What to buy for an anniversary checkers tournament

An anniversary checkers tournament needs more than boards and pieces. You will need one complete playing setup for every active table, plus spare equipment, registration supplies, result forms and prizes. Plan food and drinks around the number of confirmed participants, officials and volunteers rather than invitations sent. Check power access early for the laptop, printer, clocks and table lamps; extension cords and power strips are easy to overlook on setup day.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Game tablesqty 24
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 3
Registration desk

Sports equipment

Checkers boardsqty 30
Checkers piecesqty 30
Chess clocksqty 30
Notepadsqty 60
Marker pensqty 60
Spare clocksqty 3
Spare checkers setsqty 3
Start number cardsqty 30
Result formsqty 60
Notice board
Conesqty 30

Equipment

Laptop
Printer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Mobile phoneqty 2

Lighting

Table lampsqty 6

Decorations

Anniversary bannerqty 2
Pennant stringsqty 6
Balloonsqty 50
Name badgesqty 60
Tableclothsqty 6
Prize trophiesqty 6
Medal ribbonsqty 12
Certificatesqty 60

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 80
Platesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving traysqty 8
Pouring jugsqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Hand broomsqty 2
Litter pickersqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Herbal tea with honey - 1 jar
- Coffee pastries - 60 pieces
- Mini butter pats - 60 tubs
- Mini-jam - 60 tubs
- Slicing cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1.5 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Bread - 8 loaves
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Mini sandwiches - 80 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Snack nuts - 3 bags
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Bananas - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Mini tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Carrots - 1 kilo
- Cucumber dip - 2 tubs
- Herb cheese - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Soup - 8 liters
- Breadsticks - 4 packs
- Vegetarian meal trays - 12 portions
- Meal trays - 45 portions
- Rice - 4 kilos
- Mixed salad - 5 kilos
- Salad dressing - 3 bottles
- Vegetarian Snacks - 60 pieces
- Chocolate bars - 60 pieces
- Amaretti - 3 packs
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Cleaning wipes - 2 packs
- Nitrile gloves - 2 boxes

Tips

Buy or prepare one checkers board, complete set of pieces, clock and notepad for every game running at the same time. Add at least two spare checkers sets and one or two spare clocks so a missing piece or dead clock does not stop a round.
Prepare registration materials before shopping: name badges, marker pens, start number cards and printed result forms. Print 10–15% more forms and badges than the confirmed participant count for late changes and replacements.
Count prizes by award category and confirm delivery at least 7 days before the tournament. Keep certificates, medal ribbons and prize trophies together at the registration or officials’ table instead of unpacking them during the final setup.
Plan the catering order from the confirmed headcount, adding food for officials and volunteers. Collect dietary requirements before placing the order and provide reusable cups at the buffet rather than buying them during setup.
Test every board, clock, printer and laptop at least 24 hours before the event. Pack spare batteries or charging equipment where needed, and bring extension cords, power strips and table lamps if the playing area has limited outlets.

Frequently asked questions

How many checkers boards do I need for a tournament?: You need one board for each game played simultaneously. For example, 16 active games require 16 boards and complete sets of checkers pieces; add at least two spare sets for equipment failures.
How many checkers clocks should I buy or bring?: Bring one clock per active game plus at least one spare clock. For 16 simultaneous games, prepare 17 clocks if possible, and test them no later than the day before.
When should I order prizes for an anniversary checkers tournament?: Order trophies, medal ribbons, certificates and any souvenirs at least 7 days before the tournament. This leaves time to correct names, replace damaged items or handle a delayed delivery.
How much extra tournament stationery should I prepare?: Prepare roughly 10–15% extra name badges, start number cards and result forms above the confirmed participant count. For 40 players, that means supplies for 44–46 people, plus spare marker pens.

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