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Changes to the U.S. Chess Federation’s Official Rules of Chess, 4th Edition (1993)

Includes all changes made through the 1999 Annual Meeting

1B. (Page 3) At the 1998 Annual meeting, the rules for FIDE rated events were changed and scheduled to take effect on July 1, 1999. This resulted in a change to rule 1B. This change was rescinded at the 1999 Annual meeting and the original language for rule 1B is reinstated effective immediately.

5E. (Page 10) Replace the current language with the following: "The standard timers for games not concluded by a sudden death time control are either a digital clock with time-delay capability or a mechanical apparatus consisting of two clocks that tell time by means of hands moving on a dial (analog clocks). See Chapter 4, ‘Equipment Standards,’ for further discussion of clocks."

5Fa. (Page 10) Add a new section:

"5Fa. The tournament director has the right to shorten the basic time control, in minutes, by the time delay used, in seconds. Examples: Clocks for G/60 with 5-second time delay (t/d5) may be set at 55 minutes instead of 60; G/30 t/d5 may be set at 25 minutes and still be rated as G/30; G/10 t/d3 may be set at 7 minutes.

"There is no requirement to advertise this option in advance. It may also be used for games starting later than the official starting time of any particular round even when not used otherwise."

5Fb. (Page 10) Add a new section:

"5Fb. A game with a mixed time control, e.g. 50 moves in two hours followed by sudden death in 30 minutes, is to use a time-delay clock set with 5-second delay from the beginning of the game, if available. However, if the games starts with an analog clock it should remain, except in the procedure described in rule 14H4e."

9B. (Page 16) Replace "the captured piece has been removed from the chessboard and the player’s hand has released the captured piece" with "the player has deliberately touched both his or her own piece and the opponent’s piece (see rule 10C)."

12E. (Page 23) Add another sentence after the current language: "No move may be made by any piece which puts the player’s own king in check."

14H1. (Page 38) Add a new paragraph before the current language: "This procedure is not available for games in which a digital clock is being used with time delay, whether the game begins with such a clock or one is added during the game (see rule 14H4e). If such a clock is not being used, or such a clock is being used without the time delay feature in operation, the following procedure is available."

14H4e. (Page 39) Add a new section:

"14H4e. When a player having less than five minutes remaining claims a draw on the basis of insufficient losing chances, and the director thinks the claim is neither clearly correct (rule 14H4a) nor clearly incorrect (rule 14H4b) but is instead unclear, the director may place a digital clock with time-delay capability on the game, setting it as follows: The claimant gets half of his or her remaining time, up to but not exceeding one minute; the opponent’s time is unadjusted; the time delay is set for five seconds. The claim is treated as a draw offer, which the opponent may accept or refuse. If the opponent accepts the draw offer, the game is over. If the opponent refuses the draw offer, the game continues, with the director counting for 50 moves if necessary. Penalties for rule infractions remain standard. The claimant may win, lose or draw the game.

This is a recommended option, and is to replace the procedures in rules 14H4c and 14H4d whenever possible."

15B. (Page 42) Last line: Change "repetition" to "occurrence."

16J. (Page 47) Delete the current language and substitute the following: "16J. Black not present. If Black is not present for the start of the game, White shall start his own clock, make his move on the board, and start black’s clock."

28D6. (Page 86) Add after "These players are unrated" the following language: "and should be indicated by ‘NEW’ on the pairing card and wallchart."

28I1. (Page 89) Replace the current language with: "The last opponent to be paired against the expelled player shall have that result scored as a win by forfeit."

28I2. (Page 89) Replace the current language with:

"Earlier opponents of the expelled player shall have their results adjusted as follows:

a. A player who lost to the expelled player shall instead receive a half-point bye.

b. A player who drew the expelled player shall instead receive a win by forfeit."

28I3. (Page 89) Replace the current language with: "The actual results of each opponent vs. the expelled player shall be transferred to an ‘extra rated games’ chart for USCF rating purposes (see rule 28M4)."

28L2. (Page 91) Add another sentence after the current language: "New players should be indicated by ‘NEW’ on the pairing card and wallchart."

28S5. (Page 102) Add:

"28S5. Unless the organizer states otherwise prior to the beginning of the first round a player who reenters carries the better score, or the best score in the case of multiple reentries, into the later rounds. In the case of equal scores, the latest score must be used. The color and opponent history of the entry carried forward accompanies it in all cases. The organizer, however, has the option of declaring in advance that a reentry must abandon all recourse to the earlier entry(ies) in which case the latest score and color history are carried forward, regardless of comparison to all results."

29J2. (Page 108) Replace "black two or more times than white" with "one color two or more times more than the other color." Delete the Note following rule 29J2 (page 108). Current 29J2 becomes Variation 29J2a.

29J6. (Page 111) Delete the current language, including a) and b). Substitute the following:

"29J6. Colors in a series. No player shall be assigned the same color three times in a row, unless there is no other way to pair the score group or unless necessary to equalize colors."

31G4a. (Page 131) Add a new section:

"31G4a. Captain may not impose results. Each player alone is responsible for the result of his or her own game. The team captain may not impose results upon team members."

32E. (Page 136) Total guarantee should be $1250, not $1200 (page 136).

32C4 (Page 135) Delete the current language and substitute the following: "32C4 Minimum prizes in "based-on-entries" tournaments. All tournaments without exception, advertised in Chess Life or elsewhere, are required to pay at least 50% of any based-on prize advertised if the prize fund is over $500. Based-on prizes in tournaments with an advertised total prize fund of $500 or less must be paid in proportion to turnout. Minimum penalty for violation of this rule 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 by an act of God, then the organizer may appeal to the Executive Board."

34E. (Page 140) Second paragraph, third line: Change "three" to "four."

34E1. (Page 140) Replace paragraphs 5, 6, and 7 entirely with the following: "If a player involved in the tie has any unplayed games, they count as opponents with adjusted scores of 0."

42D. (Page 170) Add the following before the current language: "Digital clocks with time delay capability are fully acceptable as tournament equipment. If such clocks are used in competition the providers should explain all relevant operational facts to the tournament director and each opponent; relevant operational facts to be explained include, but are not limited to, the signal at the end of the time control period, any display change from minutes to seconds and any resetting that might occur at the start of a new time control period."

In the current language, add "without time delay capability" after "Digital clocks" in the first sentence.

42E. (Page 171) Replace the current language with: "Conventional analog clocks and digital clocks with time delay capability are equally ‘standard’ equipment. Both of these are more ‘standard’ than digital clocks without time delay capability, and may be used even if black supplies and prefers a digital clock without time delay capability."

Paragraph 4. (Page 206) Add after, "familiar with these rules" the following: "and any rules changes or rulings by the Rules Committee effectively changing these rules."

Paragraph 5. (Page 206) Add: "An applicant must first satisfy all experience requirements for the TD certification for which they are applying before taking an exam for that level of certification. The applicant may apply to the TDCC for a variance on this procedure."

Comment: Changed to only the TDCC granting the waiver, not the office.

Paragraph 6. (Page 206) Add: "Upon request, applicants will present written verification of their claimed experience requirements."

Paragraph 9. (Page 207) Add: "7624" to the zip code.

Paragraph 12. (Page 207) Add: "A chief assistant TD is distinguished from a regular assistant TD by added duties and responsibilities as assigned by the chief TD."

Paragraphs 15, 16, 17, 18, 21. (Pages 208-209) Add: "It is strongly recommended that for these type of tournaments, TDs have experience with computer pairing programs, back room pairing procedures, and on site player contact, or "floor," problem solving procedures.

Paragraph 17. (Page 209) Change: "except Category I or N," to "except Category I, N, or A,".

Paragraph 23. (Page 210) Change: "...None." to "...Self correcting practice tournament worksheets designed to orient new tournament directors with the fundamental procedures required to conduct a rated USCF tournament."

Paragraph 24. (Page 210) Add: "Computer assisted club TDs can be the chief TD of any tournament up to 60 players with the aid of one assistant TD."

Paragraph 26a. (Page 210) Change: "...chief or assistant TD of three or more..." to "...chief TD of one Category D tournament and chief TD or assistant TD of two additional ..."

Paragraph 26b. (Page 210) Change: "Attendance at a workshop offered by the TDCC at a U.S. Open Championship, or..." to "Attendance at a problem solving and discussion workshop (not a business meeting workshop) offered by the TDCC at a U.S. Open Championship, or..."

Paragraph 26d. (Page 211) Replace the first sentence of 26d with: "26d. For any applicant who takes and passes the local TD test (closed book) under supervision at a Category N tournament, the sole experience requirement is satisfactory performance as a chief TD at one category D tournament of at least three rounds."

Paragraph 26d. (Page 211) Change: "...contact the technical director in advance..." to "...contact the technical director two weeks in advance..."

Paragraph 28. (Page 211) ADD: "Computer assisted local TD can be the chief TD of any tournament of up to 120 players with the aid of one assistant TD."

Paragraph 30c. (Page 211) Change: "...Requirement B..." to "...Requirement b..."

Paragraph 30c. (Pages 211-212) Change the numbering from "1, 2, 3, 4, 5" to "c1, c2, c3, c4, c5."

Paragraph 30c1. (Page 212) Change: "Attendance at a workshop offered by the TDCC at a U.S. Open Championship;" to "Attendance at a problem solving and discussion workshop (not a business meeting workshop) offered by the TDCC at a U.S. Open Championship;"

Paragraph 30d. (Page. 212) Replace the first sentence of 30d with: "30d. For any applicant who takes and passes the Senior TD test (closed book) under supervision at a category N tournament, experience requirements are reduced to satisfactory performance as a chief TD at three category C tournaments of at least four rounds and three additional Swiss system tournaments of at least four rounds."

Paragraph 30d. (Page 212) Change: "...contact the technical director in advance..." to "...contact the technical director two weeks in advance..."

Paragraph 32. (Page 212) Add: "Computer assisted senior TDs can be the chief of any tournament up to 360 players with the aid of one assistant TD.

Paragraphs 34b, 38c, 38d, 38e (Pages 213 & 214). Change: "...assistant..." to "...Chief Assistant...".

Paragraph 34d. (Page 213) Change: "...Requirement A..." to "...Requirement a..."

Paragraph 35. (Page 213) Add: "If the NTD gives the exam a failing grade, the applicant may request that the exam be regraded by two additional experienced NTDs. A regrade will automatically occur if the applicant scored between 70% 79%. The final result of the grading process will then be the result given by at least two of the three graders."

Paragraph 35. (Page 213) AND Paragraph 39. (Page 214) Add: "The same form of the same examination may not be taken more than once by any applicant."

Paragraph 38c. (Page 214) Change: "...to a national, associate national, or senior TD..." to "...to a national or associate national TD...".

Paragraph 39. (Page 214) Add: "If the NTD gives the exam a failing grade, the applicant may request that the exam be regraded by two additional experienced NTDs. A regrade will automatically occur if the applicant scored between 70% and 79%. The final result of the grading process will then be the result given by at least two of the three graders."

Paragraph 43. (Page 215) Change: "...senior, ANTD, and NTDs who meet..." to "...current USCF members who are certified at the senior TD, ANTD, or NTD level and meet..."

Paragraph 43d. (Page 215) Change: "1, 2, 3, 4" to "d1, d2, d3, d4."

Paragraph 44. (Page 215) Change: "...TDCC..." to "...an IA designated by the TDCC...".

Paragraph 45. (Page 216) Change: "Limitations: None." to "International Arbiters may direct all Category I tournaments. In order to submit the tournament as a USCF rated tournament, the IA must also have a level of USCF TD certification appropriate to the USCF Category into which the tournament fits."

Paragraph 46. (Page 216) Change: "Life." to "The expiration of IA certification is determined by FIDE. Currently (as of the adoption of these standards), International Arbiters are certified for life."

Table K. (Page 249): Round 3: Player 21 should be paired with player 1 (instead of with player 2).

Rule 8E (Page 14) sentence 2: This move is sometimes called an "L" move, as it is the equivalent to moving the knight two squares vertically, then one square horizontally …. (Replace "the" with "then")

Rule 10A (Page 18) last line: may adjust one or more pieces on their squares. ("replace "his or her" with their")

Rule 29L (Chart on bottom of pg. 115) Change the last two lines of chart from:

White Black to White Black

2199 1910 2199 1896

2178 1896 2178 1910

The following clarifying statements were affirmed by the rules committee at the 1996 & 1998 USCF Annual Meetings and reinforce the present rules. These are not changes to the rules or their wording.

5Fb. This rule means exactly what it states — that in a mixed time control game, as well in single SD time control, the time delay clock, if available should be set with the time delay in force from move one.

42B. Signaling devices. Timers with move counters and flag fall indicators are legal. Move counters, however, should not be relied upon and in case of a time forfeiture claim only the score sheets of the players may be used to validate or repudiate the claim.

42F. Allegro Clock. A digital clock with time delay capability is preferable to any other clock in a game with any SD time control. Therefore, if white has such a clock available and black has only an analog clock, whites clock should be used. The only occasions where black retains the right to use his/her clock are in games with no SD time control, in cases where both players have the same type of clock, or if white is late and black has already set up the equipment so long as black’s equipment is standard. Black would also have a choice of equipment if the delay mode was not being used in a sudden death time control game.

Use of USCF On-Line Ratings for pairing and prize purposes: The USCF’s web-site provides both a player’s official rating, their last published rating from a rating supplement, and an unofficial weekly rating achieved after the most current rating supplement. A player’s "On-line Rating" is either their most recent listed unofficial weekly rating or their most recent supplement rating if an unofficial weekly rating is not listed.

Rule 28C allows a director to specify that a different rating list will be used if announced in the advance publicity for a tournament. The use of a player’s On-line Rating is permitted under this rule. If the On-line Ratings are to be used, this must be announced in all advance publicity and the On-line Rating must be used for every entrant in the tournament. Not all TDs or Organizers have capability to look up On-line Ratings for both advance and door registrants. The reason for specifying that the On-line Rating must be used for every entrant is to remove the possibility that a player can manipulate his section or prize eligibility by any means such as by deciding to register either in advance or at the door to take advantage of the TD/organizer capability. Tournaments that will use a player’s On-line Rating must be designated as "WEB" in any TLA for that event.

The change to rule 1B went into effect upon passage at the 1999 Annual meeting. The change to rule 16J goes into effect on January 1, 2000.