Ratings Tab - Environment Options
This tab controls what ratings are loaded with online or database searches and how ratings are calculated for tournament play.
You can also access the ratings search settings in:
- Registration: Click the Rating options button in the registration toolbar
- Update Options: Shown automatically when using Database > Update players from database or Internet > Update players from USCF or FIDE site
Settings are shared across all locations — changes made in one place apply everywhere. The configuration interface consolidates all rating import preferences into a single panel. Settings are tournament-specific and control both online searches and database imports.
This dialog may auto-open on first use to ensure proper configuration before registration begins.
Configuration Display:
When you go and open the Registration panel, the search area will display read-only database status labels showing your current rating configuration. If the federation selected is N/A, the online label will be hidden (as N/A disables online search).
See Register - Players Menu for complete details on database status label format and behavior.
Federation Selection
Choose the rating federation for this tournament:
| Federation | Description | Use For |
|---|---|---|
| USCF | United States Chess Federation | US tournaments with full online search support |
| FIDE | International Chess Federation | FIDE-rated tournaments with simplified import options |
| N/A | Other federations | Tournaments not using USCF or FIDE ratings |
USCF Mode Options
When USCF is selected, the full set of options is available:
Online Search Settings:
- Rating Source: Published (monthly updates) or Live (tournament history with post-rerate)
- Supplement Date: Choose Latest to always use the most recent available USCF rating supplement, or Tournament date to use the supplement that was current as of the tournament’s starting date. “Tournament date” refers to the Starting Date set in the Tournament Setup dialog (Setup menu). Using the tournament date ensures player ratings reflect what was published before the event began, which is standard practice for USCF-rated events.
- Online event: Enable for internet-based tournaments to load online ratings
- Use highest rating: Automatically offer highest available rating during registration
Rating Import Settings:
- Rating Type: Regular, Quick/Action, or Blitz
- Missing rating strategy: Leave it as is, Use the alternate, Prompt for choice, or Special handling for online-quick
- Provisionally rated: Ignore all, Mark all with “p”, or Warn me
Special Handling for Online-Quick:
This strategy applies special rules for online quick events:
- Uses Online Quick rating as primary
- Falls back to OTB Regular rating if Online Quick is unavailable
- Only appropriate for online quick tournaments
FIDE Mode Options
When FIDE is selected, options are simplified to just the Rating Import Settings (FIDE does not support rating source or supplement date preferences). In FIDE mode, the ratings types are Standard, Rapid, or Blitz.
N/A Federation Behavior:
- Disables all online search functionality
- Hides “Online” database status label from registration search panel
- Useful for federations without online search support (CFC, ECF, etc.)
Post-Event Ratings
Note: Post-event rating calculation settings have been moved to the Registration & Editing tab.
See the Registration & Editing tab for:
- Formula for post-event ratings
- Scholastic rating setup
Related Topics
- Online Player Search - Using online search during registration
- Register - Players Menu - Registration dialog overview
- Files & Databases - Database configuration