What to buy for a chess tournament
A chess tournament needs more than one board per game. You also need reliable clocks, score sheets, pens, a clear registration point, prizes and refreshments for the full playing period. Use one complete chess set and clock for every active board, then add spares before shopping day. The list below covers the equipment, serving items and practical supplies that are easy to overlook or leave until the last minute.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Tablesqty 14
- Chairsqty 60
- Registration desk
- Stoolsqty 4
Sports equipment
- Chess boardsqty 30
- Chess piecesqty 30
- Digital chess clocksqty 30
- Spare chess clocksqty 3
- Scoreboard
- Pensqty 70
- Clipboardsqty 6
- Trophiesqty 3
- Medalsqty 10
Equipment
- Laptop
- Printer
- Extension cordsqty 3
- Power stripsqty 3
- Mobile phoneqty 2
Tableware
- Reusable cupsqty 70
- Coffee cupsqty 50
- Platesqty 60
- Cutlery setsqty 60
Kitchen
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Thermos flasksqty 4
- Coolersqty 3
- Serving traysqty 6
- Tongs and serving spoonsqty 6
Decorations
- Tournament bannersqty 3
- Tableclothsqty 14
- Name badgesqty 60
Lighting
- Desk lampsqty 15
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 6
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea bags - 100 pieces
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Peanuts - 2 bags
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Mini wraps - 100 pieces
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Ham - 1,5 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 60
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 100 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
Tips
- Count one chess board, one set of pieces and one digital chess clock for every game running at the same time. Buy or borrow at least one spare board and one spare clock for a 10-board tournament.
- Prepare at least two score sheets and two pens per player, so a 32-player event needs 64 score sheets and 64 pens before registration starts. Add clipboards if players will not have solid tables.
- Allow one chair per player plus at least four extra chairs for registration, volunteers and anyone waiting between rounds. Set aside one registration desk and a stool or chair for the person checking players in.
- For refreshments, plan two reusable cups per person for a short tournament and three per person for a full-day event. Bring extra coffee cups, plates and cutlery when catering is served in more than one break.
- Pack one power strip and an extension cord for each cluster of clocks, laptop and printer equipment, plus a spare charging cable for the mobile phone. Test the printer and charge the phone at least one day before the tournament.
Frequently asked questions
- What equipment do I need for a chess tournament?
- For each active game, provide one chess board, one complete set of pieces and one digital chess clock. Also bring score sheets, pens, a scoreboard, a laptop or phone for administration, and at least one spare clock and board.
- How many chess sets do I need for 32 players?
- You need 16 complete chess sets if all 32 players play at the same time. Bring one or two additional sets if space and budget allow, especially when rounds cannot be paused for a missing piece or damaged board.
- How many score sheets and pens should I buy?
- Plan for at least two score sheets and two pens per player. For 32 players, that means 64 score sheets and 64 pens, with a small extra supply for mistakes and lost pens.
- What should I buy for refreshments at a chess tournament?
- For each attendee, allow two reusable cups for a short event or three for a full-day tournament, plus coffee cups for hot drinks. Add plates, cutlery, serving trays, tongs and serving spoons, and enough cooler space for drinks that must stay cold.
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