Tournament Directors

This page contains useful information for US Chess certified Tournament Directors.

Safe Play 

• Safe Play Hub
• Direct Link to SafeSport Training Information

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

TD/Affiliate Area

• TD/Affiliate Area
  • Logging In/Creating a User Account on the US Chess Website
  • Batch Membership Process
  • Submitting Rating Reports

TD Certification

• TD Certification Rules (Information on TD levels and upgrading)
  • Club TD Application Form (becoming a certified Tournament Director): PDF | Word
    • NOTE: this form is UPDATED as of August 2024.
  • Local TD Experience Form: PDF | Word
  • Senior TD Experience Form: PDF | Word
  • Associate National TD Experience Form: PDF | Word
  • National TD Experience Form (Updated May 30, 2025): PDF | Word
• Demystifying Tournament Director Certification Requirements (condensed highlights)

(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?
  • Consent Form 1 related to being a TD at a US Chess National Event
  • Consent Form 2 related to 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)
  • How to use SwissSys
• Just the Rules Chess Life Online Column by NTD Tim Just
• Setting Popular Digital Clocks for Increment Time Controls by Micah Smith
  • Setting Popular Digital Clocks for G/90;inc/30 by Micah Smith
• US Chess Regular/Blitz Rule Differences Document by Micah Smith
• TD Town Hall 05.05.2024

FIDE Rated Events and FIDE Arbiters

• Information on FIDE Rated Tournaments in the USA
  • Video Presentation: Administrating FIDE Rated Events in the USA
  • Registering a FIDE Rated Tournament
  • Who May Be the Arbiter for a US Chess/FIDE Rated Tournament?
  • Regulations for FIDE Rated Tournaments
  • FIDE IDs - How to Obtain Them
  • Submitting FIDE Rated Tournaments to US Chess
• 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

• Click here to show email address - TD Information, certification and rules questions
• Click here to show email address - US Chess ratings reports, ratings issues
• Click here to show email address - FIDE related issues, rating reports, player/arbiter/organizer titles
• Click here to show email address - Applications for, or questions about, directing at US Chess National Events.
• Click here to show email address - Membership issues for individuals or affiliates
• US Chess Staff Page - specific contact information for US Chess staff