What is the USCF’s policy for sending out invitations to the US Junior Closed and US Cadet? Both are scheduled for mid July. The potential players have to make their own summer plans, chess or otherwise. The longer the USCF waits, the more people will be unable to attend.
The April rating list has been available since the second week of March. Many players, parents and coaches have already compiled their own unofficial list of invitees and alternates, but seemingly the USCF has not. Considering how busy the month of April is for the USCF staff, I find it alarming that this work hasn’t already been done. It can’t take that long to compile and double check the top under-20 and top under-16 lists.
Sadly, the USCF doesn’t seem to learn from the mistakes of the past. Two years ago, US Junior had five players, one rated above 2300. The Cadet also had several disappointing turnouts in the past few years. Why? The invitations went out in May (or even June), when most people had made other plans. Complaints have seemingly fallen on deaf ears.
Michael Aigner