USCF

Do you think the USCF does a good job of recruiting, training and keeping top ranked  players?

I don't see the USCF's job as any of those things. Just my view.

There is very little that the USCF does well.

Is it worth joining if you're just a casual player?

I thought that would be part of their mission. Similar to how the United States Olympic Committee recruits and trains our athletes for the olympics. How do you view the USCF?

 If there are USCF tournaments near you and you want to try some serious, rated chess, then it's probably a good idea.

There is no substitute for over the board tournament chess. Join USCF.

/life member

Is it worth joining if you're just a casual player?

Casual, <1500, then no.  If you want to get serious, play tournaments, and be rated, pushing for 1800+ then yes.

I don't see the USCF's job as any of those things. Just my view.  Then what is their job?  There is very little that the USCF does well.  And there's the rub.  Which isn't too say that there aren't good dedicated people, or that they don't do some good things.  They have, however, suffered from politics.  A lot of money and opportunities wasted over many years.  If it weren't for providing official US ratings and some scholastic efforts the organzization would lose all support and collapse.

You answered your own question.  If you just want to play casually, then it isn't worth joining.  If you wanted to play some blood-thirsty OTB tournament games, then you should join.

The USCF has certainly had its unfair share of misfortunate abuses by those within the management of the organization.  It's a wonder that it survives.  I wish that it could be revived and that chess would become more popular.  Alas, there are not Nike or Gatorade contracts in professional chess.

Maybe we can get some Chess pork in on of those bills rolling out of Washington....Chess bailout, call your congressman

I'm a member as I like to support Chess, but I tend to agree that over the years politics has hurt the organization.  I get very little out of my membership as I live not only a low population area, but an area where chess doesn't have much popularity I don't have any tournements within a 150 miles and less than 3 tournements a year with 300 miles of my home.  Thank goodness for Chess.com

(Sigh...) No.  It's a pretty disfunctional organization.

Having said that, I've been a member for over 30 years and can't imagine ever NOT being a member.  If you love chess and live in the US, it's the only game in town.

I was just thinking a real tournament once in a while to get away from the computer. I just assume it's not completely dog eat dog and the USCF really does seem like the only one hosting a tournament.

biting my tongue...

I would say yes. I love the USCF, even though I'm just barely "serious" (according to D_Blackwell) and only play in 1 tournament a year, the same one each year, I consider it completely worth it. You get a rating, which is fun to throw around, plus you get ChessLife every month, which I like as well. Of course it's your decision, but I'm happy with my decision to be a member.

If the USCF was to simply disappear into oblivion, it would be no great loss to US chess!!!!!!!!!!!!

If the USCF disappeared we'd lose our beloved ratings! Apart from that, I'm sure there'd be a multitude of ad hoc organizers emerging and we'd have a variety of little tournaments here and there. During WW2 the Soviet masters stuck in Moscow would gather and compete this way now and again. Under better circumstances these could be pleasant little competitions, and most players would be on their good behaviour I bet.

I am a member of USCF and have no probs with it. How many people who posted are or were actual members of USCF?

If you are a casual gamer dont join. If you are serious about the game, then you at some point are going to want to take on the best.

I am a member of a local club who is affiliated with the USCF. I am a member of the state club, also affiliated with USCF. We are doing our darndest to spread chess locally and on the local, state, and scholastic level.

I remember reading that USCF's' membership had its highest membership level ever at 95000 ppl two years ago. Not sure what the numbers are now, but that is well past Bobbi Fisher's prime.

So a challenge to all who dissapprove, get off your collected arses and do something about it.

Kudos to Eric for doing the best thing for chess. getting the word out. Hes done his part now lets do ours.

Point taken. Every Org has its flaws and could probably do better. But until the chessplayers come out of hiding to support the chess community in the USA then the USCF will be hard pressed to make strides in the community. Its a numbers game. The USCF lacks what the majority of National Sports have and thats financial backing. If my math is correct, (.000001% would bring the tally to about 9 billion chess players), if they came out of hiding then the media and advertising would take notice. The time controls dont really bother me, sitting down for 5 hours playing a game is usually enough time for me.

I am a member, and also am a club level tournament director.

I'm also active in scholastic chess. In my state, scholastic events are rated through a regional system that do not require USCF membership. Adult/open events, of course, are USCF rated and require membership. I enjoy tournaments and enjoy Chess Life (even though I get most of my chess information elsewhere). The cost of membership exceeds the benefits, and much of the revenue appears to be misappropriated.

The USCF is mired in the worst sort of politics--intensely personal bickering because there is so little at stake.