Guidance for Unrated Players

Let's look at some scenarios should we not have enough registrations for the Grades K-3 and Grades 4-6 Unrated Sections. I would place this number at 7 or less for each section. Here are some options that I would offer to the parents for their consideration.

1. We could combine the K-3 ad 4-6 unrated sections into one section. Individuals would be paired against each other but individuals would still be awarded trophies based on their grade level. All trophies would be awarded as advertised. So, everyone would win a trophy in this situation.

2. Offer students the opportunity to play in the rated sections. We would purchase their USCF membership for the student. If players are most concerned about not playing someone of a high rating, then we suggest they play in the K-6 U800 section. If players are most concerned about playing someone their age, then we suggest they play in the K-3 Open section. Looking at last year's entries, there were a few K-3 players rated over USCF 800.

3. Please note that there are two trophies for unrated players in the USCF Rated Sections. If you look at last years results for the K-3 Open and K-6 U800 sections, you will see that there were two unrated players in each section and all four players won trophies; one finished 8th overall.

4. Here is an approximation of USCF Chess Ratings. This is based on our experience as scholastic instructors and may not accurately represent your own child's ability.

   • Less than USCF 200: They player struggles with checkmating with a King and Queen versus a lone King. This person will win 1 or fewer games in a typical scholastic chess tournament

   • USCF 200-400: The player can checkmate with a King & Queen versus a lone King although they may occasionally stalemate their opponent in this situation. They will occasionally leave a piece unguarded, which is quickly captured by the opponent. This person will win 1 or 2 of 5 of their games in a state scholastic K-6 championship tournament.

   • USCF 400-600: The player does not fall for the 4-move checkmate (Scholar's mate); they can checkmate with a King & Queen versus a lone King. They may occasionally (1 time per game or less) leave a piece unguarded, which is quickly captured by the opponent. They play their first 4-6 opening moves in order of something they have learned. They understand chess concepts such as "fork" and "pin" and can solve most "mate in one" and a few "mate in two" chess puzzles. They can checkmate with a King and Queen versus King without stalemating their opponent. This person will win 2 or more out of 5 of their games in a state scholastic K-6 championship tournament.

   • USCF 600-800: The player has a general understanding of how to play their first several opening moves. They can apply chess concepts such as "fork" and "pin" to win opponents pieces. They do not leave pieces unguarded (e.g. they do not "drop" pieces). They can usually solve "checkmate in two" puzzles and occasionally solve "checkmate in three" puzzles. This person will win half or more of their games in a state championship scholastic tournament.

   • USCF 800 and above: The player has a standard system for the opening of the chess game. They can solve most "mate in two" and some "mate in three" puzzles. They can checkmate with a king & rook versus a lone king and two bishops versus a lone king. This person will win more than half of their games in a state scholastic K-6 championship tournament.