Today’s The Chess Doctor Is In question is a common question for players in the U.S. who have the opportunity to play in a FIDE rated tournament for the first time:
Since I began playing chess competitively, I have been playing in USCF rated tournaments with USCF rules. Recently I have started playing in some bigger tournaments and some sections on the tournament flyer are listed as “FIDE rated.” What is “FIDE” and what are the most important differences in rules compared to the USCF?
That’s indeed a very good query. To answer your first question, FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) is essentially the worldwide chess federation and governing body. The USCF (United States Chess Federation) is technically a member of FIDE, and as such is the organization which is responsible for holding (and rating) tournaments in the U.S. The USCF website sums up the relationship between USCF and FIDE very concisely:
“USCF represents the United States in FIDE, and also represents individual players for services such as title applications and ratings.”
Not only that, FIDE also hosts all of the biggest tournaments worldwide, e.g. the World Chess Candidates and subsequently the World Chess Championship. Therefore, it could be considered that FIDE has greater global influence than the USCF.
Having said that we come to your second question. What rules are different between the two? Having played in quite a few FIDE rated tournaments, several instantly come to my mind:
1. In USCF tournaments, when promoting a pawn, if no queen is on hand an upside down rook is acceptable. In FIDE tournaments, an upside down rook is a rook.
2. In USCF tournaments, if a player runs out of time his opponent has to claim the win, otherwise the game continues. In FIDE tournaments if the arbiter observes it he has to call any flag fall.
3. In USCF tournaments if a player makes an illegal move his opponent will simply get two minutes added to their clock. You can make as many illegal moves as you want. But in FIDE tournaments it is different. The first illegal move your opponent gets two minutes added to their clock, but a second illegal move results in losing the game!
4. There is an interesting question as to whether, when executing a move, you are allowed to write down the move on your scoresheet before executing the move or if you have to make the move first. Under USCF rules there is a rule variation that allows players to write the move down and then make the move (though this variation may not be in use at every tournament). In FIDE tournaments, however, you MUST make the move and then write it down.
5. In USCF tournaments players are encouraged to castle by touching the king first and then the rook. Nevertheless, you are technically allowed to touch the rook first and then the king. However, in FIDE tournaments if you touch the rook and then the king not only will this be treated as an illegal move, but you will also have to move the rook and forfeit castling rights.
6. If both contestants arrive late under USCF rules the time is split evenly. However, if the same situation occurred in a FIDE tournament then all of the time comes off of white’s clock.
These are a few of the most important rules that come to mind and hopefully address some of the most common differences you’ll encounter when you make the leap to playing FIDE rated tournaments. If you have the chance to play one near you, don’t pass it up … establishing a FIDE rating is great step in expanding your chess horizons and facing opponents from around the world. Thanks as always and keep the questions coming!
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