For years electronic notation devices have kept chess accessible and enjoyable for players of all ages.  Many children have been able to compete in a game that they love only because of the existence of these devices.  They also offer a superior method to record games as the recording is less likely to contain incorrect moves and is unaffected by handwriting ability.   These devices undergo a certification process ensuring that they can only be used for recording moves and cannot be used to cheat in any way.

In response to complaints by parents who are unfamiliar with the devices, the US Chess Federation has taken away the right of players to use this method of notation in national scholastic tournaments.  This decision harms the entire chess playing community in the United States. If it is unchanged, talented children will be driven away from competing in chess at a young age and many games of historical and personal significance will be lost forever. 

We therefore urge the US Chess Federation to reauthorize the use of the devices in national scholastic tournaments and explicitly authorize their use in all USCF rated events.