I've tried searching - is it true that there's no online rulebook for the USCF?  It looks like they force you to buy the book...

Also, I want to play in the Chicago Open  and am a bit confused - I see reference to FIDE - will their rules be used or USCF?  It's been awhile since I've played in tournaments, so I want to brush up on the rules.

Also, will round times be posted somewhere before the first day?

Thanks!

No online rulebook, true.

It's overwhelmingly likely that USCF rules will be used while FIDE ratings will be possible.

The tournament schedule will be posted.

Thanks for the help!

The main thing to remember is if there is a dispute or question, you must stop both clocks and find a TD to decide.  Once you keep moving, you lose your rights in almost all cases.

Disputes are not all that common, and the Chicago Open should be a well run tournament - CCA usually does a great job.  Don't worry about that so much, deal with it if it happens.

FIDE and USCF rules are very similar, although there are plenty of small differences.  If there is something specific you are concerned about, probably someone here has been in the situation themselves, or witnessed it.

But you will score many more points by learning Rook endings than by learning the rulebook.

From what I've seen here, the most important difference seems to be so called "insufficient losing chances" in USCF.

There's no such rule in FIDE.

http://www.gatewaychess.org/Insufficient%20Losing%20Chances.pdf

http://vcchess.net/learn/ClockRules.pdf

http://www.chesscafe.com/text/geurt43.pdf

http://www.chesscafe.com/text/time.txt

Thanks for the help and links.  I guess most of my worries surround how to set clocks (both mine and noticing opponents'), brushing up on touch rules (if I, without intent, accidentally hit a piece), and equipment (I believe I have the right to reject an opponents' non-standard set...). 

It's been awhile! 

Actually it will be a great help ,if you can !I wanted to know a rule

 If i touched a piece , then left it and then touched another piece and left it , my opponent appealed for touch & move rule and then i moved the piece which i first had touched , 

so can it be counted as one of the 3 mistakes in the games
THANX FOR REPLY IN ADVANCED !