diff --git a/chain.js b/chain.js
index e973757..f98fdb8 100644
--- a/chain.js
+++ b/chain.js
@@ -667,6 +667,13 @@ function getOrgShare(rootId) {
   };
 }
 
+// Live direct count from the index (null when unknown) — used by the rotation
+// queue to reconcile against chain reality before activating a sponsor.
+function liveDirects(id) {
+  if (!state || !state.members[id]) return null;
+  return state.members[id].directCount || 0;
+}
+
 // Wallet address -> position id (for wallet-verified messaging sign-in).
 // One position per address by contract design.
 function memberIdByAccount(address) {
@@ -744,4 +751,4 @@ async function getIncome(id) {
   };
 }
 
-module.exports = { startIndexer, getPayoutsPublic, verifyMember, memberLookup, memberPublic, getIncome, getOwnerUpgradeNeeds, getOrgRouting, getOrgShare, getCoachingScan, getMatrixTree, isInTeam, nextOpenPosition, memberIdByAccount, balanceOf, CONTRACT };
+module.exports = { startIndexer, getPayoutsPublic, verifyMember, memberLookup, memberPublic, getIncome, getOwnerUpgradeNeeds, getOrgRouting, getOrgShare, getCoachingScan, getMatrixTree, isInTeam, nextOpenPosition, memberIdByAccount, liveDirects, balanceOf, CONTRACT };
diff --git a/server.js b/server.js
index cbc0f11..01bbc66 100644
--- a/server.js
+++ b/server.js
@@ -316,6 +316,17 @@ function recordEvent(event, source) {
   writeJson(ANALYTICS_FILE, a);
 }
 function normalizeStatuses(sponsors, preferredActiveId=null) {
+  // Chain reconciliation: queue members can qualify through leg activity long
+  // BEFORE their rotation turn, and the event-driven auto-counter never sees
+  // it (bit us twice on 2026-08-19: #41, then #46 activated while already
+  // 2/2 on-chain). Never activate someone the chain says is qualified.
+  sponsors=sponsors.map(s=>{
+    if(s.status==='qualified')return s;
+    const dc=chain.liveDirects(Number(s.id));
+    if(dc!=null&&dc>=2)return {...s,directs:2,status:'qualified'};
+    if(dc!=null&&dc>(Number(s.directs)||0))return {...s,directs:dc};
+    return s;
+  });
   const eligible=sponsors.filter(s=>s.status!=='qualified');
   let activeId=preferredActiveId;
   if(!activeId || !eligible.some(s=>s.id===activeId)){