Non-Member House Players
House players are covered in the current (7th edition) US Chess rulebook under rule 28M1:
28M1. The house player: Sometimes a spectator will agree to play a game against a player who would otherwise expect a bye. It is desirable that this spectator has a rating approximately within the range of the lowest score group, but this is not required. The player is voluntarily giving up a free point to play; so no one can legitimately claim the opponent is too weak. |
Except for membership-exempt events, all players in an event other than house players are covered under Rule 23C:
23C US Chess Membership Requirement. For the inclusive dates of the tournament, each player must be a member in good standing of US Chess, unless US Chess regulations waive this requirement. |
Guidelines
US Chess Rule 28M1 applies for all house players. In order for a non-member to be eligible for a membership exception as a house player under the Delegate rule from 1990, all of the following should be true:
- The house player should not be someone who paid an entry fee, was given a complimentary entry or in any other way registered to play in the event.
- The house player, if rated, should have a rating similar to the other players in the bottom score group. As a practical measure, this means that the house player should probably be in the bottom third of the field.
- The house player is not eligible for any prizes. (The TD Tip for Rule 28M1 specifically requires this for a 'permanent' house player, i.e., a house player who is paired normally for all rounds in which there are an odd number of players.)
- There should be only one house player in a section in any round. (A different house player may be used for each round if a permanent house player is not being used.)
The rating report review request for a house player who does not meet one or more of the above conditions will need to be reviewed by the US Chess office. Please use the 'comments' field to explain why this non-member met the conditions for being a house player.
When requesting a rating report review for a house player, if that house player competed in the majority of the rounds and scored 75% or higher in the event, this membership exception will require office review and approval.
Remember, a non-member cannot be declared a 'house player' simply to get around the membership requirement in Rule 23C.
There is a $20 two-month trial membership which should be used for adult non-members and a $20 one-year 'International Online' membership that can be used for players who live outside the USA. (The one-year dues rates available for players youth players are usually a better deal.)
There is a $10 (per player) 'membership correction allowance' assessed for non-members in US Chess rated events. This is intended to address situations where TDs discover after an event ends that a player did not have a current US Chess membership and it is not intended as a tournament membership. If the number of membership correction allowance for an event is excessive, the event will require office review and approval before it can be submitted for rating. Events allow a limited number of membership corrections (players/50 +1). Each allowance adds $10 to the event submission fee. Tournament Directors and affiliates abusing the $10 membership correction allowance option may be sanctioned.
These membership options are available through the Affiliate Dashboard.
In situations where there is a legitimate question about whether a membership was purchased, please contact the US Chess office.
