Don't Be cRule - Home

I’ll occasionally be posting on rules matters that show up in WCC or other local events as TDs discuss them. 

I hold a Local TD certification but there are a number of Senior TDs in our local rota, and I certainly rely on them when necessary (with attribution). 

I’ll usually cover one or two topics in each post, and I’ll try to begin with OTB ground rules and common scenarios. Even if you’re an experienced player, it may help (or even save you ½ point here and there) to be well acquainted with these… 

Items on my initial list to cover include:

• Getting rulings during a game - done Dec '24
• How to offer a draw properly - done Dec '24
• How to claim a draw properly (not the same thing as above...) - done Jan '25
• Keeping score, taking notes, electronic scoresheets - done Dec '24

I seem to have gotten through most of these, let me know what you want to see next.  If not, I'll probably resort to these:

• How does the Swiss system and pairings work - done Apr '26
• How the rating system works
• Explaining the USCF class and "title" systems

You can always drop me a line at chess@demastri.com if you want to see anything covered.

John DeMastri

chess@demastri.com

Archive (and TL;DRs for each post):

Dec '24 - Getting a Ruling During a Game

• Stop the clock
• State the issue to your opponent and quickly resolve if possible ** preferred outcome **
• Don’t argue about anything – there's no point, the TD will resolve the issue
• Get a TD
• Explain the case
• TD will issue ruling
• Play will proceed from there

Dec '24 - How to Properly Offer a Draw (be sure your kids/coached players know this!)

• DO
• Be on move
• Make your move first
• Offer a draw to your opponent
• Finally, hit your clock to complete your move
• DON'T
• Don't offer another draw unless circumstances of the position or clock have materially changed
• Don’t take offense at a draw request or a declined offer.  Remember, players see different possibilities (correct or not) in a position based on their relative strength and experience

Dec '24 - Keeping Score 

• Make your move on the board, then write it on your scoresheet
• You must keep score for the entire game if the current delay / increment is at least 30 seconds.  If not, you may both stop when you or your opponent have less than 5 min  remaining in the current time control.
• Your scoresheet must be visible to the TD/arbiter and your opponent at ALL times
• You can ask your opponent to review their scoresheet if needed - both players are expected to catch up after a time control has been reached
• Don't Take Notes - only track header info, moves, time used and draw offers - don't write and/or alter candidate moves before making them on the board
• Having a complete game score can help support some draw or rule violation claims

Jan '25 - Claiming a Draw

• know the actual requirements for the kind of draw you're claiming
• For a 14F 50-move claim - if your move completes the 50th move set, write it down but don't make it on the board.   If your opponent's last move completes the set, you don't need to do anything but make the claim.
• For a 14C triple occurrence of position claim - if your move completes the claim,  make the move on the board and write it down but don't complete your move by pressing your clock.  If your opponent's move completes the repetition you don't need to do anything but make the claim.
• know what positions qualify for a 14D claim - remember your pieces can be used as traitors to helpmate you for this claim, so it's usually very bare, simple positions that qualify
• know how to maneuver your opponent so you can make a 14E claim even if your flag falls (take that last P so it's KN - good claim - instead of KNP - bad claim...)
• stop clocks and state the claim to your opponent.   If they agree, it's drawn
• if they don't agree, get a TD
• abide by the decision made
• Note: There Is No Insufficient Losing Chances Claim under USCF rules, and it's certainly not relevant if delay or increment is in use !
  

Apr '26 - What is the Swiss System?

• Swiss System lets more players stay involved longer in a multiple round event while better identifying a clear winner, knockout events cut the field on every round, round robins need more rounds to find a winner.
• Rounds are paired by score group, with top half (by rating) in that score group playing the bottom half.  Colors assigned to equalize over course of the event.