The US Chess Federation: A Guide for Chess Players
Hey, chess player! Are you ready to make it official? The US Chess Federation (US Chess) should be your first stop! US Chess is the only place to get an official US player rating — and a great resource for tournament information, training and educational opportunities, and the latest news on chess governance. Over 112,000 players are members of US Chess.
In this article, we’ll go over essential information about US Chess for chess players, including ratings, rules, and reading materials (plus more).
Official Player Ratings
One big reason players sign up for a membership with US Chess is an official player rating. All members are eligible to earn a rating by participating in rated events. Many events are available! Events can be local or national, online or in person, just so long as they meet US Chess requirements. Tournament directors report event results, and US Chess assigns or adjusts ratings. It typically takes a few weeks for tournament results to reflect in ratings.
There are seven categories of ratings. In person ratings include Regular, Quick, Blitz, and Correspondence chess. Regular, Blitz, and Quick also have online ratings. Some events may qualify in more than one category. Players must have four rated games in a category for a provisional rating to be calculated. After 25 games, a player earns a permanent rating. Once you have a rating, you have one for life. Ratings are one of the best ways to measure improvement over time.
Players who are currently active in rated events and maintain their US Chess membership are eligible for ranking against other players. The Top 100 list is published monthly, including rankings by type of chess, age, and sex. Active players can find their national and state rankings published in their profile.
US Chess Tournaments and Events
US Chess holds many of the premier tournaments in the United States each year, including the US Open, the scholastic Supernationals, and many more. Some of these tournaments are open to all, others are invitationals showcasing the top players in the nation. Find a listing of national tournaments, including those hosted by affiliates, here. The Upcoming Tournaments Listings are a great way to find events in your area via a searchable list.
Rules and Governance
US Chess sets the official rules of chess competition in the United States. The most recent version of the rulebook, US Chess Federation's Official Rules of Chess (7th Edition), was published in 2024. Every tournament director is required to have a copy of the rulebook available to settle any and all questions. It’s a good idea to have your own copy to consult as a player, both as a learning tool and resource during play.
US Chess has implemented the Safe Play Program in partnership with the U.S. Center for SafeSport, an initiative dedicated to ensuring the physical and mental safety of all athletes. All US Chess-certified Tournament Directors are required to complete core training and annual refreshers. Players should feel safe in all chess spaces, focusing on their game without fear of abuse or unwanted interactions. (Note: To report a violation of the Safe Play policy, you can click here. It takes all of us to keep everyone safe.)
Along with representing the United States chess community in the International Chess Federation (commonly known as FIDE), the US Chess Executive Board oversees chess governance in the US. State delegates elected by each state chapter convene annually to submit new proposals and vote on them, attend workshops, and connect.
US Chess handles disciplinary actions for players who violate rules, ethical guidelines, or Safe Play guidelines. If the player is found to be in violation, US Chess can issue various conditions, from temporary suspensions of tournament entry all the way to a lifetime ban from the US sport.
Outreach Programs
US Chess is committed to making chess a welcoming space for everyone. Areas of focus include women and girls in chess, at-risk youth, and senior citizens, among others. Donations from members fund these programs (US Chess is a 501(c)(3) organization). As the popularity of chess grows, creating spaces that are supportive and nonintimidating for new players is important!
One example — US Chess sponsors special community building and educational clubs for girls at events and online. Special guests such as GM Irina Krush and GM Judit Polgar have shown girls that there are no limits to their achievements in chess. Another example — US Chess provides equipment and resources for at-risk youth chess programs. Children who learn chess typically grow in other areas as well, including focus and concentration. Access to chess sets can be life-changing!
Publications by US Chess
US Chess puts out two major publications for players: Chess Life and Chess Life Kids. Chess Life comes out monthly, and Chess Life Kids comes out six times per year.
With a variety of content for players of all levels, Chess Life is considered one of the standards of chess journalism in the US. Interviews with high-ranking players showcase the human side of chess, while tournament reports get into the nitty-gritty details. Chess Life is a great resource for those who want to stay informed on new developments in the sport and follow the careers of the upper echelon.
Chess Life Kids is a lot of fun! Aimed at the younger scholastic player, this magazine has fun features, instructional chess articles, and even content written by kids, for kids. Always a coveted read at chess club, Chess Life Kids is encouraging and inspiring, with enough fun content to keep casual chess kids engaged.
Members of US Chess have access to the digital versions of both magazines, and may opt-in for printed versions for a small fee.
How to Become a Member of US Chess
If all of that sounds like something you want to be part of, becoming a member of US Chess is easy! In addition to earning a rating and access to Chess Life/Chess Life Kids, US Chess members have voting rights in US Chess Elections, participating in setting priorities and direction for the Executive Board. Educational webinars and certifications are available to members. Sign up online at Join US Chess.
Members of US Chess have a place in a thriving chess community. The resources and guidance of US Chess ensure the sport is fair, safe, and available to everyone, whether they’re just starting out or ready to join the world stage. US Chess is truly living up to its mission to empower people, enrich lives, and enhance communities through chess!