On January 1, 2012 the USCF is once again increasing the membership dues.  I suppose you can now add this to the things you can count on:  death, taxes and the USCF increasing dues.

I'm seriously considering not renewing my membership because I'm sick and tired of seeing these increases year after year.  In fact, the dues have more than doubled since I first became a member back in the mid-80's.

For years I've listened to incoming USCF presidents (or whatever title they go by) complain about the mismanagement/corruption of his or her predecessors or complain about the USCF in general.  They served their term and the next person took over with big promises and nothing seemed to change.  I kept hearing complaints about the USCF being broke and how they would fix things.  It seems to me to either be a case of gross mismanagement or corruption.

To add insult to injury the USCF has continued to raise its membership rates on an almost yearly basis rather than fix their problem.  Not only do you have to play a high yearly membership fee, the USCF also charges your affiliate a yearly fee and it even costs to have your games rated.  In my opinion, if you're a member then your games should be rated for free.  Even playing in a big tournament in my home city of Las Vegas isn't cheap.  I suppose the fee averages around $300.00 dollars just to play in six games in a major tournament.

The USCF wonders why chess isn't growing in America.  Now I know a major reason why.  The biggest reason is the USCF.

What do you think?

The fees (as of Jan 1, 2012) are shown below: