I’m excited to announce that the McMinnville Chess Club has officially adopted the US Center for SafeSport Code for our club meetings and tournaments where we host official US Chess events. This is an important step for our club, and I’d like to share why we believe this is valuable to our members and to the larger chess community.
The US Center for SafeSport is an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing, responding to, and resolving claims of misconduct — including harassment, bullying, and hazing. Founded in 2017 to improve the safety of athletes participating in all the Olympic and Paralympic sports, the US Center for SafeSport has also made its training, education, and investigative resources available to other organizations, including US Chess, who partnered with the US Center for SafeSport in 2023.
While undergoing the US Center for SafeSport core training, I was surprised to discover that bullying and harassment is not always so easy to identify, and I learned a few things. It goes to show that the schools and programs I grew up with had more problems than I was aware of, and things that I thought were normal during my upbringing absolutely should not have been. Promising athletes left the sport, there was a lack of accountability from coaches and school administrators, and everyone was worse off, including students like me who assumed it was all just normal — but especially the youth athletes who weren’t given the support they needed and deserved.
We believe this decision to adopt the SafeSport Code is an important and valuable step for our chess club. McMinnville Chess Club has always had a zero tolerance for abuse and misconduct, and by adopting the SafeSport Code, we’re making a strong commitment to providing a safe, healthy, and positive environment for all of our participants, whether they’re children, teens, or adults.
Good for the club
Adopting the SafeSport Code adds a solid framework to our club’s existing policies and procedures, which already includes our Principles of Club Etiquette and the US Chess Safe Play Policy, giving us a proactive approach to any incidents should they arise, and it demonstrates our dedication to the safety and wellbeing of our members. This sends a clear message to our community that we take these issues seriously and are constantly working to maintain a safe and supportive environment.
Good for youth players
For parents and families of young chess players, the SafeSport Code provides an extra layer of assurance that their children will be protected from harm. Identifying bullying and harassment is not always simple, and US Chess and the US Center for SafeSport mandates core training for our certified Tournament Directors and outlines clear reporting and investigation procedures. This helps create a culture of safety and accountability that’s essential for our mission to support positive youth development.
Good for adult players
While the SafeSport Code is often associated with Olympic and Paralympic sports, its principles and policies are equally important for everyone outside of the Olympic and Paralympic movement, including adult participants. We’re making it clear that all members of our chess community — regardless of age — deserve to feel safe, respected, and free from any form of misconduct. This supports a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.
Good for chess everywhere
Widespread adoption of the SafeSport Code across the larger chess community can have a positive ripple effect that extends beyond our own club and members. It helps set a new standard that other clubs and organizations can follow, which can lead to increased participation and a stronger, healthier chess community overall.
We are proud to be taking this important step, and we encourage other chess clubs and organizations to follow suit. If you’re a chess club organizer or tournament director and want to get started with the US Center for SafeSport core training, you can use coupon code FSChessDisSST1972723 to get a discount. If you’re not a US Chess member, use 14909176112 as your member ID.
Together, we can work to ensure that chess remains a fun and safe activity for our community and chess players of all ages and backgrounds.
Resources
- US Center for SafeSport:
- US Chess:
- McMinnville Chess Club: