In August, my first 3-year term as a Tournament Director ends (ie: Club TD). Do I really need to promote to Local TD? Can’t I just stay at Club TD as all I need to do is run very simple tournaments for my High School chess club and occasionally assist at other events?
For example:
uschess.org/msa/MbrDtlTnmtDir.php?12427668.1
TIA,
AJG
I am not sure if you can stay at Club TD, but I really think it would be better if you were able to upgrade to the Local TD level. There is no benefit to staying at Club and if you ever had a tournament over 50 players you would need Local.
I think the best reason to advance is that it would only benefit you. The test for Local wouldn’t be too hard with the experience you have as a TD.
So in the end I would encourage you to go the extra step and advance to Local TD. 
[b]Club TD Expiration.
Three-year nonrenewable term. After three years, the club TD must apply for local TD status. The Tournament Director Certification Committee (TDCC) may, at its discretion, reinstate club TD certification for a TD who fails all of the local TD tests after three full years of experience [/b](USCF Chapter 7, Rule 25 - p. 247)
I echo the thoughts of jriker. In addition, the Local TD test is a great opportunity to expand/verify your knowledge, and it is open-book so there’s really no need to be anxious about failing. Also, the TDCC may, at its discretion, renew the Club TD in case he does fail the Local test.
-Terry
Your quote in red is exactly why I asked if I could just stay at the club level.
OK, I’ll give it a shot. Will I be given this open book test via snailmail some time in August? In the meantime, from August until I pass the exam, can I still function as a Club TD?
TIA,
AJG
Is there something that I’m missing that’s stated in the quote that I gave that implies that you can stay at the club level ?
“Three year [i]nonrenewable[/i] term”.
“After three years the club TD [i]must[/i] apply for local TD status.”
The only way you could stay at club level is if you failed the test, AND, if the TDCC, in its discretion, reinstated you. Perhaps this is what is misleading. I guess you could fail the test and get reinstated.
As to the other question, you should probably apply now to USCF and get the test on its way. You should be able to take the test before August, (no need to wait until your level expires) and since USCF can sometimes be slow, I’d recommend requesting the test now. Use the form at uschess.org/about/contact.php to contact them. Select 'Chess Rules and TD Questions" from the Subject line drop down menu.
Hope this helps,
Terry
Want to make it clear, it is about taking the test at the end of your term as a club tournament director. If you do not take the test, at the end of August your term will end. As all tournament directors terms end on the last day of the month, it will end August 31, 2004. If you do fail the local test the first time you can take the test again eight weeks after it was graded, as the federation would rather have a active tournament director they will keep you at the club level for three more years even if you fail the test. The reason for the test at the end of your term is to see if you care to be a local tournament director.
It is a little missleading when they say take all the local tests then can be re-instated at the club level, the reason for this is they always change the tests around every 6 months. If that is the case, fail the first time take the test again 8 weeks after failing the test after its graded, fail the test a second time take the test six months after the test was graded and take it every six months. When they say fail all the local tests then they can give you a second term at the club level is a dream that can never come true: if they follow the logical outcome of the wording.
If you still have questions go to the form of “from club tournament director to local tournament director”.
Earnest,
Douglas M. Forsythe, local td
USCF ID: 12313120
I was told on this forum to apply online from the uschess.org website. I have now done so twice with no respomce. What else can I do?
TIA,
AJG
You should understand that when anyone other than an employee of USCF offers an opinion on this forum, it is only that- his opinion. If it has been your understanding that you can request a TD exam through any website, you understood wrong. The only way anyone can request a TD test is apply directly to the office. The procedure is spelled out in chapter 7. I direct you to page 241 of the Official Rules. The way to do this is by writing to the New Windsor address, by email to ratings@uschess.org or by phoning me at ext 182.
I am directed by the TD Certification Committee not to send a test to anyone who has not specifically requested it. And of course, I will not send the test to anyone who does not meet the requirements specified in chapter 7.
I would not send the Local TD exam to you, for example, until you have achieved an established rating.
Larry Pond
USCF
Tournament Services
Given the number of staff reductions at the USCF office, it is possible that some of the contact addresses on the website form aren’t being covered by any current employees. I’ve suggested they double-check that all of the addresses are being monitored.
Even if the address is assigned to someone, the USCF office is really backlogged in every department, including reading and responding to e-mail.
I probably will get in trouble for saying this, but here goes.
I have been a club level TD for 7 (!) years now. I started in 1997 by sending a letter to the USCF office that I own, read, and understand the 4th edition rule book. I promptly got my club TD card and a package about running tournaments. Sometime in 2000, I sent another letter requesting the local TD exam, although I had only directed/assisted in five tournaments over those three years. I got no response. I assumed that the USCF would eventually find out that I’m still officially a club TD, and either rebuke me or send me the local TD exam. They have done neither. Perhaps this is because most of my TD credits are as assistant floor TD at scholastic tournaments. According to the member services site, I now have 14 events to my name.
I have little doubt that I can pass the local TD exam, since I’m a very active tournament player (master) and routinely listen to TD related conflicts. But how do I get the USCF to actually send me one? Being a club TD forever is fine with me (I currently have no intention to actually run my own events), but I get the impression that’s against USCF rules.
Someone else suggested sending email, but with the current USCF staffing shortage, we all know that route doesn’t work well unless you have inside connections.
Michael Aigner
12595730
There are several inaccuracies in your posting.
First, you have not been a Club TD for 7 (!) years. You were certified at the Club level from March, 1997 through March, 2000. Since your Club level certification expired in March, 2000, you have not been a certified tournament director.
If, in 2000 you requested the Local TD exam, we should have acknowledged your request and if, as you say, you met the qualifications, we should have sent you the test. If we dropped the ball, I apologize. The test will go out in tomarow’s mail.
For your future benefit, and for the benefit of anyone else who may read this, it is not appropriate to request a test through this forum. Every request is considered individually. See the comments I attached to A Jorge Garcia earlier today.
I’m glad you appreciate our staffing problems, but if you don’t get a responce, for goodness sake don’t just ignore it for four years. Send a follow-up after a reasonable time. Two weeks is a reasonable time.
Larry Pond
USCF
Tournament Services
Thank you Mr. Pond for the detailed reply and explanation.
Michael Aigner
Dear Mr. Pond:
I missed your reply to me above as you appended it to my own posting…
Do you mean that I have to have an established standard rating? Doesn’t my established quick rating count?
Well, that’s not going to happen this year as I only have the opportunity to play in such an event about twice a year (4SS, G/60). I only have 12 such games now. How many do I need, over 26?
I suppose I’ll need a Club TD extension for next year.
TIA,
AJG
Dear A. Jorge Garcia:
As you say you have 12 games, and need 26 games for being a established player. Can see the problem for having 14 games in the next year, as some players only have time for one tournament a mouth, with 3 or 4 games a tournament, will take you some time.
If you know a good friend, play a rated match of 14 games. Have the time control be set at G/30, at the most it would take you 14 hours to get a established rating, plus the time between games. With best luck, you can take care of that problem in two days.
As it is a match you will still have to follow the rules of match play, the other player can not be greater or lesser then 400 points from your rating(s).
Earnest,
Douglas M. Forsythe, local td
Ok, that’s a good idea. Do I have to play a match against someone with an established rating? My son and I are now about the same rating, but he is not established either. Could I play a match with him for this purpose?
TIA,
AJG
If you and your son are within 400 points between each other you and your son can play a match. Look on page 261 of the rule book, if both of you have a rating of 400 points or less of the latest published rating prior to the match, then the match can be rated.
So if your rating is 1450, you cannot play in a match someone greater then 1850 or you cannot play someone in a match that is less then 1050. During the match your rating cannot go up higher then 50 points in a match.
Myself play a 20 game quick match, as the USCF software cannot have a section that is greater then 20 rounds. So if your thinking of a Fisher match, or the old FIDE Would Championship match of 24 games, then the 21st game will go into the section section of the match. If you want to look at my match record, check my MSA and my number is 12313120.
If you and your son regular and quick rating are within the 400 point range, you can play a match between G/30 and G/60 and get double the credit. For a match, some people just call it MATCH but there are almost 400 events with that name. Just use your last name twice with the word match at the end of the event; then again you can name the event whatever you want.
Earnest,
Douglas M. Forsythe, local td
12313120
Dear A. Jorge Garcia:
If your son is Gabriel Garcia then you and your son can play a match for quick and regular.
Checked your MSA tournament record and did find a Gabriel Garcia, his rating is 1036/24 and quick is 966/16. Your rating is 1029/12 and quick rating is 1153. So the difference for regular is 7, and quick is 187, as you are both within the 400 point range the match can take place. As you need 14 games to get a established regular rating, and your son would need 10 games to get a established quick rating, just have the time control be between G/30 and G/60, so both of you can get a established rating.
Earnest,
Douglas M. Forsythe, local td
Individual matches shall be rated if:
Both players have ratings, and their differential is less than 400 points (the latest published rating prior to the match will be used for calculating the rating difference).
Reports are validated by a certified tournament director or by a notarized statement signed by both players.The maximum rating change allowed from a match is 50 points. No player may go up or down more than one rating class within a three-year period solely through match play. Match results will not be taken into account for invitational events unless they are subsequently confirmed in tournament play.
Dual rating:
In order to increase the accuracy of Quick ratings by enlarging the sample of games rated, some tournaments with time controls between G/30 and G/60 are now rated in the Quick as well as the regular rating system. The events that are dual rated are:
Those submitted for rating on disk which indicate a time control of G/30 to G/60. No extra fee is required.
Those submitted for rating on paper which both indicate a time control of G/30 to G/60 and pay double the usual rating fee.
Rating fees:
The minimum rating fee is $5 for reports submitted on disk, $8 for reports submitted on paper. The rating fee is 20 cents per game for reports submitted on disk and 40 cents per game for reports submitted on paper. There is no reduction for scholastic or Quick tournaments.
Earnest,
Douglas M. Forsythe, local td
Do both the regular rating and the quick rating need to be established before taking the Local TD exam?
TIA,
AJG
Lookn page 247 -248 of the rule book, then look at page 240 The quote " Except at the club level, all certified TDs must have an established USCF rating as an over-the-board player." Then again there are members that never have or wanted a quick rating as they always want something slower then G/60.
If you have a match with your son and have it rated you will have taken care of this issue. As the federation wants all the club members to renew at the end of the term. The idea of a established rating is a mine field that can only be taken care of one way or the other with you having a match.
Earnest,
Douglas M. Forsythe
12313120
I’ll say its a mine field!
OK, since I’m still a certified a Club TD (until the end of August), can I be the TD of note sending in the score sheet for this match? Or do I need another TD to step in? I suppose we have plenty of time to play 14 G/30s!
Then I can officially apply for Local TD, finally!
Thanx for all your help,
AJG