The USCF has revised its rules for USCF rated matches. A match is defined as any games between two players in which the players choose to play each other. (That's to exclude any games that arise as a result of various pairing situations during a tournament, such as extra games involving a house player, poor turnout in a section, etc. Since the players didn't enter the tournament with the intention of playing each other in a match, the match rules do not apply.)

Matches can be as short as one game or as long as 20 games. They can be rated under the regular USCF rating system, quick rated, or rated under both systems, depending upon the time control.

Both players in a match must have established and published ratings, and those ratings must be no more than 400 points apart as of the most recent published ratings for those players when the match is held. A player may gain or lose no more than 50 rating points in a match. Also, a player may only gain or lose up to 100 rating points through match play during any 180 day period, and may only gain or lose up to 200 rating points through match play during any three year period.

Matches must be identified as a match when they are submitted to the USCF for rating, either by noting it on the rating report form and crosstable when sending the rating report to the USCF via the mail, or by selecting 'Match' as the section type when submitting the event online using the USCF's TD/Affiliate Support Area.

If a certified TD is not submitting the match results, both players must sign a notarized statement that the match conformed to USCF match rules and other conditions for USCF rated play.

During validation of an event, any section involving just two players that is two or more games long will be considered an error if it is not coded as a match. TDs are asked to identify as matches any one-game sections they submit that were intended as matches between those two players (i.e., the two players chose to play each other.)

In the event that some sections in a tournament appear to be matches but are not, the TD will have to contact the USCF to explain the circumstances before the USCF will rate the event.

The USCF may, at its discretion, apply the match rules to any section in which two players face each other more than twice. TDs may be asked to identify any such sections and explain why they should not be treated as matches.

Under the USCF ratings system, matches are not eligible for bonus points.

Match results do not count towards qualification for invitational events.

Finally, any player whose rating is at that player's floor and plays in a match will be considered to have submitted a request to have that floor lowered by 100 points. The USCF ratings department will review the player's tournament history to decide if the floor should be lowered.

Any events which are intended to flaunt or circumvent the match rules may result in sanctions against the submitting TD, the sponsoring affiliate or the players involved.