignments for the round.
- [ ] Start all clocks simultaneously (or call "begin" if no clocks).
- [ ] Enforce touch-move and time rules if disputes arise.
- [ ] Record results after each game (win, loss, or draw for each player).
- [ ] Calculate and post updated standings after each round.
- [ ] Award prizes or recognition at the end.

![A small casual chess tournament in a community room with teenagers playing chess and a tournament bracket on a whiteboard in the background](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/chess/guide/chess-club-tournament?v=9960e7cf)

### Sample 5-Player Round Robin Schedule

| Round | Board 1 | Board 2 | Bye |
|-------|---------|---------|-----|
| 1 | Player 1 vs. Player 5 | Player 2 vs. Player 4 | Player 3 |
| 2 | Player 5 vs. Player 3 | Player 4 vs. Player 1 | Player 2 |
| 3 | Player 2 vs. Player 5 | Player 3 vs. Player 4 | Player 1 |
| 4 | Player 5 vs. Player 4 | Player 1 vs. Player 3 | Player 2 |
| 5 | Player 3 vs. Player 2 | Player 4 vs. Player 5 | Player 1 |

[US Chess — How to Run a Tournament](https://new.uschess.org/how-run-chess-tournament): The US Chess Federation's guide to organizing chess events, from casual meetups to rated tournaments.

## Game Review: The Most Important Step

Whichever option you choose, the review with your counselor is where the deepest learning happens. Do not just replay the moves — tell the story of each game:

- What was your plan?
- Where did things go right or wrong?
- What opening principles or tactical patterns from this guide showed up in your games?
- What would you do differently next time?

Congratulations — you have covered every requirement for the Chess merit badge. But the game does not stop here.

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- Previous: [Chess Tournaments](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/chess/guide/req6/index.md)
- Next: [Extended Learning](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/chess/guide/extended-learning/index.md)