US Chess Lifts COVID-19 Rules Suspensions

In March of 2020, the US Chess Executive Board passed several measures to temporarily relax or suspend certain rules on prize payouts for Grand Prix and non-Grand Prix events. The motions that governed these changes contained language that specified an expiration date of December 31, 2020. The adjusted rules may be found here.

The Executive Board recognized that the return to OTB, particularly during the first half of 2021, was fragile. Therefore, US Chess continued to allow organizers to offer over-the-board (OTB) tournaments under the March 2020 rules suspensions. The goal was to help organizers avoid financial damage because of continuing attendance impacts brought on by COVID-19.

While the pandemic is not yet over, US Chess is so pleased that the return to OTB play has been robust for several months now. Therefore, as of October 31, 2021, the rules suspensions originally announced in March 2020 are no longer in effect. US Chess expects organizers will resume all original (pre-pandemic) prize structure practices. All prize payouts must fully adhere to the current US Chess rules for both Grand Prix and non-Grand Prix events.

Please contact the Director of Events, Boyd Reed, at boyd.reed@uschess.org if you have any questions regarding this matter. Thank you for your continued support of US Chess!