- What is a USCF Rated Event?
The ruling body of chess in America is called the United States Chess Federation. Aside from chess promotion, the USCF sponsors and arranges tournaments across the United States. The USCF also provides a system to track the sucess rate and strength of players. This is called the Rating System.
Put simply, a number is assigned to each USCF player that approximates his/her relative strength. When you win a game against a equal or higher rated player, your rating will increase numerically (while your opponent's rating will decrease). If you lose to a player rated lower than yourself, you'll lose points. If you draw an opponent higher rated, you will get approximately half of the points you would have received had you won the game.
To calculate this number, clubs that are affiliates with the USCF hold "rated tournaments". If you come to Allentown Center City Chess Club, you will play in a rated tournament. You must be a USCF member to play in any rated event.
- Touch Piece
Probably the most important rule for beginners is "touch piece". This rule states that if you touch a piece, without declaring your intent to only adjust it by saying "Adjust", you are bound to move that piece. That means even if by moving it, you lose it! If you cannot move the piece legally, then you will be able to move another piece.
If you touch an opponent's piece, you are also bound to capture it if applicable. If you are unable to capture that piece, another move may be substituted.
Don't touch if you don't want to move it!
- Hovering
Every rated event uses a chess clock to measure time for both the players. When a player has less than five minutes remaining, this is called being in "time trouble". The player in time trouble knows he/she must move as quickly as he/she can before the game is lost. In this zeal, this player may "hover" which means have his/her hand over the pieces waiting for the second his/her opponent makes their move and presses his/her clock. This is illegal.
Hovering is considered rude, unsportsmanlike, and is against the USCF rules. Make sure your hands are away from the board unless your clock is running. If you hover, your opponent can call the tournament director and complain. This could result in reprimand or penalties. If it's not your move, sit on your hands!
- Taking Score
Both players are responsible for taking a score of the game. This includes writing your opponent's moves as well as your own. If you are unfamiliar with game notation, please stop by our Notation Guide.
In the event that a player is unable to take notation due to a handicap, he/she can enlist the aide of a helper. Blind players may use a tape recorder or a braille writer. Beginners can be excused from taking notation by the tournament director, but this is not often the norm. Many directors insist on score keeping as a means of practice. You can't learn if you don't try.
In the event that a player is excused from taking notation by a tournament director, he/she may not make any claims that require the tournament director to verify the position through the score sheets.
If a player does not keep score and is not excused, the opponent can call the tournament director and make a complaint. The player will be required to catch up on the score, using his/her opponent's score sheet while HIS/HER clock is running. This way the opponent will not be penalized for the player's rule infraction.
- Ethics and Behavior
Chess is often refered to as a "gentleman's sport" (although don't think that ladies don't play!). The USCF sets up certain guidelines for ethics and behavior. To put it simply, players are required to conduct themselves professionally and in good taste. Temper tantrums, foul language, and other such behaviors are unacceptable. Behaving in such a manner can cause one to forfeit his/her game or be removed from the playing hall.
Spectators are welcomed at most tournaments (with the exception of most scholastic tournaments), however, if spectators become loud, distracting, or discuss games in progress within the hearing of the players, he/she/they can be removed from the tournament hall at any time.
- Consulting the TD
At the beginning of every tournament, the director will introduce him/herself. If, at any time, during the course of the game, one is unsure of the legalities of an opponent's moves or behavior, the player may stop the clock and seek out the director. A player does not need to get his/her opponent's permission to stop the clock and consult the director.
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