X-Nico

10 unusual facts about United States Chess Federation


Bob Ciaffone

He was the president of the Michigan Chess Association in 2003 and is the author of four books on poker and two books on chess, and has been awarded the Life Master title by the United States Chess Federation.

Charles Covington

The music director for "Jazz at Harbor Place" in Baltimore, Mr. Covington is also one of the top ten black chess players in America and has a "Life Master" status granted by the United States Chess Federation.

Hanon Russell

Hanon Russell has been involved for many years with the United States Chess Federation.

Hermann Helms

Helms was formally recognized in 1943 by the United States Chess Federation as the 'Dean of American Chess', and held this designation until his death at age 93 in 1963.

Logistic distribution

Both the United States Chess Federation and FIDE have switched their formulas for calculating chess ratings from the normal distribution to the logistic distribution; see Elo rating system.

Michael Belcher

Michael Wayne Belcher II (born November 10, 1972) is a local tournament director of the United States Chess Federation and Chief/Deputy Arbiter of FIDE (World Chess Federation).

Paul Truong

He is Chairperson of the USCF Polgar Committee, which oversees the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls.

As a chess player, he holds the USCF title of National Master and Life Master, and the FIDE title of FIDE Master.

Rochelle Ballantyne

According to the USCF's rating system, she is currently an "Expert" or "Candidate Master."

Tim Redman

Tim Redman was president of the United States Chess Federation (USCF) for two terms, 1981–1984 and 2000–2001, the only president to date who has served twice.


Andrew Soltis

His column Chess to Enjoy is one of the longest running in Chess Life, the monthly publication of the United States Chess Federation.

Arpad Elo

The original chess rating system was developed in 1950 by Kenneth Harkness, the Business Manager of the United States Chess Federation.

Don Schultz

Don Schultz (born 13 May 1936 in Woodhaven, Queens, New York) is a former president and a former vice-president of the United States Chess Federation (USCF).

John L. Watson

His 1999 book Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy won the British Chess Federation's Book of the year award as well as the United States Chess Federation Book of the Year.

Samuel Sevian

His first success came when he became the youngest Expert in USCF history, an achievement that was featured in an article in the Los Angeles Times by International Master John Peters.