Try this at home: USCF-rated Friday double

Because I'm on holidays I was able to play a nice USCF-rated Friday double. I played in two online events on two different servers starting at 5pm Pacific time. It's not easy but it can be done. I finished ten USCF-rated rapid rounds with 6.5/10, including a loss to one National Master.

ICC (15 5) went fairly well and I finished 2nd on tie-breaks with 4/5. Chess.com (15 10) didn't go so well. I failed to hold two endgames and I took a draw offer as Black: 2.5/5. 

Still, I recommend these events because you can get USCF rated from the comforts of your home. All you need to do is pay your annual membership fee to the US Chess Federation which comes with a magazine subscription to Chess Life. 

Here are a few positions from my Friday double.


A. Black to play
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1. ...Ng4+ wins the Queen. Easy. 0-1.

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B. A pin from hell, Black to play, 1-0.

​C. Black to move. There is no way to avoid mate on e5. Sad.