TournaChess

NWSRS Integration

TournaChess supports the Northwest Scholastic Rating System (NWSRS), a regional rating system for chess players in the Pacific Northwest. Despite its name, NWSRS tracks both scholastic and adult players. NWSRS integration provides automatic rating lookups, player search, and regular data synchronization.

What is NWSRS?

NWSRS is a chess rating system maintained at ratingsnw.com. Originally focused on scholastic players, it now tracks both scholastic and adult players across the Pacific Northwest region. NWSRS ratings are commonly used for tournaments in Washington, Oregon, and neighboring states.

NWSRS IDs

Every NWSRS player has an 8-character alphanumeric ID that encodes their school and identity. For example, in the ID LHPNP32Z:

  • LHP (first 3 characters): The school code, identifying the player's school.
  • N (4th character): The grade code (A through M for grades K–12, N for adult players).
  • P32Z (last 4 characters): A unique, stable identifier for the player that does not change even if they transfer schools.

New players who have not yet participated in a rated event start with only the first 4 characters of their ID (school code + grade code). After the results of their first event are processed, NWSRS assigns the unique 4-character suffix, giving them a full 8-character ID.

When a player transfers to a different school, their full NWSRS ID changes (the school code and possibly the grade code update), but the last four characters remain the same. TournaChess tracks players by this stable identifier, so transfers are handled automatically when the NWSRS data refreshes.

Registration

When a player registers for an NWSRS-rated section, the registration form includes an NWSRS ID field. Players enter their 8-character ID (or 4 characters for first-time players), and TournaChess validates it in real time against the local NWSRS database. A green checkmark confirms the ID was found, along with the player's name and rating.

Registration form

New Players

Players who have not yet participated in an NWSRS-rated event do not have a full 8-character ID. The registration form includes a Look up my school link that opens a wizard to generate a temporary 4-character ID. The player searches for their school, selects their grade, and the wizard generates the ID from the school code and grade code. After the tournament results are processed by NWSRS, the player will be assigned their full 8-character ID.

New player wizard

Automatic Rating Lookups

When a player enters their NWSRS ID during registration, TournaChess looks up their current rating from the local NWSRS database. The rating is stored with the registration and immediately available for pairings and display. If a player has linked their NWSRS ID to their TournaChess profile, the lookup happens automatically whenever they register for an NWSRS-rated event.

When registering players for an NWSRS-rated or USCF+NWSRS dual-rated section, the player search includes results from the NWSRS database. You can search by player name or NWSRS ID. Search results show the player's NWSRS rating, school name (for scholastic players), and grade code, making it easy to find and register players.

Player search

Regular Data Sync

TournaChess automatically refreshes NWSRS data on a regular basis. The sync process downloads the latest player and school data from ratingsnw.com, detects changes (new players, updated ratings, school transfers, archived records), and applies them to the local database. If a player's rating changes between registration and the start of your event, the updated rating is reflected in your entry list and pairings.

NWSRS Rating Display

NWSRS ratings appear throughout the tournament experience: entry lists, pairings, standings, and projector views. In dual-rated sections (USCF+NWSRS), both rating columns are displayed side by side.

NWSRS ratings display

Archived Players

If a player's NWSRS record has been marked as archived, TournaChess shows a warning during registration. Archived players can still register -- the warning is informational, not a hard block.

Dual-Rated Sections (USCF+NWSRS)

USCF+NWSRS dual-rated sections bring both rating systems together. TournaChess retrieves and displays both USCF and NWSRS ratings for each player. You configure which rating system the pairing algorithm uses for seeding -- USCF or NWSRS -- on a per-section basis. The default is USCF.

This is useful for events that want to track results in both systems. Many NWSRS players also have a USCF ID, and the NWSRS database cross-references approximately 7,000 players with their USCF IDs.

Results Export

For NWSRS-rated and USCF+NWSRS dual-rated sections, use the following export formats:

  • SJSON Export -- This is the format used to submit results to NWSRS. Available for both NWSRS-Rated and USCF+NWSRS Dual-Rated sections.
  • USCF Export -- For USCF+NWSRS dual-rated sections, use the USCF Export (DBF format) to submit results to USCF separately.
  • TRF Export -- Also available for NWSRS sections, though not typically needed for NWSRS submission.

Export results

Frequently Asked Questions

What if a player does not have an NWSRS ID?

Players without an NWSRS ID can still register for unrated sections. For NWSRS-rated sections, the player needs to be registered in the NWSRS system. Contact your local chess organization or visit ratingsnw.com for information on obtaining an NWSRS ID.

Can I run an NWSRS-rated section without USCF?

Yes. You can set a section's rating type to NWSRS-Rated, and only NWSRS ratings will be used for pairings and display. USCF IDs and memberships are not required for NWSRS-only sections.

How often is NWSRS data updated?

TournaChess typically pulls in changes within 24 hours of being published by the NWSRS.

Still have questions? Visit our Contact page to get in touch with TournaChess support.