Are there any downsides to obtaining a USCF rating?
No. In fact, not having a USCF rating can put a player at a disadvantage at National USCF tournaments, as that player may only play in either a “championship” section (which has the highest rated players) or in the unrated section. At Nationals, a USCF rating allows a player to play in sections with players at his or her own level, with the option of “playing up” if that is chosen. While a USCF rating will preclude a student from playing in the unrated section at a USCF-rated chess tournament, we don’t view this is as significant. In our experience, there is a huge range in the level of play in the unrated section at National tournaments, and this section generally is not the best section for most students to play in. USM’s chess program encourages all of its members, including beginners, to play in USCF-rated tournaments and to obtain a USCF rating.
