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 Code of Conduct, 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 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 Center for Safe Sport Code
  • Enroll in Core Training (PDF)
• US Chess:
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • How to report
  • SafeSport Training
  • Testimonials
  • US Chess Safe Play Hub and Resources
  • US Chess Safe Play Policy (PDF)
• McMinnville Chess Club:
  • Report a concern

The term “McMinnville Chess Club” or “we” or “us” refers to the owner of the website. The term “you” refers to the user or visitor of our website.

The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use:

• Use of this website is an acceptance by you of our copyright policy at https://macchess.org/copyright
• The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice.
• We may use any content that you post to this website, including but not excluded to surveys you submit and comments on articles and weblog entries, in our online and physical media, including our promotional and marketing materials.
• Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law.
• Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any products, services or information available through this website meet your specific requirements.
• From time to time this website may also include links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s). They do not signify that we endorse the website(s).
• Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of the State of Oregon.

Information we collect and store

In the course of our interactions with you, we may collect and store the following types of information

Information about your computer, operating system, network connection, and Mac Chess website usage

If you use the Mac Chess website, our web server may collect and store information such as your internet address (“IP address”), the type of web browser you are using and the operating system you are using (if your web browser makes this information available to us), the specific information on our website that you accessed, the date and time on which you accessed it, and information about any security credentials you may have used or attempted to use to access information on the Mac Chess website.

We collect this information to facilitate the operation of our online services, and to investigate and prosecute fraudulent or illegal use of our services and website.

We never share this information with third-parties unless it is necessary in the course of an investigation or prosecution as described above, or in response to a court order, subpoena, or other legal process.

You may not opt out of us collecting this information about your online use of our services, nor may you request that we delete or purge information of this type that is collected as a result of your interactions with us.

If we are required to share your information in this category by action of a court order, subpoena, or other legal process, we will make a reasonable attempt to notify you that your information has been shared, provided that we can identify you as the specific individual that the shared information pertains to, and provided that we are not otherwise enjoined or prevented by legal constraints from notifying you.

This type of information may be retained as long as it is required for operational purposes, but in no case will it be retained for less than 90 days.

Web browser cookies

The Mac Chess website may attempt to store “browser cookies” in your web browser. A “browser cookie” is a small file of information stored by our web server in your web browser, and is used to help facilitate your use of the services we provide on our website.

You may opt out of the use of browser cookies on the Mac Chess website by configuring your web browser to accept no cookies, or to not accept any cookies from the Mac Chess website.

If you opt out of the use of cookies, some functions of the Mac Chess website may not work correctly for you, or may not work at all.

Information you provide

Personally identifiable information. This may include your name, your mailing address, your email address, your date of birth, your telephone number, your social security number, and your US Chess Federation ID number. You may opt out of providing information to us by simply not providing it. However, if you do not provide the information we request of you, we may not be able to provide you with the services and benefits you are interested in.

Your name. We need this information to help establish your identity in the course of club membership registration and renewal, tournament registration, and to confirm your eligibility for any offered services or benefits you request.

Your mailing address, email address, and telephone number. We need this information from members to send correspondence related to your membership, to send you benefits you are entitled to with your membership (such as the McMinnville Chess Club newsletter), and to RSVP to events and purchase tickets.

Your social security number. We are required to obtain this from you before we can pay out any cash prizes in excess of $600 per calendar year. This information will be disclosed to the US Internal Revenue Service on IRS form 1099-MISC along with the total amount of prize money won if over $600 per year.

Your US Chess Federation ID number. We need this information to facilitate your registration in any USCF-sanctioned events you wish to participate in.

We will not disclose the information you provide to us to any third-parties, except as noted above, unless required by law to do so.

Information you provide to us will be retained as long as it is necessary to facilitate the provision of services to you, and for at least 7 years after your Mac Chess membership ends.

Collection of Personally Identifiable Information from children under the age of 13

In compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”), Mac Chess does not knowingly solicit nor does it knowingly accept the submission of personally identifiable information pertaining to children under the age of 13 without parental consent as required by law. If we become aware that we are in possession of such information without parental consent, we will make a reasonable effort to locate and notify a parent or guardian of the child whose information we have collected, and will then delete that information from our database.

Enjoy the contest and promote chess activities for learning, creativity, and youth participation. Fair play among friends is ensured by practicing the following principles of club etiquette.

Principles of Club Etiquette

McMinnville Chess Club, November 2024

• Use touch-move, so this practice becomes second nature with your play.
• Always display goad sportsmanship.
• Refrain from commenting on games in progress.
• Disputes can be cordially resolved with assistance from experienced club members.
• Keep your pieces and board clean while eating during play.
• Cover your face if you sneeze or cough, and don’t attend club events if you are sick.
• Congratulate your opponent when your game is over.
• Make friends!

Thank you all for contributing to the Principles of Club Etiquette feedback process and helping make the club better for everyone, and a huge thank you to Preston Polasek for drafting and pushing it forward.

We will make this official after we’ve had at least 2 weeks to discuss this club etiquette document at our club meetings, email newsletter responses, and discussion on Facebook so everyone has a chance to chime in.

Huge thank you to Preston Polasek for drafting this!