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| I stopped organizing tournaments in 2003. I didn't renew my membership
after they raised adult dues to the exhorbitant rate of $49.00/year.
The most enjoyable experience I've had since 2003 was playing in an
unrated event and tying for 1st place with my son.
This event which I directed drew over 25 players in a town of 5,000
people. Contrast that with any USCF adult rated event here in Nebraska
since dues went to $49.00/year and it is clear that in areas like this
nearly $50.00/year is untenable. Organizers no longer can afford sites
that aren't free and attendance still is horrific.
Plus the rating system was tinkered with and made worse in my opinion
too, so now it is tougher to gain back lost points as the k-factor was
reduced for higher rated players.
Just in general, high dues, lack of players participating, lousy
conduct by players who caused us to lose free sites, a lack of clear
direction or purpose on the part of USCF, screwed up TLA announcements,
and a continued indication that the USCF wished to offer children low
cost dues and adults could continue to pay more are the main factors
that I believe killed off regular chess.
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