Hello, i was in a forum. and i wondered what they were talking about when they mentioned uscf. can someone explain what uscf rating is? (i think i put it wrong...ucsf maybe?) THANK YOU!

USFC= United States Chess Federation they have a different rating system then FIDE and the one issued by USFC is always a bit weaker than FIDE meaning:

2000 USFC may only be 1700 FIDE.

And FIDE is the world chess organization.

Actually, USCF is inflating due to artificial rating floors. People substantially weaker than 2200 get a lifetime rating (those that have earned this distinction) even if their realistic strength is now below 2000.  This skews all ratings up.

Currently, on recent ratings lists, most comparble USCF ratings still run slightly higher than their FIDE counterparts.

As example a good friend of mine, a Fide Master (FM) has USCF floored rating 2200 (so he can never go below this even if he loses every game he plays) and a current FIDE of 2060.

At one time, people could purchase their lifetime ratings with the USCF by purchasing lifetime memberships!  I believe this is only afforded to the people above a certain age now, or may have been scrapped altogether.

I didin't know this! why do they do that? (give floored ratings?) doesen't that encourage chess-lazyness??

I think floored ratings are ludicrous.  It screws up the whole system

Only if you want ratings to be statistically significant. 

If one wants a system designed to make more people feel better about themselves, and to feel better about their chances to win prize money in a class division in an upcomming tournament and thus encourage participation and increase numbers, than rating inflation through artificial floors that players cannot legitimately maintain through real otb play may be a system to choose. 

Actually the floors were original set up to prevent sand bagging. I believe a floor is 200 points below your highest rating. You (used to and probably still can) petition the USCF to have your floor altered due to age or health. What used to happen is people would lose lots of games (and rating points) in low cost events and then win the World Open and other high prize events so they put a floor in to stop this.

At the higher levels USCF is about 100 or so points higher than FIDE though below 2200 it seems that the two rating systems are pretty close.

I understand what the intent was, but their effect has been to artificially raise ratings.

Also, you are referenceing two types of floors, and I agree that there are two floors, as well as ratings assigned to players by the CCA (Goichberg) that stand as their new ratings for $$ events run by CCA - under the USCF Umbrella.  

There are both regular ratings floors (rating rounded to lowest hundred - 200) and lifetime floors.  Together they create a most artificial system, regardless of intent.

In addition, I argue the floors actually do not do anything to prevent "Sandbagging" and may actually encourage it.  To wit:

An improving player stops playing rated chess but keeps improving.  They play and get rating of 1550 in 2005 and study for three years and now have actual strength of 2050.  They enter 2009 World Open and win.  This is what happened in each of the past several events as witnessed by people going 9-0 in a section, for there is no other plausible mathematic solution to it happening repeatedly in the sections U/1800 and lower.  Tougher to do as we go higher up, of course.

This is legal.  Also, this makes sense to do.  Some would call it "sandbagging." 

I call it being wise.

Many people think it is not cool.  And they are free to do so as it is really a matter of perspective.

In addition, one can still use the 200 point window to drop a whole class, sit out one year, and compete for full $$$ prizes.  Why anyone would not do this is beyond me since they are paying for the "priviledge" the entire way anyway.

In addition, I argue the floors actually do not do anything to prevent "Sandbagging" and may actually encourage it.  To wit:

An improving player stops playing rated chess but keeps improving.  They play and get rating of 1550 in 2005 and study for three years and now have actual strength of 2050.  They enter 2009 World Open and win.  This is what happened in each of the past several events as witnessed by people going 9-0 in a section, for there is no other plausible mathematic solution to it happening repeatedly in the sections U/1800 and lower.  Tougher to do as we go higher up, of course.

This is not sandbagging at all! Sandbagging is losing games on purpose to lower your rating. This is called chess improvement.

Also the  USCF has much lower ratings--when I started playing there was no such rating under 1000. Finally the time lag of playing in a tournament and getting it rated is much faster now so people's ratings are more current. it used to be 4-6 month lag time which also encouraged people to win multiple tournaments in the same section.

dont you have to have played 200+ games at a rating above the 2200 to have the floor set at 2200? Talking USCF I know the CCA has a money floor. If you win or cash in an event for over 2k you cant play in that rating cat agian, you have to play above. If I remember right.

Does the USCF let your rating drop below the floor after so many years? Seems like it would blow to have once been a great player and have your floor sat at 2200. But now you are 75 years old and your real rating is 1920 but you have to play at 2200 plus. Think I would give up chess at that point.

To receive a life master title in the USCF with a rating floor of 2200, you must play 300 games with a rating of 2200+. A parallel to the life master title is the title of life master for a bridge player. The idea was to reward a player for achieving a master level of play for a long period of games or years. At the time when rating floors were considered, it was quite a dilemma. On one hand, how can the USCF recognize players for achievement and at the same time keep the rating pool honest.

A player at any time can reduce their floor by asking the USCF.

 It also happens to be "United States Cycling Federation", the governing body of road racing in the USA.

http://www.adventuresportsonline.com/images/logo-uscf.gif

Floors are important to keep older players playing (and not quitting to save ratings)

Plus, getting a decent floor is no easy task.

I agree about the sandbagging!  Look at national events with class prizes!  I bet the winners of the "unrated" , though new to the USCF etc.  are far from beginners.  Same with 1200 or 1400 and under.  They may have been legitimate "beginners" earlier, but there are sure to be sandbaggers when there is money involved.  When having a low rating is an advantage, some will lower their rating by "losing" some game before the event or -- as suggested earlier--not play rated events for years so their rating does not reflect their real strength.  Someone could be a postal master but unrated OTB!! 

so, how can u acquire this rating?

If you play in a USCF-rated chess tournament in the US, you will acquire a USCF rating. You will also be required to join the USCF in order to play in such a tournament, though you can usually do this when you register.

USCF means U See Chess Far away, no jokes, everyone is confused here.

When you are an USCF player you can beat anyone, even a Fide player, as long a you are an UFCS member.

Never forget!

itsben333

Check the USCF website (uschess.org) under clubs and/or tournaments, you may be able to find a club near you.