Tournament Life Abbreviations & Terms

Confused by all of the abbreviations in tournament descriptions?  Find definitions and other tournament related information here.

• QC: Quick Chess events
• $$G: guaranteed prizes.
• $$b/: based-on prizes (number of entries needed to pay full prize fund follows). At least 50% of the advertised prize fund must be awarded.
• Bye: indicates which rounds players who find it inconvenient to play may take 1/2 point byes instead. For example, Bye 1-3 means 1/2 point byes are available in rounds 1 through 3.
• C: computers are allowed to participate. Lack of this symbol means computers are not allowed.
• CC: chess club.
• EF: entry fee.
• Ent: where to mail entries.
• FIDE: results submitted to FIDE for possible rating.
• G/: game in. For instance, G/75 means each side has 75 minutes for the entire game.
• GPP: Grand Prix Points available.
• HR: hotel rates. For example, 60-65-70-75 means $60 single, $65 twin, $70 3 in room, $75 4 in room..
• mem req: membership required; cost follows. Usually refers to state affiliate.
• NC: computers are not allowed to participate.
• Open section: a section open to all. Often has very strong players, but some who are eligible for lower sections can play for the learning experience.
• OSA: other states accepted. Refers to state dues.
• PHBF: Professional Players Health and Benefits Fund.
• Quad: 4-player round robin sections; similar strength players.
• Rds: rounds; scheduled game times follow. For example, 11-5, 9-3 means games begin 11 am & 5 pm first day, 9 am & 3 pm second.
• Reg: registration at site.
• RR: round robin (preceded by number of rounds).
• S: smoking allowed. Lack of this symbol means no smoking allowed.
• SASE: for more info, send self addressed stamped envelope.
• SD/: sudden death time control (time for rest of game follows). For example, 30/90, SD/1 means each player has 30 moves in 90 minutes, then the rest of the game in an hour.
• Section: a division of a tournament, usually excluding players above a specified rating. Players in a section face only each other, not those in other sections.
• SS: Swiss System pairings (preceded by number of rounds).
• T/Dx: time delay (replace x with a number). If no symbol, 5 second delay (T/D5) is standard.
• Unr: unrated.
• USEF: combined entry fee and USCF dues.
• W: site is accessible to wheelchairs.
• WEB: tournaments that will use a player's online rating, even if unofficial.

Which Ratings Will Be Used?

Starting with the Feb. 2007 supplement, the USCF began publishing official ratings on a monthly basis. Unless otherwise indicated in an event's advance publicity, the rating in the supplement for the month that the event starts will be used for pairing and prize purposes. For example, an event starting on April 1st will use the April supplement. An event that starts on Oct. 30 and ends on Nov. 2 will use the Oct supplement. The rating on your Chess Life label is your official rating for that month. The label on the Sept. Chess Life will display the rating in the Sept. supplement and the Oct. issue will display the rating from the Oct. supplement."

Unless otherwise indicated in an event's advance publicity, the following ratings will be used:

Tournaments beginning in February or March will use the February rating supplement (usually same ratings as "March" Chess Life labels).

Tournaments beginning in April or May will use the April rating supplement (usually same ratings as "May" Chess Life labels).

Tournaments beginning in June or July will use the June rating supplement (usually same ratings as "July" Chess Life labels).

Tournaments beginning in August or September will use the August rating supplement (usually same ratings as "September" Chess Life labels).

Tournaments beginning in October or November will use the October rating supplement (usually same ratings as "November" Chess Life labels).

Tournaments beginning in December or January will use the December annual rating list (usually same ratings as "January" Chess Life labels).

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Beginning in January, 2007, rating supplements will be ran on a monthly basis. This means that all tournaments held in January will use the January Rating Supplement, all tournaments in February will use the February Rating Supplement, all tournaments in March will use the March Rating Supplement, etc.

Once Rated, Always Rated

You never lose your rating. If you have not played for many years, tell the organizer your approximate rating and year last played.

How Many Games Are Needed To Earn A Rating?

You must play at least four games to obtain a rating. For players with no more than 25 games, the number of games is indicated after the rating and a slash - for example, "1250/4" means a 1250 rating based on four games. Players with less than four games played are unrated, though their performance is saved in our computer awaiting additional games. For example, a player with "850/3" is unrated, but will obtain a rating after playing one more rated game.

Other Useful Information

Tournament Life provides details of coming events in your area. USCF membership is required. If not a member, add dues to mailed entry fee or pay them with entry at site. Dues, including 1 year Chess Life, are: regular $49, age 19 and under $25, age 65 & over $36; scholastic membership (receives Chess Life bi-monthly), age 14 and under, $19.

Events are listed in four separate sections. Except for "Non-ratable events," all require USCF membership.

• National Events. Co-sponsored by the USCF, these events offer official U.S. titles and most are open to bidding by USCF affiliates.
• Grand Prix. Major events, usually open to all, listed in date order. See "USCF GRAND PRIX" for more information.
• State listings. Mostly local tournaments, listed by state and then by date. Includes a reference to Grand Prix events.
• Non-ratable events (simuls, bughouse, doubles, lectures, etc.).

Special Events

• American Classics. Events that are open to all and have attracted more than 400 players for three consecutive years..
• Heritage Events. Tournaments held for at least 25 years.
• Action Tournaments. Events offering game in 30 time control. This lets players pack in more chess excitement in less time.
• Rated Beginners Opens. Usually one day events with low entry fees, open to Under 1200 or Unrated or a lower rating requirement.

HOW TO ENTER IN ADVANCE

Entering by mail is easier for both you and the tournament organizer and often costs less. Along with entry fee, send full name, address, USCF ID number, expiration date, and section desired (if any). Also give your last official USCF rating from your magazine label (first 4 numbers on top row). If you are unrated, or have a rating from many years ago, be sure to indicate this. Old ratings are still valid - you never lose your rating. Your official USCF ratings are on the top line of your mailing label: Regular, Quick, and Correspondence. You may use the handy coupon below to enter most events.

What To Take To A Tournament

Along with a pen or pencil, be sure to bring your USCF ID card (or current Chess Life). The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis will provide a chessboard, set, and clock.

Rating Classes: Everyone Can Win

In most events, you don't have to win the tournament to win a prize - you can win a class prize as a top scorer of your rating group, or a section prize in a section restricted to your rating group. These groups are:

• Senior Master 2400 & up
• Master 2200-2399
• Expert 2000-2199
• Class A 1800-1999
• Class B 1600-1799
• Class C 1400-1599
• Class D 1200-1399
• Class E 1199-1000
• Class F 999-800
• Class G 799-600
• Class H 599-400
• Class I 399-200
• Class J 199/below
• Minimum rating is 100

Some tournaments use different groups such as 1900-2099, and some have "under" prizes or sections including all below a specified level. Provisional ratings, based on 4-19 games, are eligible for all prizes unless otherwise stated.

After Mailing Your Entry

Mailed entries are usually not acknowledged unless you enclose a self-addressed postcard. They are refundable if you withdraw before round 1 is paired, unless otherwise stated. For National Events, refund requests must be submitted in writing no later than 30 days after the end of the tournament. Requests after this date may not be processed.

If You Must Withdraw

If you enter by mail and cannot attend, or must drop out of a tournament in progress, it is important you give notice before pairings are started. Mail entrants should send withdrawal notices at least a week before to be sure they arrive in time - if too late for this, phone. To withdraw by phone on tournament day, call the site and ask for "the chess tournament."

Hotel-Motel Rates

Rates listed are often special chess rates - you must request "chess rates" or you will be charged more. The chess rates may be unavailable if not reserved several weeks in advance, or if the block of chess rooms is used up. Hotel desks are often poorly informed about chess rates - if you find one uncooperative, ask for the Sales Office or contact the tournament organizer.

Other Helpful Information

For prizes of $600 or over, bring your U.S. Social Security card. If you have no Social Security number, the organizer must deduct 30% from your prize for the IRS (this includes foreigners).

For foreign players with multiple ratings (USCF, FIDE, CFC, FQE, other foreign), the highest of the ratings (plus possible adjustment points) is used, unless otherwise announced. Foreign players must inform the Tournament Director of all their foreign or FIDE ratings. FIDE or foreign ratings may be rejected or have adjustment points added. If details are not announced, players wishing to use such ratings should contact organizer in advance. Director may assign estimated rating to any player, and may expel an improperly rated player from event in progress.

Tournament Director Certification is an endorsement of professional competence only. Such certification does not in itself render any Tournament Director an agent of USCF, nor is any Affiliate an agent of USCF.