I just recently returned to USCF after an absence of 7 years. I started coaching/directing a local high school team here in PA and I am looking to get my kids more playing experience outside the league that we are in. The problem I am running into is that the tournaments are a bit of a travel for my lads and my area is not exactly the mecca of the chess world. And, the scholastic league we play in, while competitive for the kids, really isn’t fostering the kinda of strong players that help students improve. My player, the league’s players need to be exposed to experienced USCF members in OTB play.
So, instead of trying to lug my kids across the state to Philly or Pittsburgh, I was considering starting rated tournaments in my area. The problem is, there are no certified tournament directors in the area. So, I was looking into becoming one. Who do I contact and what do I have to do?
Larry Pond at the USCF office takes care of TD Certification. On the USCF main page the “resources” button leads to “forms,” including the application to become a Club certified TD: main.uschess.org/component/optio … temid,412/
You will find a lot of useful forms and publications on the “forms” page. Just point-click-download-print out the form to become a TD and get it to Larry.
Bryan, you’re not that far from Baltimore, where there are lots of events and TDs.
USCF tournament records also show events having been held since June of 2007 in Sykesville MD (event ID 200712080101), Lemoyne PA (Event ID 200711308261), Owings Mills MD (200802024321) and several in Towson MD (200801066221).
Go to msa.uschess.org to look at those events, the affiliates and TDs will be listed.
Tim’s suggestion of becoming a certified club TD yourself is an excellent one. If you don’t already have a USCF affiliate, you will need one to hold rated USCF events.