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Rulebook changes since the 5th edition Print E-mail
Official Rules
August 21, 2007

Rulebook Changes

(as of August 2007)

Since the publication of the 5th edition of the rulebook some changes have been made in USCF policy or in the wording of the rules.  Below is a collection of those changes.  Any additions or corrections can be sent to uscfrulebook@yahoo.com.

USCF Policy Changes

Official Ratings: The official ratings of players are now published in the ratings supplement that is available for download once a month instead of in the discontinued every-other month paper ratings supplement. Unless otherwise stated, the monthly supplement used to determine a player's official published rating is the same as the month a tournament begins.

Quick Chess: A Quick Chess event is for a person who wishes to play many games in one day and not have the results affect his regular rating. The time controls in a Quick Chess tournament are 5 minutes through 29 minutes per player (Game/5-Game/29, inclusive). Sudden-death rules are used in Quick Chess events, except scorekeeping is not required. G/5-G/9 are quick ratable.

Dual Rating - All events time controls of G/30 to G/60 inclusive will be dual rated. That is Quick and Regular rated. Note 1: Game/60 is Dual Rated. If you wish for the games not to be Quick Rated, make the time control at least Game in 61 minutes or longer. Game/30 is also Dual Rated. If you do not want these games to be Regular Rated, make the time control Game in 29 minutes or quicker. Note 2: The TD must indicate what the time control is for all sections of all events. If submitting by disk or paper, the time control is to be indicated. If different sections have different time controls, indicate the time control for each section. If submitting the report on-line, the TD is to enter the time control for all sections and whether it is quick, regular, or dual. Note 3: If a section has different schedules that merge, the slowest control is all that is needed. Example: 3-day schedule is 40/2; Sd/1.2 day schedule plays rounds 1 and 2 at game 60 and then merges with the 3 day schedule for round 3. All that needs to be reported is the 40/2; SD/1 as USCF can not separate the schedules at this point.

For more information on all time controls see the document Allowable Time Controls at (as of August 2007): http://www.uschess.org/about/forms/TIME.pdf.

Chapter 1: USCF Section-Rules Of Play

15A. Manner of keeping score.

In the course of play each player is required to record the game (both the player's and the opponent's moves), move after move, as clearly and legibly as possible, on the scoresheet prescribed for the competition. Algebraic notation is standard, but descriptive or computer notation is permitted. The player must first make the move, and then record it on the scoresheet. See also Chapter 3, Chess Notation; 13C3, Filling in moves with flag down; 13I, Refusal to obey rules and 35F6, Scorekeeping options; 43, Scoresheets. 

TD TIP:  While this rule brings the USCF in alignment with FIDE procedures and sooths many of the fears surrounding electronic scoresheets (see new rule 43) it is a huge change for many players.  TDs are advised to first (and possibly second and third) issue warnings to players that do not comply with this revised rule before enforcing any time penalties (1C2a. prescribes adding two minutes to the opponent's unused time).

15A. (Variation I)  Paper scoresheet variation.

The player using a paper scoresheet may first make the move, and then write it on the scoresheet, or vice versa. This variation does not need to be advertised in advance

TD TIP:  TDs may penalize a player that is in violation of 20C. "Use of notes prohibited" if the player is first writing the move and repeatedly altering that move on their scoresheet before completing a move on the board.

20C. Use of notes prohibited. The use of notes made during the game as an aid to memory is forbidden, aside from the actual recording of the moves, draw offers, and clock times, and the header information normally found on a scoresheet. This is a much less serious offense than 20B; a warning or minor time penalty is common, with more severe punishment if the offense is repeated. See also 1C2, Director discretion; 15. The Recording of Games; and 21K, Use of director's power.

21E. The playing director.

A tournament director must not only be absolutely objective, but must also be able to devote full attention to directing duties; for this reason, a director, on principle, should not direct and play in the same tournament. In USCF National Events, the director cannot be a playing director.

However, in club events and others that do not involve substantial prizes, it is common practice for the director to play. A director may also serve as a house player (28M1). Those who choose this double role should be especially careful to maintain objectivity. If possible, a playing director should appoint another director to make rulings involving his or her own games.

A player director who must devote time to a dispute in another game may stop his or her own clock during this period. While the clock is stopped, the director should not look at the position of his or her own game, but the director's opponent is permitted to do so.

Chapter 2: USCF Tournament Section

32C4. Based-on prizes. In tournaments in which prizes are based on entries, if the actual turnout is smaller than the based on turnout, the following rules apply:

32C4a. Proportional payout. Each prize must be paid at least in proportion to the turnout.

32C4b. 50% minimum. If the total advertised prize fund is greater than $500 (all sections combined), at least 50% of each advertised prize must be paid.

32C4c. Multiple-section tournaments. If separate based-on goals are announced for different sections, then the proportion paid in each section (32C4a) is treated separately. If a common based-on goal is announced for multiple sections, then the proportion paid in these sections is considered together. In either case, 32C4b also applies.

32D. Minimum penalty for violation of 32C4 shall be disqualification from advertising in Chess Life for one year. Additional penalties may be imposed at the discretion of the Executive Director. If a tournament is affected with extreme adverse events, then the organizer may appeal to the USCF. See also 21L, Appeal to USCF.

Organizers are expected to base their prize funds on estimates of player attendance that can be reasonably achieved. An organizer who repeatedly overestimates tournament attendance may be subject to penalties, at the discretion of the USCF.

Chapter 4: Equipment Standards


43:  Scoresheets:  A scoresheet is any piece of paper, electronic, or mechanical recording device that allows a player to comply with rule 15A. Electronic scoresheets are subject to certification guidelines as published by the USCF. An electronic scoresheet not so certified is not considered standard and may only be used at the discretion of the tournament director.

Often a pre-printed scoresheet has spaces indication players names, event, other game related information, spaces for the recording of the moves, result and the signatures of the players.

If a scoresheet is provided by the event, then that scoresheet is the standard used for that event.

If a scoresheet is not provided by the event, then any method of keeping score is allowed provided it meets the rules established in 15A.

If an event, even when it provides scoresheets, does not require that a copy of the score be submitted, then the TD may allow the use of any method of keeping score.

If an event requires that a copy of the score to be submitted, the TD may require the use of the scoresheet provided, or alternately may accept any method of providing that score.

A TD may require the use of the provided scoresheet, or may allow non-standard scoresheets to be used even if one is provided.

TD TIP: Tournament directors are advised to be flexible on the above. Many players have their own scoresheet in the form of notebooks or recording devices, and prefer to keep their games in an orderly fashion within that book. If a player can provide a copy of the score from their notebook, or a printout or downloaded from the electronic scoresheet, this is acceptable. You have the score and the result of the game. Contact the USCF office regarding the policies and guidelines for electronic scorekeeping devices.  A current copy of those guidelines can be found at (as of August 2007): http://www.uschess.org/ratings/electronicscoresheet.pdf.

Chapter 7: Tournament Director Certification.

The TD Certification rules have undergone several yearly changes since the 5th edition rulebook publication.  Club TDs can now renew Club TD certification.  There are some steps to take in order to get FIDE certified as an FA and IA.  Sections of multiple sectioned tournaments now only count as 1 TD credit per event, ...  The exact wording of this long document can be found at (as of August 2007): http://www.uschess.org/tds/new08tdcertificationrules.pdf.
 
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