Nationwide comparison of tournament attendance and activity for three chess playing years 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000.

First this data has been compiled from the bi-monthly USCF rating supplements. The study examines tournament attendance both by state and nationally for three consecutive years starting with the August Rating Supplement and going through the June Supplement. The total number of events run, the number of total players who participated and the average number of players per event are all shown by supplement in the three tables above for each year studied. The figures do not include any USCF National events as these events float from state to state and do not generally indicate local, state or affiliate activity. All CCA events are included in the study since many of these events are held in the same state or city each year.

Analysis of the data reveals that 1997-98 was the best year of the three studied, in both number of events run and number of players attending. The 1998-99 data shows a serious downturn in all categories.

This year, number of events dropped, but attendance climbed .8%. This produced a major improvement in the number of players per event average nationwide.

For additional information, contact bdraney@novia.net.

To see the three year comparison for individual states click here.