Introducing MUIR: Member Uploads, Information, and Reporting

US Chess Prepares to Launch New Membership Database and MUIR System

Over the past few years, US Chess has made steady progress toward modernizing its digital infrastructure. The next major step in that journey is the launch of our new membership database — a system designed to strengthen the organization’s ability to serve members efficiently, accurately, and in real time.

This new database will be vital to US Chess’s future operations. It will enable the federation to provide more timely information, enhanced member services, and improved communication. At the same time, it will reduce the amount of staff time needed to maintain internal systems, financial records, and donor data. The update also lays the groundwork for a unified and modernized website experience across all US Chess platforms.

Launch Timeline

The new database is scheduled to go live between Wednesday, Oct. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 1. We’ve allocated four days for the migration process, though we expect it may take less time. Given the large volume of records being transferred, the extra buffer allows us to plan responsibly for any unexpected issues.

Why These Dates?

The launch period was carefully selected to minimize disruption. Historically, this timeframe has lower tournament activity, allowing us to implement the migration with less impact on members.

We also aimed to avoid the busiest days of the week for member-related transactions (Friday through Monday) and to steer clear of the period when monthly rating supplements are generated.

What’s Changing

Members will notice significant improvements and updates across the site.

Updates to the Member Services Area (MSA)

The Member Services Area (MSA) — home to player ratings, tournament archives, and club/affiliate information — is the most heavily visited section of USChess.org, accounting for over 60% of all website traffic.

With the new system, the layout and structure of the MSA will change considerably to offer a cleaner and more intuitive experience.

While the MSA will remain accessible during the transition, tournament results will no longer be updated once the new MUIR (Member Uploads, Information, and Reporting) system fully launches.

TD/Affiliate Area

The Tournament Director and Affiliate Area will now be accessed exclusively through the MUIR platform. You’ll find the login link conveniently located in the top right-hand corner of the MUIR site.

Please note that submissions will no longer be accepted through the old system. All future reporting and uploads should be completed within MUIR moving forward. Tournament Directors, please familiarize yourself with the new system found in this pdf and in these videos, the change is coming soon!

Introducing MUIR: Member Uploads, Information, and Reporting

MUIR is an entirely new platform that supports data uploads, rating reports, and member information management in one integrated system. You can preview and participate in beta testing now.

Your feedback is essential. Every comment helps refine and improve the system before its official launch. Because the beta is being updated frequently, certain screens and user flows may change. We’ll continue to update our blog posts and documentation as those updates are implemented.

A step-by-step guide for Tournament Directors is also be provided to help rate events using the new MUIR system, and a live demo will be given on Monday, Oct. 27, at 7:00 p.m. CDT. 

• 🎥Watch a demo: YouTube Preview
• ♟️Test the MUIR Beta: beta-ratings.uschess.org
• 📋Submit Feedback:
  • General User Feedback Form
  • Tournament Director Feedback Form
• ❓Guide For TDs: Step-by-step guide
• 📽️Register for the live demo: Register here (Monday, Oct. 27, at 7:00 p.m. CDT)

Recognizing the Foundation Behind the Work

Maintaining a website as complex as USChess.org, with decades of data from numerous sources, is no small feat. While many contributors have played a role in shaping our IT systems, one person deserves special recognition: Mike Nolan.

For over 30 years, Mike has maintained and expanded the core infrastructure that keeps US Chess running. His deep technical expertise and understanding of our operational needs have been instrumental in Phase 1 of this project and will continue to guide Phase 2.

Every member who interacts with our systems benefits from his dedication and skill, and we extend our sincere gratitude for his service.

What to Expect Next

Testing and bug fixing are still ongoing as of this announcement. Images and instructions in our documentation may evolve as the system is finalized. We’ll ensure all materials reflect the most up-to-date screens before the official launch.

If you’re unsure whether you have an email address on file with US Chess, you can verify it by clicking “Member Site Login” on the home page. Follow the instructions to reset your password or create your account using your US Chess ID.

If your member record already includes an email address, that information will transfer automatically to the new system. Please also confirm that your demographic details are current: This helps ensure a smooth transition to MUIR.

Legacy Systems and Future Phases

Some of our legacy systems will remain operational during the transition. We’re committed to preserving existing features while working closely with our development partner, Leago, to restore and expand functionality in upcoming phases.

Phase 1 focuses on stability and core functions. Phase 2 will introduce a wider range of new features and performance improvements.

Managing Expectations and Moving Forward

Hundreds of hours of testing and preparation have gone into this launch — from the Leago development team to US Chess staff and volunteers. Despite extensive testing, we anticipate some issues may arise after launch. Your patience and feedback will be invaluable as we continue refining the system.

At the bottom of every page, you’ll find a “Share Your Feedback” section, where you can report any bugs or irregularities. Please use that link to let us know about problems or suggestions.

A dedicated post and downloadable PDF guide is available now detailing how to submit rating reports under the new system.

With your support, the launch of the new US Chess database and MUIR system will mark a major milestone in modernizing the federation’s digital operations, paving the way for more efficient service, stronger community connections, and a more seamless member experience.

Please contact Click here to show email address with any questions.