Just the Rules: Highlighted Rulebook Updates From 2026 Delegates Meeting

The annual U.S. Open produces more than just exciting chess. The Delegates meet to tweak, create, and massage our rulebook. This year had only one major rules upgrade, but it was indeed major. In fact, it covered an entire chapter. The old correspondence chess rules (chapter 9) were overhauled to meet the needs of our correspondence chess community. But other motions were passed that can impact the rulebook in years to come, and several more attempts to shake things up failed to pass muster. Read on! 

But first…

Egg on my face: An earlier column outlined a minor, but important, inconsistency between the online and printed versions of rule 21L1. One version dictated a time limit of seven days to contact US Chess regarding appeals. The other version’s time stamp was set at ten days. A fellow delegate pointed out that both versions were currently set at ten days. There was no conflict!? There was no need to change anything. Oops. My bad! 

My motion met its demise at the membership meeting before it could bite the dust on the actual Delegate’s Meeting agenda. Why make that motion at the membership meeting first, instead of the Delegates meeting? Motions that pass at the membership meeting — held the day before the Delegates debate fest — are first in line for any other thumbs up or thumbs down agenda vote. 

Electronic Communication Devices (rule 20 N): With the advent of more and more new electronic gear (for example smart glasses — prescription no less!?) the Rules Committee is going to revisit the wording of rule 20N. The hope is to accommodate legitimate disabilities while discouraging unfair play strategies. Those suggestions are scheduled to be presented at next year’s Delegate Convention. 

The Entire Rulebook Online? There was a motion to make every page of our rulebook available online. That sounds simple enough — until the nooks and crannies get examined: loss of income from the printed edition, contractual obligations with the book seller, readability on cell phones, etc. The powers that be — the Executive Board — are charged with investigating the entire ups and downs of publishing the complete text of our rulebook on the Net. 

Our correspondence chess regulations were long overdue for an upgrade, as mentioned. Modernizing those rules brings US Chess more in line with other organizations. Watch for an upcoming announcement regarding their starting date. Michael Buss is technically a US Chess staffer in charge of correspondence chess. He revised chapter nine. Because he is not a Delegate, he is not allowed to make motions at the meeting. I sponsored — as a Delegate — his revisions last year. His work was sent off to the Rules Committee and was then approved by the Delegates at this year’s convention. Thanks Michael! 

One rulebook motion failed to pass mustard. A change in approved rated game time limits that would impact “dual ratings” got the thumbs down from the lawgivers. Dual ratings are still the law of the land. 

Another unusual motion asked for advice on a policy that would impact rating fees several years down the road. It provided a forum for input that had no immediate effect — just immediate advice. No definitive conclusion was reached. Besides, that is a policy, not a rulebook, decision. 

Besides rulebook concerns the Delegates looked at Board- and Office-recommended policy suggestions, plus some possible bylaws revisions. Again, no immediate rulebook impact. 

Want more? Past columns can be found here or by searching the Chess Life Online archives. 
Plus, listen to Tim when he was a guest on “One Move at a Time”, “The Chess Angle” and his interview hosted by Kathy Lin (Columbus Chess Academy).

TDs are the rock that our tournaments are built on. Now, you can check out the latest list of TDs that recently upgraded: Introducing TD Upgrades Chart | US Chess.org

Tim Just is a National Tournament Director, FIDE National Arbiter, and editor of the 5th, 6th, and 7th editions of the US Chess Rulebook. He is also the author of My Opponent is Eating a Doughnut & Just Law, the latter of which is also available from US Chess Sales. Additionally, Tim revised The Guide To Scholastic Chess, a guide created to help teachers and scholastic organizers who wish to begin, improve, or strengthen their school chess program. US Chess awarded the 2022 Tournament Director Lifetime Achievement Award to Tim. He is also a member of the US Chess Rules Committee plus the Tournament Director Certification Committee (TDCC). His new column, exclusive to US Chess, “Just the Rules” will help clarify potentially confusing regulations.