Parents/Spectators

Guidelines for Spectator Conduct, per the USCF:

1.  Don't "camp out" to watch a particular game.
2.  Don't stand in front of or make eye contact with any player whose game you are observing.
3.  Don't make faces or gestures or convey in any graphic way an opinion of the game being observed.
4.  Don't discuss or even whisper an opinion of a game being observed.
5.  Don't speak privately with any player at or away from the board while his or her game is in progress.
6.  Don't take pictures after the first ten minutes of a game when using flash or a camera with an audible shutter unless you have prior approval from a tournament official.
7.  Don't take pictures at any time from a location that makes you an obvious distraction to the players.
8.  Don't make any noise, such as opening a bag of potato chips, within earshot of a game in progress.
9.  Absolutely do not point out flag fall or illegal moves, or otherwise attempt to play the role of tournament director by intervening in a game for any reason.
10.  Don't discuss a game at its conclusion in the tournament room or attempt to analyze a game at the board.
11.  You may make a tournament director aware of concerns about perceived cheating or rules violations of players or other spectators, but do not attempt to enforce rules yourself.
12.  Do, of course, comply with any requests or instructions issued by tournament staff.  Be aware that a tournament director may ban spectators from the viewing area if necessary.

Of course, these rules also apply to players observing other players' games.

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