Q: If I play USCF Correspondence Chess (CC) will I get a chess rating?
A: Yes! As soon as you finish your first game, notify the Correspondence Chess Director (CCD) at USCF and a provisional rating will be calculated. After you have 25 CC games rated, your rating is recognized as Established.

Q: I am unrated, how do I determine what Class to start in?
A: Class A: very strong (1800-1999)
Class B: strong (1600-1799)
Class C: average (1400-1599)
Class D: Novice (beginner to playing chess) (1399- below)
(Note: If you have a USCF over-the-board rating, use this as a guide.)

Q: Can I use my chess computer?
A: No. Computers with chessplaying algorithms of any form, except when such computers are expressly permitted by special rules, are prohibited.

Q: Can I refer to chess books?
A: Yes. Players are free to consult chess publications or literature but are not permitted to consult with other players.

Q: What equipment do I need?
A: Suggested items to purchase are move-mailing postcards. Move-mailing cards are designed for playing chess through the mail. You can purchase them from our online chess store!

Q: How do I contact my opponent?
A: You will receive a pairing sheet w/playing instructions from the CCD. If you are playing in a chess-by-mail event, it will be sent through the Post Office. If you are playing in an e-mail event via the Internet, the pairings will be sent to you at your e-mail address. You will exchange moves with your opponent via the same manner in which you receive your pairings from USCF. If you are playing in a "through the mail" event but you and your opponent want to exchange moves using email, it will be allowed.

Q: If I play Correspondence Chess (CC) will I get an official USCF rating?
A: Yes! As soon as you finish your first game, notify the Correspondence Chess Director (CCD) and your game will be rated. You will receive a Provisional rating (less than 25 games rated) and be published when 4 or more games are on your record. After 25 games are rated your rating is recognized as being Established.

Q: How do I get started?
A: Contact USCF, Correspondence Chess Director, Alex Dunne: Mail: PO Box 367, Sayre, PA 18840. Tollfree to enter: 1-800-903-USCF (8723) E-mail: chesskinetics@cqservices.com. When you are ready to enter, you can mail your entry to: U.S. Chess, Attn: Correspondence Chess, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 or Enter online by clicking on, "Register For A Tournament."

Q: Where can I find the Official USCF Correspondence Chess Rules?
A: The Correspondence Chess area of our website offers information pertaining to playing Correspondence Chess regarding rules, cc news, suggested equipment, copies of CC Columnist Alex Dunne, rating lists and a game result search engine.

Q: Are there any Master games offered on your website which I can play over?
A: Yes. Within the CC area of our website we offer hundreds of games from past Absolute Correspondence Chess Championships. Just click on the game and the java script will present the game to you!