Other than the right to obtain an official rating, what are the benefits of joining the USCF? I'm contemplating if I should sign up but I'm not sure if it's worth $34.00. Do you need to be a member if you want to play in "real" tournaments?

Thanks!

You also get access to the magazine on their website.

Thanks for the quick responses; I think I'll give it a try.

I'd recommend joining FIDE, since the US is a long drive from germany

You "join" your own Federation where you live.  Some tournaments will also qualify for FIDE ratings, but most will earn only national ratings.

 People can't join FIDE, only nations.

If you're in Germany, join the German Chess Federation. USCF organizes tournaments in Us only.

If you intend to play in rated tournaments in the USA, you might as well join USCF.  If you are located in any other country, there are no USCF tournaments I'm aware of held in other countries, so there would be little benefit to joining USCF for those living overseas.

    HOWEVER:  if you live in Germany, and want to play for the big money in the World Open or New York Open (held in the USA)  then yes, you would need to join USCF and somehow get in the minimum number of USCF rated games in order to not be a 'provisional' player.  The minimum number of provisional games used to be a player's first 20 USCF rated games, but it might have been raised to 25, I'm not sure offhand.    Of course, if you have an established FIDE Rating, I believe they accept proof of that (they look on the latest FIDE listing) to validate qualifying to compete for the big money, $10,000 or $15,000 in the top sections.

    Any player who has no established FIDE rating, or has not completed the required number of provisional USCF rated games, can not compete for the big money.

Hope that helps you understand better...

    Regards,

Occasionally there are USCF tournaments in other countries.  They tend to be run by American living in those countries for other Americans.

The OP's location indicates Redlands and Germany. Redlands is in southern California.

I've been a member of the USCF for fifteen years. Prior to the existence of Wholesale Chess and ChessHouse, the USCF offered a good selection of chess books, equipment, software with modest discounts. Now they seem overpriced. Chess Life, the magazine, usually has at least one article worth reading. The principal benefit of membership is that the USCF rates tournaments. According to my "Member Details," I have played in 102 such events over the past fifteen years.

It should be noted that the $34 membership level, the Regular Adult membership, only includes the online version of the magazine. It is a good way to save a little money if you don't feel like having or don't need that paper copy.

Good point, CarlMI

If there are USCF tournaments in your area that you want to play in, then it's worth joining. Otherwise, the magazine isn't worth that much.

I became a life member back when it only cost $400.  Now I think it is $1,200.  Of course I was single and childless at the time which helped even more.

I pay for premium membership here in chess.com. That is the only memberhsip I need.

I dont play in enough OTB chess to make a US chess membership worth it.(Although I am currently a member this year). I dont do tourneys and live too far from anything to make it worth it. I also don't care about ratings, so...I am seriously debating renewing my USCF membership next year.

I'm from Michigan. There are no jobs there so I moved to Virginia.  The only place guaranteed to have money (and jobs) is the Federal Government.  An advantage of being able to take what you want and print what you don't have.