This page contains useful information for US Chess certified Tournament Directors.
Safe Play
Rules
- 7th Edition Rules - Online View or Download (including Chapter 10, Rules for Online Tournaments and Matches and Chapter 11, Blitz Rules)
- 7th Edition Rules - Paperback Version from US Chess Sales
- Match Rules
- Approved Electronic Scoresheet Devices
- Special Referees
- House Players
- Code of Ethics
- Safe Play Guidelines
TD/Affiliate Area
TD Certification
- TD Certification Rules (Information on TD levels and upgrading)
- Club TD Application Form (becoming a certified Tournament Director): PDF | Word | Fillable PDF (new!)
- NOTE: this form is UPDATED as of August 2023.
- Local TD Experience Form: PDF | Word
- Senior TD Experience Form: PDF | Word
- Associate National TD Experience Form: PDF | Word
- National TD Experience Form: PDF | Word
- Club TD Application Form (becoming a certified Tournament Director): PDF | Word | Fillable PDF (new!)
(NOTE: Effective June 1, 2023, any TD applicant that needs their TD certification to be active or renewed must give the TD Certification Group at least 10 business days to process and respond to such requests.)
Information
- Interested in being a TD at a US Chess National Event?
- Membership Form
- Tournament Report Form
- Tournament Clearinghouses
- US Chess Rating System
- US Chess Norms-based Titles System
- TLA Rates
- Accessible Chess Events Guidelines
Education
- TD Videos (The TD Show, Seminars, Workshops)
- Just the Rules Chess Life Online Column by NTD Tim Just
- Setting Popular Digital Clocks for Increment Time Controls by Micah Smith
- US Chess Regular/Blitz Rule Differences Document by Micah Smith
FIDE Rated Events and FIDE Arbiters
- Information on FIDE Rated Tournaments in the USA
- FIDE Rating Fees Charged by US Chess
- FIDE Handbook
- FIDE Rules Commission
- FIDE Arbiters Commission
- US Chess/FIDE Rule Differences Document Updated 1/1/2023 (effective for 7th Edition Rules and January 1, 2023 FIDE Laws of Chess
Contact Information
- tdcert-group@uschess.org - TD Information, certification and rules questions
- ratingsmgr@uschess.org - US Chess ratings reports, ratings issues
- fide@uschess.org - FIDE related issues, rating reports, player/arbiter/organizer titles
- eventapplications@uschess.org - Applications for, or questions about, directing at US Chess National Events.
- membership@uschess.org - Membership issues for individuals or affiliates
- US Chess Staff Page - specific contact information for US Chess staff
