The NSCF Scholastic Chess section to choose.

Effective January 2012, the NSCF has reconfigured some of the sections in its tournaments in an attempt to even the competition for all individuals. Following is a description of our rated and unrated sections and who should play there.

Rated sections

Ths United States Chess Federation is the official governing body of chess in the nation. A national chess rating is issued to members of the USCF who participate in USCF rated tournament sections. For more information about the USCF, see the USCHESS website.

If you compete in a USCF rated section, you must be a current member of the USCF. A section can not be rated unless all players in the section have memberships.

If you have never been a member or your annual membership has lapsed or will lapse by the date of your NSCF tournament, you may join or renew by paying the appropriate fee to the NSCF. The age-related fees for Regular one-year memberships are listed on the NSCF mail-in flyers. You may include payment when you register for a tournament by mail. If you register online, the fee may be added to your charges.


To understand what the term "USCF rating" means when used below, see the NSCF Rating to Use page. Bear in mind that you may not play in a section if your official (monthly supplement) rating exceeds the ceiling rating for that section.

Future Masters section

The Future Masters section is for accomplished young chess players, grades 12 or under, who have achieved a USCF rating of 1400 or higher. This is a very competitive section. If you are rated below 1400 and want to play in this section, you must meet one of the criteria listed on the NSCF Moving Up page.

Championship section

The Championship section is for improving young chess players, grades 12 or under, who have achieved a USCF rating of 1000 up to 1399. If you are rated below 1000 and want to play in this section, you must meet one of the criteria listed on the NSCF Moving Up page.

Once your USCF rating goes above 1400, you must play in the Future Masters section.

Elementary/Reserve section

This USCF rated section is new in 2012. It combines the higher-rated portions of the old Elementary and Reserve sections, and is more competitive than either. It is primarily for students in grades 4 and up who have achieved a USCF rating of 600 up to 999. Most of the players in this section will be improving students in grades 4-6, but older and younger players who are in the 600-999 ratings bracket may also compete here.

Once your USCF rating goes above 1000, you must play in the Championship section. Also see the Moving Up page.

Booster section

This USCF rated section is new in 2012. It combines the unrated and lower-rated portions of the old Elementary and Reserve sections. It is intended to provide more reasonable competition for students in grades 4 and up who are unrated or have USCF ratings under 600. Once you acquire a USCF rating above 599, you must play in the Elementary/Reserve section. See the Rating to Use page and the Moving Up page.

Primary section

The USCF rated Primary section is for players in grades 3 or younger who have or want to acquire a USCF rating. There is no ratings ceiling or floor for this section. It is open to all levels, rated or unrated, who are in this grade group.

Unrated sections

Young beginning or novice players are not required to play in USCF-rated sections. Instead they may choose to compete in one of our unrated sections.

2-3 Unrated section

The 2-3 Unrated section is for players in grades 3 or under who are not rated or have not achieved a USCF rating higher than 300. Players in this grade group with ratings above 300 should play in the USCF-rated Primary section.

Players who win two 2-3 Unrated section trophies (in two different tournaments) are no longer eligible for this section. For your next tournament, please join the USCF and play in the rated Primary section. For further explanation, see the 2-3 Unrated policy.

K-1 Unrated section

The K-1 Unrated section is for players from pre-K through first grade who not rated or have not achieved a USCF rating higher than 300.

K-1 players with ratings above 300, or those who continually win this section, should join the USCF and play in the USCF-rated Primary section, which is for grades 3 and under. It is the best way to further improve your chess play.