USCF Rated Tournament Rules:

1. USCF Electronic Device Policy will be used for rated club tournaments. For details see here. 

2. US Chess rules apply. 

3. Notation: players are required to notate their moves during the game. This means you need to write down each move you and your opponent make on a scoresheet provided by the tournament organizers. Exceptions for this are when either you or your opponent have less then 5 minutes in your game.

4. Touch-Move Rule: If you touch one of your pieces with the intention of moving it, you must make a legal move with that piece if possible. If you touch one of your opponents pieces with the intention of capturing it, you must capture it if its legal to do so.

5. Pairings and Swiss System: Pairings are automated by computer based on players standings, rating, and additional factors such as previous round color. SwissSys is the pairing software used for our rated club tournaments. 

6. Time Control: Understand the time controls used for each tournament. Time controls dictate how much time each player has to make their moves. For example the time control G/25+5 means each player has 25 minutes to make all their moves, and 5 seconds will be added to their time per move.

7. Behavior and Etiquette: Maintain proper behavior and etiquette during the tournament. This includes following tournament rules, being respectful towards opponents, and refraining from distracting behaviors.

8. 100 Point Rule in effect: Players may only play up a section if their rating is within 100 points of the section limit. Example: A player rated 900 may play in the Open but not a player rated 899. 

9. For any remaining questions see uschess.