Registration
Complete guide to player registration, database management, and roster administration in SwissSys.
Getting Started with Registration
Set Up Your Database
Before registering players, configure your player database using the Database Wizard. SwissSys supports USCF, CFC, and FIDE databases, as well as custom formats.
Register Players
Go to Players > Register players to open the registration dialog. Find players by searching your configured database or online, or enter data manually.
Verify Ratings and Membership
Confirm that ratings, membership expiration dates, and federation IDs are correct before the tournament begins.
Organize Team Assignments (if applicable)
For team tournaments, assign board order and manage substitute players using the Board Order dialog.
Player Registration
How to Add Players
| Method | Best For |
|---|---|
| Database search | Fastest — enter name or ID, import from local database |
| Online search | Real-time lookup from USCF or FIDE website |
| Manual entry | Players without a rating or ID |
| Network mode | Multiple computers registering simultaneously |
Registration Options
Configure Enter key behavior, name formatting, expired membership warnings, and provisional rating handling in the Registration Options menu inside the registration dialog.
Database Management
Supported Databases
| Database | Notes |
|---|---|
| USCF | ~450,000 US Chess players; also includes FIDE data |
| CFC | Chess Federation of Canada; also includes FIDE data |
| FIDE | Official FIDE list; use when FIDE compliance is required |
| Custom | Club lists, Excel, CSV, dBase, or Access files |
Use the Database Wizard for first-time setup and updates. See Database Overview for how primary and secondary databases work.
Rating Lookups
SwissSys offers two methods to look up player ratings:
- Local database — Pre-downloaded file; fast and works offline
- Online search — Real-time lookup from USCF or FIDE; no download required
See Online Player Search for when each method is appropriate.
Team Tournaments
For team-based events, use the Board Order and Active Team Members dialog to:
- Override the default rating-based board order
- Check substitute players in and out