Been a long time so please have patience. I am sure I can but will ask can I record my moves using DN? Also do I write the move before or after I move the piece and press the clock, in other words is there any proper sequence? Yes I know there is a rule book but since it is due to be published and updated this August I will wait 4 weeks to get an eleven year newer book of rules. I hope the USCF will offer the book as a deep discount as they used to years ago.
I do not understand why the rules have to be marketed in a book anyway. It would be much more user friendly if there was a link on the USCF web site that just provided that information for anyone to access when needed. Publishing a book takes money, and not everyone wants to spend $20 (?) for just the rules of the game. I think if the USCF is going to have a dues sponsored web site available to dues paying members, then the Rules and Regulations should be a part of that web site.
Don
That decision was made several decades ago, long before the Internet existed, and we have a binding contract with the publisher of the rulebook.
As someone who still uses Descriptive Notation I can tell you that you almost always can use it. The exception would be in a FIDE event, especially in a foreign country. FIDE rules require the use of Algebraic Notation, although you could maybe still use DN at such an event. However, if the TD (or organizer) requires you to use AN you will not be allowed to use DN.
Larry S. Cohen
To answer the questions presented:
When playing under USCF rules, you may use descriptive notation if you wish. If the game is FIDE rated, the FIDE Laws of Chess (LOC) must be applied, and the LOC require algebraic notation.
The proper sequence for making and recording the move under both rule sets (with two exceptions) is: make the move, press the clock, record the move. The only exceptions are when you wish to play a move that would create a threefold repetition or fifty-move draw, and you wish to claim that draw. In these exceptional cases, the proper sequence is: record the move, DO NOT MAKE THE MOVE ON THE BOARD, stop both clocks, and state the claim. Under the USCF rules, if you make the move on the board and start the opponent’s clock, you have forfeited the right to make the claim on that move. Under the FIDE LOC, if you make the move on the board, you have forfeited the right to make the claim on that move, even if your clock is still running.
USCF rules (but not the FIDE LOC) permit a variation on the move-press-record sequence if and only if the player is using a paper scoresheet. The variation permits a player to write the move before making it on the board and pressing the clock, and provides that a TD “may” (read: can, but is not compelled to) penalize repeated erasures and replacements of pre-written moves as note taking. This particular variation is not required to be announced in advance, and, in my opinion, is blatant pandering to a community that has long taught a note-taking technique that is no longer legal under the LOC and arguably never was. But it’s there, and you should be prepared for it.
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This is misleading.
The latest/6th edition of the USCF rule book looks nothing like the first book published through the David McKay house. The decision made so very long ago did not bind those who very recently had the decision to make.
In is partly true to say that this problematic decision is reinvigorated every several years. Before the digital revolution of the past 15-20 years, the recurring renewals with McKay made sense because back then the USCF powers that be had no real alternative.
That is no longer an excuse. The book should be rewritten to legitimately circumvent the publishing rights that McKay refuses to give up (I assume McKay was asked). If not now, when?
Too hard to rewrite the book? The implication must therefore be that the USCF will forever and ever suffer the constraints imposed by McKay. Forever was under-weighted in the recent decision, in my opinion.
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No, it isn’t.
Yes, it did.
To let everyone know about the rule book, it looks as though the e book has been on sale since 6/10/2014 and the paperback book will be released on 8/5/2014. This is right from the publisher’s web site.
If a TD requires you to use algebraic notation, learn to write your moves in Cyrillic algebraic letters. Make sure you are writing in a flowing cursive style which obscures what you have written down. Nobody will bug you about using descriptive notation (DN) again.
In a USCF rules event, a TD will not object to descriptive notation if s/he applies the USCF rules.
In a FIDE rated event, not even the behavior you describe would deter me from insisting on algebraic notation.
Is a copy of this contract available for members to read?
The Kindle Edition which is already out is only 11.84.
Haven’t seen it. I don’t recall whether they’ve found a copy of the contract, and Random House is in little hurry to assist. Probably an “ongoing review” situation.
For the time being, it’s great that it’s available on Kindle now as well as print.
Book in print comes out 8/5/2014. Seems when you publish a book you come up with a strict release date and even if you have the books printed up 1 month in advance you have to wait for the “official” release date. You can advance order at Amazon for $15.19.
Well, it may not reach the preorder frenzy of, say, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, but one really can’t let any secrets out early. 
On a more serious side, I am disappointed that the printed book wasn’t released in time for the U.S. Open.
Requiring people to BUY the rule book is just one more level to the extortion that the USCF uses.
With every passing day it becomes more and more obvious how worthless the federation is and that it exists at this stage for itself and not the players.
Yes the USCF office has a copy of the contract. No it is not generally any more or less available for random members than any other contract is. Meaning, as an Illinois non-profit we are required under Illinois law to maintain the “books and records of account”. Members have certain legal rights to inspect the books and records - although exactly what makes those up is open to debate. So one can contact the office in Crossville and request access to the contract. Then the USCF would have to check with our Illinois attorney to see if there is 1) an obligation to produce the same and 2) an obligation NOT to produce the same. For example there may be contracts that deal with certain personnel matters that the USCF has other legal obligations which would restrict disclosure.
In this case there is nothing dramatic in the publishing contract and I doubt there is any reason for not disclosing it. But I’m not sure there is all that much gained from reading it either. It is a broad form publishing contract from several decades ago giving the publisher rights to pretty much all forms of the book.
If I recall correctly, the prior ED had the contract filed in his office rather than in a general contracts file. The staff found it when re-organizing that space during the transition. I think he knew exactly where that contract was. The interim ED took the contract, picked up the phone and called the publisher, and quickly set the wheels in motion for the new edition. I don’t think it took much convincing to get them to do the new edition.
Players don’t have to purchase the book. Many never do - just as many baseball, football or basketball players never look at a rule book. That is why you have TDs and other officials. But players who understand the rules well may have some advantage over those who do not.
I must have missed the memo that says we have to buy the rulebook. I’ve only been a member for 40 years without one. As to that last comment, even if Mr. DeCredico’s first assertion were correct, I’m not sure how rich USCF gets my Amazon selling a book not published by us. On the other hand, making it possible for all players to know the rules certainly benefits the players who choose to learn the rules.
Last fiscal year our total royalty income was around $15,000 - out of around a 3 million budget. And royalty income has a couple of other sources than just from the rule book. - but I can’t quote what those are off the top of my head.
who says you have to buy a rulebook?