Options for OTB Clubs Moving Online

Does this group offer resources for hosting local USCF affiliate events online? Could it?

Can the administrators of this group offer advice and or training to certified TDs who are trying to keep local events going during the pandemic?

Good and useful question.

I ran the pairings for an online scholastic tournament last Saturday, am doing so again on March 28, and have been asked to run the April quads for my local chess club if there is sufficient interest.

To my knowledge, there is no official mechanism for regular TDs or Affiliates to host US Chess rated events online. I know there is no way to submit Online Rated events through the TD/Affiliate area.

I know the rules allows for online play under OTB ratings if a certified TD is available to view each player's screens.

US Chess Staff are the only ones that can answer beyond that, to see if there are any other options. Due to the way the events are handled for this club, there is no way for others to utilize the club for other events.

It would be too much of a hassle for all of these TDS to manage all of this

Another site allows OTB clubs to set up private events such as matches and tournaments by using a password that is shared by members (for example by email or social media). This site could take advantage of the same technology to make events for OTB clubs similar.

Why cannot we, as local TD's, just be able to report SEPARATE on-line results which simply do not affect OTB ratings as is the case now with on line tournaments on this site.? chess.com.

There is no way that on-line games can be mixed with OTB ratings without dilution since no TD will be able to monitor screens of all contestants not to mention that if it were possible , it would defeat goal of social distancing.

I think the US Chess board would have to approve something like that and they would have to add the option to the tournament submission options.

If they allowed something like that, it would be easy to set up a private club here where a local TD could just approve their members and hold events. They would need to submit the crosstables manually, but it would theoretically be feasible.

I think the site is trying to work with US Chess to make it possible, but I have no idea how likely it is or what that may look like. I'm sure if something definitive comes out we'll be able to post something.

I agree with you on that Martin_Stahl.

Just posted: https://new.uschess.org/news/chess-boards-will-set/

The pertinent part:

The US Chess Executive Board (EB) has been very active during this time. It has canceled its in-person meeting in Dallas, Texas and will be holding a series of virtual meetings during the month of May. It is also looking for ways to help you keep playing chess via US Chess online-rated events. The EB will be offering interim rules this week on how US Chess Certified Tournament Directors can run official US Chess online-rated events.

It will be a miracle if the USCF acts promptly and appropriately on this matter. Thanks for posting a hopeful indicator @Martin_Stahl

Haven't fully read it yet, but that was quick:

https://new.uschess.org/news/online-rated-us-chess-events/

So, it looks like the biggest obstacle will be verifying members are who they say they are but for local clubs, with known members, that shouldn't be too hard in general.

I hope they use video conferencing tools the way Titled Tuesday does. Skype, FaceTime and others are excellent for such purposes.

It is only online rated events like what is done here, in this club, as of now. No OTB rated types of events can be done online according to what was posted.

Has this changed due to the recent updates from USCF? As I understood it any TD should now be able to hold rated events on chess.com. Is that true? 

The link in post 12 explains it and some additional information from the site:

https://www.chess.com/article/view/us-chess-online

Of course, it is only Online Quick and Online Blitz and just like any rated event a sponsoring Affiliate is required.

Ok. Thanks!