I entered the Newby's Galore tournament a few months after I joined Chess.com as I was just starting to do a bit of reading on the net and other learning to improve my game. I entered when my rating was 1197 (within the tournament range of >1200).

During the tournament my game was improving quite a lot as I got fairly involved in playing games (both on Chess.com and elsewhere) and I did fairly well but I never really felt that I totally outclassed any of the players and I had several games that I thought were good games.

But today I login and find the tournament finished and I have been removed without explaination.

My question is this. If the tournament has a particular rating range (eg 1000-1200) and your rating changes outside this range during the tournament does that mean you don't qualify to win (or place) in the tournament any more ?

I ask because this would be the situation two other tournaments I have entered after this one and I really would prefer to know if I am going to be removed for my rating so I can concentrate my efforts on tournaments I know I can still win.

Can anyone clear this up for me ?

There is no automatic removal of players with high ratings. The Tournament director (TD) can remove players but this is not common thing to do when the tournament has started already. Contact the TD.

Yes, if your rating goes above the rating level of the tournament you will still remain in the tournament so there is no need to worry.

 it seems the tournament is over, he won in the sense he got more points than anyone else but the TD removed him and so first place went to the person with the second highest number of points..

That is correct. It's not really a big issue. Since posting I have asked the tournament organiser why I was removed. My real concern was that I may be in the same position in two other tournaments and if I get removed automagically then I'd consider withdrawing. On the other hand I am still enjoying the games so it's not really that big a deal.

We'll see if the tournament organiser responds.

/shrug Such is life :)