08.15.23 US Chess has entered into partnership with the U.S. Center for SafeSport, a Congressionally chartered organization that is dedicated exclusively to ending sexual, physical, and emotional abuse on behalf of athletes everywhere. It was established in 2017 to help abuse prevention, education, and accountability take root in every sport covered by the U.S. Olympic movement. The U.S. Center for SafeSport makes its training and education resources available to other organizations outside of the Olympic movement.

Beginning October 1, 2023, US Chess will require all US Chess certified Tournament Directors to complete the authorized core training from the U.S Center for SafeSport, with annual refresher training required thereafter. This policy applies to persons who already hold Tournament Director credentials and those who are seeking certification. According to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, "the core training offers a comprehensive 90-minute overview of facts, principles, and strategies to help you provide safe and positive sport environments.

Units include:

● Sexual Misconduct Awareness and Education

● Mandatory Reporting

● Physical and Emotional Misconduct (including bullying, hazing, and harassment)

Tournament Directors and candidate directors will complete the core training online. The required annual refresher training is shorter and also completed online. Both types of training require questions to be answered and scored before advancing to the next topic. By June 1, 2024, only Tournament Directors who have completed the required training will be able to direct US Chess rated tournaments. Any certified Tournament Director, contractor, vendor, or volunteer working a US Chess National Event beginning on or after October 1, 2023 is required to have their training completed one week before the event begins. This includes US Chess National events awarded to third parties. For National events run directly by US Chess, all Tournament Directors must complete the training before a contract will be offered.

For more information on SafeSport Training please visit the U.S. Center for Safesport

Why is US Chess requiring SafeSport training?

● US Chess adopted Safe Play Guidelines in 2019[1]. Training was always envisioned to be part of the program. Recent safe play violations have highlighted the ongoing need for education and awareness about providing a safe environment for all chess players.

Who is Required to Take the Training?

● All US Chess Certified Tournament Directors, regardless of level

● Any Independent Contractor working at a US Chess National Event

● All US Chess Employees

● Certified Chess Coaches

Are there age requirements associated with this training? If so, how does it affect certified TDs?

● To take the training a person must be at least 13 years old. Furthermore, parental consent is required from ages 13- through 17-years-old due to the explicit nature of the course.

● Effective Oct 1, 2023, US Chess will suspend Certified TDs who are under 13 years old until they reach the age of 13 and complete the required training. US Chess will no longer accept TD applications for persons who are not at least 13 years old.

When a US Chess National event is awarded to a third party, who must complete the training?

● The Organizer, their employees and/or contract staff, and all tournament directors

● Independent Contractors and volunteers working at the event for the Organizer

How Often Is the Training Required?

● Annually, beginning October 1, 2023

For alleged violations of the US Chess Safe Play Guidelines, to what organization do complainants report the allegations--US Chess or the Center for Safe Sport?

● US Chess will continue to receive complaints about violations of the Safe Play Guidelines and will apply its internal procedures to reviewing and imposing sanctions, if warranted. As an organization that is outside the formal Olympic movement, US Chess is not eligible for having the U.S. Center for SafeSport review, investigate, and sanction its members.

What is the Cost of the Training?

● $19 for the core course

● $9 annually thereafter, provided that your training is current when you take the refresher

Who Pays for the Training?

● The covered person pays for the training.

[1] US Chess adopted Safe Play Guidelines that are modeled after the SafeSport code. As a non-Olympic sport, US Chess is ineligible to access the full resources offered by the U.S. Center for Safesport. Therefore, all reporting, investigations, and sanctions will come from US Chess.