New Rulebook

[jwiewel]

@eastside

@tmagchesspgh

Oh, how did we ever run tournaments without certified, exam approved tournament directors?

There was a time when drivers’ licenses weren’t required before hitting the open road, either.

In all seriousness, though, I don’t think it’s too much to ask a Club TD to be able to pass an open-book test with 70%.
If a director can’t answer 7 out of 10 elementary rules questions correctly even with the rulebook on hand for reference, I’ll politely decline to participate in any tournaments run by said director.

Currently a CTD can go three years without taking a test. Testing is required to renew the CTD (for the first time) or to move up levels. If you get 70-79% (or 80% and higher if you don’t qualify for LTD) then you renew your CTD the first time and subsequent renewals merely need you to remain reasonably active as a CTD and remain a USCF member. If you get 80% or more, have an established rating, and have done the required events (one Swiss as chief, one as chief or chief assistant, one or more in any other capacity, with a total of at least 50 players) then you don’t merely renew as CTD but move up to Local TD (retaining your LTD status merely means remaining reasonably active as a TD and remaining a USCF member).

[ericmark]

@wilecoyote

@CoachBob

We have 3 former Club TDs who are strong players and only one current Local TD who is getting old at 81 and has medical problems. Those 3 are who we hope will renew or move up from Club to Local or become reinstated as Club. We try to have one rated event a month because players like to see their Blitz and Quick rating and hopefully our non USCF members may join USCF so they can get a rating. I think the expired Club TDs would renew if the exam were online or the specific sections to be tested on were identified. We feel our events whether rated or not rated are conducted in accordance with USCF rules.

While I do agree that much in the rulebook does not apply to the “basic” small club event (rules for correspondence chess? how the rating system works?), I find it difficult to be sympathetic to this complaint.

So the exam is not online. Is it truly so onerous to complete the exam on paper and return the exam by United States Postal Service?

My Local TD exam, in 2009, was done entirely via email. I emailed the USCF office, requesting to renew, they replied I needed to re-test due to insufficient activity, I agreed, they emailed me the test, I opened my Rulebook and spent a few hours filling out the test, emailed it back to the office, and the next day they informed me I passed.

I agree that anyone who finds it too much trouble to do that ONCE does not have the mojo needed to direct even small club events—and I am almost always on the side of the local small club TD who feels that rules to govern the many sometimes make it tougher to govern the few, yet still stick to the book in true Javert style.

[CoachBob]

@ericmark

@wilecoyote

@CoachBob

We have 3 former Club TDs who are strong players and only one current Local TD who is getting old at 81 and has medical problems. Those 3 are who we hope will renew or move up from Club to Local or become reinstated as Club. We try to have one rated event a month because players like to see their Blitz and Quick rating and hopefully our non USCF members may join USCF so they can get a rating. I think the expired Club TDs would renew if the exam were online or the specific sections to be tested on were identified. We feel our events whether rated or not rated are conducted in accordance with USCF rules.

While I do agree that much in the rulebook does not apply to the “basic” small club event (rules for correspondence chess? how the rating system works?), I find it difficult to be sympathetic to this complaint.

So the exam is not online. Is it truly so onerous to complete the exam on paper and return the exam by United States Postal Service?

It is available via email:

Hi Bob,

Yes, most of the TD tests these days are sent via email. Some TDs do not have email and we have to send the test by regular snail mail. You have 2 months to complete the test and it is open book. I can usually grade them the same day I receive them. Thank you for your inquiry. If you have any other questions, please feel free to email me or call me at the office between M-F 8am-5pm CST at 1-800-903-8723 x 127.
Jay Sabine
USCF TD Certification Assistant
Just check with Jay.

[CoachBob]

@wilecoyote

@CoachBob

We have 3 former Club TDs who are strong players and only one current Local TD who is getting old at 81 and has medical problems. Those 3 are who we hope will renew or move up from Club to Local or become reinstated as Club. We try to have one rated event a month because players like to see their Blitz and Quick rating and hopefully our non USCF members may join USCF so they can get a rating. I think the expired Club TDs would renew if the exam were online or the specific sections to be tested on were identified. We feel our events whether rated or not rated are conducted in accordance with USCF rules.

While I do agree that much in the rulebook does not apply to the “basic” small club event (rules for correspondence chess? how the rating system works?), I find it difficult to be sympathetic to this complaint.

So the exam is not online. Is it truly so onerous to complete the exam on paper and return the exam by United States Postal Service?/quote]

I agree now that I know the exam can be and taken via email:

It is still available via email. Here is the person to contact:
jsabine@uschess.org

Hi Bob,
Yes, most of the TD tests these days are sent via email. Some TDs do not have email and we have to send the test by regular snail mail. You have 2 months to complete the test and it is open book. I can usually grade them the same day I receive them. Thank you for your inquiry. If you have any other questions, please feel free to email me or call me at the office between M-F 8am-5pm CST at 1-800-903-8723 x 127.

Jay Sabine
USCF TD Certification Assistant