FIDE player for US Amateur Tournament

Running Chess Tournaments
1

Hello All!

I have a situation in which I’d be interested in hearing how others might deal with this.

There is a 2151 rated FIDE player that is interested in playing in the US Amateur West next month. This person’s FIDE rating has been roughly the same since January 2006 (unchanged since July 06 at the Olympiad). He does not have a USCF rating.

Normally I would add 50 to his FIDE rating and he’d be ineligible to play in the tournament, but I’m wondering if I should be lenient because it’s the Amateur and cash prizes are not awarded. And to make matters a little more confusing, first place does offer a Free Entry into the National Open (which does offer cash prizes).

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

  • Enrique
2

Enrique, are you prepared to give the same treatment to all other players without a USCF rating but with a FIDE rating under 2200?

3

I have not determined what my treatment will be so I’m not sure if it would be appropriate to treat all others the same way. But I would prefer something that I can be fair and consistent with.

  • Enrique
4

Mike,

Can you remind us what his initial USCF rating will be, based on ten games? If that’s below 2200, then I’d have no problem letting him into the tournament, since he could get that rating by playing zero games (essentially). Otherwise, I’d not allow it.

Alex Relyea

5

Because his FIDE rating is under 2200, his initial estimated USCF rating would be the same as his FIDE rating or 2151. Because it is over 2150 it would be based on 10 games. (If it is 2150 or below, it would be based on 5 games.)

However, as I recall the USCF rulebook cautions organizers that an estimated rating for rating system purposes is not necessarily the best choice of an estimated rating for section or prize eligibility purposes.

6

As the TD, you can assign any rating you want - as long as it is not lower than a published USCF rating. USCF = FIDE + 50 is merely a guideline.

In fact, USCF = FIDE + 50 is INCORRECT at the 2150 FIDE level.

Your player is USCF UNR - I see no problem with assigning him a rating (for prize and pairing purposes) of 2150.