Just the Rules: Why TD TIPS?

By 2002, it had been a long decade since the publication of our 1993 4th edition rulebook (edited by Bill Goichberg and others). The delegates had delivered what seemed like tons of new or upgraded rules. The US Chess (then USCF) office had new procedures. The Executive Board implemented what seemed like masses of new policies. Those new rules, procedures and policies were dutifully cataloged each year in the annual rating list (and its printed supplements).

After almost ten years, that collection of updates took up a lot ink in those publications. It was time for a new rulebook; one that would include all those upgrades. Tim Just (moi) and Dan Burg were tagged in for the job of editing US Chess’s 5th edition (2003) rulebook. 

Dan and I created a list of updates and enhancements that got bounced off of a committee of 30 or so volunteers. That group kicked around their own thoughts for improvements plus acted as a sounding board for the 5th edition’s editorial ideas. One of our editorial ideas was for TD TIPs.

When I got the nod for the 5th edition editorship, I had just finished a gig as a columnist for the Illinois Chess Bulletin. That feature — "Rulebook Tactics" — came about because too many players had that glazed stare when it came to understanding technical rulebook jargon. The column’s focus was to unravel, in practical terms, just what all that legal-like mumbo jumbo was about. Those articles cultivated an improved sense in wood-pushers of what the rules were all about. 

The 5th edition editorship also came along at a time when, at the urging of Dan Burg’s wife, I took up walking as my exercise of choice. Not only did I get in shape, but it afforded me an opportunity to ponder, think and reflect about a variety of topics, including the 5th edition rulebook. One day while strolling along, a thought sneaked into my brain. A thought that married my TD Tactics column brainchild with the 5th edition. A thought that recognized that both players and TDs would benefit when practical rulebook applications were revealed. At that instant the TD TIPs were born.

TD TIPs are not rules. They change and shift focus at a faster pace than rules. They unlock rulebook secrets. They can be ignored. They are only suggestions. Rules are generally requirements. Rules are under the direct control of the delegates. The TIPs are managed by the editor. The editor takes advice on their content from a variety of sources, including the delegates. When a rule change is proposed, the delegates can suggest to the editor a TD TIP to accompany the new, or revised, rule phrasing. To date the editor (your author) has never turned down their suggestions. 

There is also an idea that has floated around to have the TIPs published in a separate volume; the rules in one book and the TIPs in another. Would our chess-playing members be willing to buy both of those volumes? Or is having both the rules and TIPs in the same source book a better idea? 

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 the podcasts “One Move at a Time” and “The Chess Angle.”