---
title: "What to Bring to Your First Xiangqi Tournament · Xiangqi Master"
description: "Bring identification, entry confirmation, a pen for scoresheets, and your own set and clock if you have them, though most events supply equipment."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/what-should-i-bring-to-my-first-tournament
updated: 2026-09-23
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# What should I bring to my first over-the-board xiangqi tournament?

These answers restate the rules implemented by our open-source engine, which follows the WXF laws and is regression-tested against the official 110-diagram repetition casebook. Where an answer refers to a specific position, that position lives on the linked reference page, where the build verifies it against the engine before publishing.

> Direct answer
>
> Bring **identification and your entry confirmation**, a **pen** for scoresheets, and, if you own them, your own **set and clock**, even though most organised events supply equipment at every board. Water and a snack for a long day of play round out the essentials.

## What organisers usually provide

Boards, pieces and clocks are normally supplied by the venue at every table in a proper tournament, so you do not need to own equipment to enter your first event. Bringing your own is still worth doing if you have a set you are comfortable with, since familiarity with your own pieces can matter under pressure.

## What is easy to forget

A pen that actually works, since scoresheets are often required in rated events and a dead pen mid-round is an avoidable distraction. Also worth checking in advance: the specific time control, whether byes need requesting ahead of time, and where the pairing sheet or board list will be posted.

## Related questions

Do I need to know notation before entering?

Not to compete, though it helps for filling in scoresheets; ask the arbiter if you are unsure how a move should be recorded.

Should I arrive early?

Yes, pairings and board assignments are usually posted shortly before the round, and arriving late can cost you time on your own clock.

## Related xiangqi resources

Play xiangqi

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Reading notation

炮二平五 and C2=5 — the same move, two ways

Xiangqi questions answered

Every question on this site, in one index

## Try it on a real board

Reading an answer is one thing; playing it is another. Free, instant, and nothing to install.