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+USCF FAQ
+
+"Frequently Asked Questions About the United States Chess Federation"
+
+NOTE:  FICS is not affiliated with USCF in any way.  This help file is
+intended solely as a public service to FICS users and to promote chess.  The
+text was written by FICS users and sanctioned by USCF.  Neither USCF or FICS
+take any responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained in this
+file.
+
+____________________________________________________________________________
+
+--> What is USCF?
+
+    USCF stands for the United States Chess Federation.  USCF is the national
+chess organization for the United States.  Its purpose is to promote chess
+(see the USCF Mission Statement in another FICS help file, "uscf_mis").  USCF
+sponsors various kinds of chess tournaments, promotes chess in public schools
+and prisons, represents US interests in international chess organizations, and
+offers discounts on chess books and equipment.  USCF is composed of over
+82,000 individual members and 2100 local and state organizations (known as
+"affiliates").
+
+--> Are there other national chess organizations?
+
+    Yes.  USCF is the main organization for over-the-board (OTB) play.  They
+also sponsor correspondence ("postal") chess and Quick Chess (games with
+faster time controls) but other organizations have national importance in
+these two areas as well.  Information about these other organizations may be
+placed on FICS at a later date.
+
+--> What are the benefits for joining USCF?
+
+    Well, every member has a different reason for joining.  The benefits of
+membership include:
+
+    *   Chance to play in numerous chess tournaments and have national
+        ratings in OTB and postal chess
+    *   Cash prizes in tournaments
+    *   A monthly magazine, "Chess Life" ("SchoolMates" for younger
+        members).
+    *   Discounts for chess equipment and books.
+
+--> Tell me about the tournaments.
+
+    There are two main groups: Over-the-board (OTB) and Postal.  In OTB
+tournaments you play against other opponents face-to-face.  In Postal
+tournaments you play by mail and exchange moves, usually on postcards.
+Membership is necessary to play in a USCF tournament (there are some
+exceptions, but these are rare) and entry fees are charged.  A complete
+listing of upcoming OTB tournaments all across the United States should be
+available on FICS sometime in July.
+
+--> What are OTB tournaments like?
+
+    Most tournaments take one or two days over the weekend for maybe half a
+dozen games, though major national tournaments may last a week or two and
+involve many games.  A tournament may have anywhere from a dozen to 600 or
+even a thousand players.
+    Tournaments generally have different playing "sections" or groups of
+players based on their national ratings.  You only play opponents within your
+own section.  For example, a large tournament might have these five sections:
+Open, U2000, U1600, U1200, and Scholastic.  Any USCF member can play in the
+Open section, only those with a USCF rating under 2000 can play in U2000, only
+those below 1600 can play in the U1600 section, only those below 1200 can play
+in U1200 and only high school or younger students can play in the Scholastic.
+(A high school student with a USCF rating of 1300, for example, could choose
+to play in the Open, U2000, U1600 or Scholastic sections, but not in U1200.)
+The different sections allow players of similar strength to compete for
+prizes.
+    Tournament games can last anywhere from one or two hours up to four or
+five hours, depending on the time control of the tournament.  There are some
+Quick Chess tournaments with time controls of only 10 or 30 minutes per player
+per game.  Tournament time controls are very different than those used on
+FICS, so learn the details before playing in a tournament.
+    Tournaments generally offer cash prizes (!!), with the exception being the
+Scholastic tournaments which prefer to give out trophies instead.  Most
+tournaments offer prizes within each section (1st, 2nd and 3rd for example) as
+well as other prizes by ratings categories (for example, the U2000 section may
+have a prize for the best scoring U1800 player).
+     Chess tournaments, organized by the local USCF affiliates (especially
+state organizations and clubs) are held weekly all across the United States.
+Each tournament varies considerably in style, size, prize fund and difficulty.
+Information about USCF sanctioned tournaments is printed monthly in "Chess
+Life."  We also hope to make such information available on FICS.  We suggest
+you visit a tournament in your local area and catch the excitement!
+
+--> What if I want to play in an OTB tournament but never have before?
+
+    If you're unsure how tournaments run, it may be helpful to visit one or
+two before playing.  Almost all tournaments allow and encourage spectators.
+    You need to become aware of tournament rules and etiquette.  If you are in
+a tournament you will need to know when the rounds start, where the pairings
+(lists of who plays who) are posted, how to find your opponent, where to mark
+the result of your game, what the time controls are, how to use a chess clock,
+how to take notation (it is usually required to record the moves of your
+games), etc.
+    Most tournaments require that you bring your own equipment, but don't
+worry if you don't have a regulation set and clock.  Most of your opponents
+will, and there should be unused sets you can borrow any given round.  If you
+decide to play in more tournaments, you really should acquire regulation
+equipment.
+    All of this can seem very intimidating to a new player, but if you show up
+early, you should have plenty of time to ask the tournament director, or other
+players, to explain the whole process.  It may be helpful to obtain a copy of
+the US Chess Federation's "Official Rules of Chess" (4th ed) (available from
+USCF).
+    For your first tournament, either mail your entry fee in advance or pay it
+in person at the tournament site.  In either case, get there early in order to
+familiarize yourself with the rooms, the tournament organizers, and have a
+chance to ask questions.
+    Lastly, remember to just have fun and play some good chess.  Most people
+do not score very well in their first tournament, but some do win prizes
+(larger tournaments generally offer a few prizes for unrated players).
+
+--> What's postal chess all about?
+
+    Basically, you play by mail.  Your opponent could be from anywhere in the
+United States, or even overseas.  Generally, you play against opponents in a
+small section (4-7 players) with roughly your same level of ability, though
+there are also Open tournaments.  Each player is required to make a certain
+number of moves in a 30-day period (not including the time it takes for the
+mail to get through).  In examining your next move, you may consult with books
+and articles and take notes, but you may not have computers or humans analyze
+your games while they are in progress.
+    Each game may take as long as a year, sometimes longer, but you play
+several games simultaneously.  You can even have rated matches against
+opponents of your own choosing.  Some tournaments offer cash prizes; others
+offer certificates to the section winners.  Information about postal chess is
+given each month in "Chess Life."
+    Many people who are too busy to play OTB tournaments regularly, or even at
+all, find that postal chess matches their schedules perfectly.  They can
+analyze moves during lunch, in the evenings, stalled on the highway during
+rush hour, or whenever they have a few minutes free.  The time controls mean a
+move need not be sent off the day after it is received, and the players can
+therefore analyze positions at their leisure.
+
+--> Tell me more about "Chess Life".
+
+    "Chess Life" is USCF's official magazine.  It has numerous articles for
+players of all abilities, quizzes, ways to test your abilities, annotated
+games from recent tournaments across the world, stories on chess personalities
+and chess-related news.  "Chess Life" prints advance information on many
+upcoming chess tournaments in the US as well as postal chess.  It also has
+catalog supplements several times each year with information on discounts on
+chess-related products, including books, pieces, boards, computers and
+computer software.  Companies selling chess products often advertise in "Chess
+Life" as well.
+
+--> Tell me more about the affiliates.
+
+    An affiliate is simply a local chess club associated with USCF.  Almost
+every major city in the United States has an affiliate.  Many universities and
+other organizations sponsor one as well.  Currently there are just over 2000
+affiliates scattered across the nation.
+    Each club is different, but most generally hold informal meetings a few
+times per month, where the club members can get together and play games,
+discuss openings, study grandmaster games, eat doughnuts, or whatever.  Clubs
+are a great way to become involved in chess, and you normally do not need a
+USCF membership to join one.
+    Affiliates often sponsor USCF tournaments, some of which are open only to
+the club's members.  This depends on each individual affiliate, though.
+    You can write to USCF at the address below and request a list of
+affiliates in your area.
+
+--> Where do I get more information on USCF?
+
+    Well, "Dogma" on FICS would be more than willing to talk to you about USCF
+and playing in a tournament.  There are other USCFers on FICS, too, and you
+can ask them for their opinions.  You can also go directy to the source and
+call USCF at ... 1-800-388-KING ... and ask them to send you membership
+information, etc.
+    USCF provides free pamphlets on a variety of subjects, available on
+request.  These include, but are not limited to, pamphlets describing the
+rules, how to take notation, what constitutes official equipment, etc.  Call
+or write USCF for more information.
+
+--> How do I become a USCF member?
+
+    There are several ways.  You can join at virtually any tournament, call
+the above phone number and pay with a credit card, or send your membership fee
+directly to USCF at:
+    186 Route 9W
+    New Windsor, NY 12553
+    It may be possible to obtain a slight discount by buying your USCF
+membership through an affiliate, or as part of tournament registration fees;
+however, this depends on each individual affiliate and tournament.
+
+--> What is the membership fee?
+
+    The regular, one year membership fee is $40, of which $21 is the
+subscription to "Chess Life".  Youth memberships (age 19 and under) cost $15
+for one year.  Senior memberships (65 and older) are $30 per year.
+    Scholastic memberships cost $10 per year (generally for elementary
+students, but available for age 19 and under).  A scholastic membership is not
+necessary to play in scholastic tournaments; a youth membership would work
+just as well.  However, Scholastic membership receive "School Mates", a bi-
+monthly magazine for the beginning player, rather than the monthly "Chess
+Life".
+    All of the above membership types receive full membership benefits,
+including "Chess Life".  Again, the major difference between "Youth" members
+and "Scholastic" members is that youth members receive "Chess Life" while
+scholastic members receive "School Mates".
+    Discounts are available for junior, family, blind, and prison memberships.
+Discounts are also given for longer memberships (for example a two-year
+membership); life memberships are also available.
+
+--> Is USCF membership worth it?
+
+     If you are an avid chess player who wants to play in tournaments and have
+national ratings for OTB and/or postal chess, wants to keep up on the chess
+scene, or just wants to help promote chess in the United States, the answer is
+... YES!!!  Whether you have time for tournament chess, postal or both, a
+membership in USCF helps make you a stronger chess player while also bringing
+you into contact with other chess players world-wide.  You can play chess all
+your life, with family, friends, and fellow tournament players.  Chess is a
+sport that can give you lifelong satisfaction, and USCF gives you a great
+opportunity to learn, play, and make new friends along the way.    :)
+
+
+[Last modified October 22, 1995 by Dogma and Friar]
+