Originally posted by RamnedWell you have to show up to a chess club and pay the Uscf memebership and then play in uscf rated matches.
I have never played in a life tournament or been apart of a league such as USCF...how do you?
(I have won 1/1 tournaments...but it was an 8th grade tournament!)
I'm 1500 here. About how would I do with that/OTB do you think.
Wish there were clubs in my area, sigh.
(Is OTB untimed?)
Or you chould just pay the Uscf fee and get maganizes and whatever else they give you and not play uscf chess.
But if there isn't a club near by, don't bother with the uscf memebership, not worth it.
Our CFC is $41 and Uscf must be more then that I think.
Otb= over the board. You play an opponent live and there is a timer.
Usually it's 90 minutes each to 120 minutes each. Your time expires = you lose.
Originally posted by RamnedWhere are you? Near St. Louis?
I have never played in a life tournament or been apart of a league such as USCF...how do you?
(I have won 1/1 tournaments...but it was an 8th grade tournament!)
I'm 1500 here. About how would I do with that/OTB do you think.
Wish there were clubs in my area, sigh.
(Is OTB untimed?)
Anyway adult is $39 and the rest are cheaper. You are familiar with google I assume.
https://secure.uschess.org/webstore/member.php?wkmemtp=R1
http://www.mochess.org/
http://www.ilchess.org/
http://www.uschess.org/clubs/
You don't have to be a USCF member to attend clubs. If you're not going to play USCF rated games/tournaments there really isn't any reason to join. The magazine, 'Chess Life' is not very good in my opinion.
iono, chess life is ok....
I live in Southern, CA (Los Angeles to be exact, you know, the guys that the Rams ditched for St Louis?) and there are a few large scale tournaments held down here every year (e.g. the American Open) but it does seem that a lot of chess shtuff revolves around NY.
just buy a membership at uschess.org, it costs less online
If I weren't a life member of the USCF, I wouldn't bother joining the USCF because I no longer play in tournaments and the magazine is next to worthless. If you can, join a local club instead. Otherwise expect to spend $39/yr, $25 to $300 enty fees, $75-100 a night for a hotel room, $30-50/day for food, plus your transportation, and enjoy playing 6-8 hrs a day on the weekend. I'll stick with postal/internet myself.
I am also a Life Member, and I have no problems with the magazine other than it's lack of international coverage. They focus mainly on Scholastic chess and GM Instruction (End game labs, opening theories, pawn power, etc).
However, I only really joined the USCF to play in tournaments, and since I live in South-Central U.S. There aren't a lot of events within a 200 mile radius. So, I play correspondence chess with the USCF.
I agree, if you don't want to play in USCF tournaments, there really isn't a reason to join. The CCA is nice from what I hear, but their tourneys are even more widespread I think.
Originally posted by masscatThats one way of looking at it. However, local clubs are a totally different story. I spend my $39/year to be a USCF member, $15/year to be a Iowa State Chess Association member and I play 4-8 local tournaments (< 100 miles) / year as well as numerous Wednesday night quick chess tournaments. I would love to travel to the huge events USOpen, World Open, Chicago open etc. but that it way too expensive and time consuming.
If I weren't a life member of the USCF, I wouldn't bother joining the USCF because I no longer play in tournaments and the magazine is next to worthless. If you can, join a local club instead. Otherwise expect to spend $39/yr, $25 to $300 enty fees, $75-100 a night for a hotel room, $30-50/day for food, plus your transportation, and enjoy playing 6-8 hrs a day on the weekend. I'll stick with postal/internet myself.
Originally posted by AlphaAlekhineSo, I play correspondence chess with the USCF. b]I used to play correspondence with the old Chess Review, but when it became part of the USCF, the USCF didn't really put much effort in their correspondence sector so I haven't played there in years. I play for the CCLA which is exclusively correspondence, though they are experimenting with server play using the ICCF server. They also have e-mail social quarterlies and one major e-mail event. However, all games can be played by e-mail if both players agree. Ratings are pretty up to date also. How does this compare to the USCF's treatment of postal play these days?
I can tell you that I sent of entry for the John W. Collins Memorial over a month ago, and have not received my first round pairings. Which isn't too strange in itself, but it has taken about a week longer than it usually does. I remember when I signed up for the 96 Golden Knights, I got my games in about two weeks.
Add to this the fact that emailed Alex Dunne, and upon not receiving an answer to my inquiry from him, I emailed Joan DuBois. She has always been very nice and told me that she would forward my email to Dunne, and he would let me know. So, now the ball is back in the arses court. I don't like the man for some reason.
All in all, USCF doesn't offer too many CC tourneys, but you can play rated MATCHES all you want.
I live in Oregon and joined the USCF.I received the Mags for a year and that was about it.I manage a restaraunt and ask a lot of the kids if they play chess.Most dont.Most of the kids nowadays are into gaming. I play over the board games at pioneer courthouse square against the bums.Some of those guys are pretty good. Most of the really good players hang out in the coffee shops and play there. Chess in the USA isnt what it was back in the 70s.Hell I even lettered in chess in my highschool. Boy did I get teased for that! Noone in my circle of friends even knows that Kasperov retired ..let alone who he even is..
Originally posted by drmccoyHey! I've played there. I lived in Seattle 97-02. Played completely hung over. We were in town for NXNW.
I I play over the board games at pioneer courthouse square against the bums.Some of those guys are pretty good.
BTW, do you know of a tavern in PDX named Katie O'malleys or something along those lines? Wasn't downtown but in the neighborhoods. Just curious as I couldn't find it in the Portland phone listings.
man I miss the Northwest.