TD CORNER

By Tim Just

Comments From TJ’s Peanut Gallery

From Scott R. Parker

The board-numbering scheme (serpentine) at a recent tournament caused some confusion among the players.

Mike and John were assigned to play on Board 33. The TD knew both players by sight, but they do not know each other. John sits down at Board 33 and sets up his equipment. Confused by the numbering system, Mike mistakenly sits at Board 48, and he also sets up his equipment. Both players start their clocks at the beginning of the round. A few minutes later the TD is looking around the room and sees both Mike and John sitting without opponents. He goes to the pairing sheet to check on the identity of their opponents. He quickly realizes that Mike has become confused by the board numbering system and is at the wrong board. He informs Mike of his error. Mike then puts his equipment away and sits down across from John.

When John learns that Mike only found out about his error from the TD he becomes irate. He informs the TD that it was improper for the TD to have said anything to Mike, and that he is playing the game under protest. The TD counters that in his view John is displaying bad sportsmanship by trying to win without playing the game, simply hoping that Mike would stay confused. Since John won the game his protest became moot, but I would like your opinion. Should the TD have said anything to Mike or not?

TJ Comments: It appears that John is practicing his "off the board gamesmanship." On page 231 in the 5th edition of the rulebook: "ALL PLAYERS ARE RESPONSIBLE: ...2. To compete in a spirit of good sportsmanship."

Can the TD inform Mike about sitting at the wrong board? Yep! Page 87 in the 5th edition addresses what we expect of our TDs: "21B Duties and powers...to familiarize players with the playing facility and other tournament conditions..."

If the TD wants to be creative then 13D (late arrival) may also apply; i.e., "A director who learns that a player is unavoidably delayed may waive the one-hour forfeit rule." Here Mark was unavoidably delayed and the TD may rule that John cannot win via forfeit.

From Gary Southerland

What is the proper way to offer a draw if the opponent is not at the board?

TJ Comments: While the rulebook does not specifically address this particular situation we can use the "meaning of the law" to come up with a good guess as to what to do here.

If you read over 14B there is a pattern; i.e., once the draw offer is made either improperly or properly the opponent gets a chance to either accept or reject the offer. So, in this case if player B is not at the board and player A wants to make a draw offer, player A makes the move, presses the clock, and informs his opponent about the draw offer when player B returns to the board. Player A cannot be expected to let their clock run while they wait for B's return.

From Timothy Owens

I believe I need to have more clarity on how available a director should make himself for withdrawal purposes. Page.231 in the 5th edition of the rules states: “8. That tournament directors be available at all times in the event of questions or problems.” A player left the site and then tried to phone in a withdrawal to the TD one hour before the next round pairings; however, the director was not available by phone. The pairings for the next round were needlessly incorrect.

TJ Comments: The TDCC felt that any TD in this situation is considered available. In general TDs do have to use the facilities, eat, and sleep. Signing a withdrawal list is the most common way to withdraw from an event, that a way there is some proof (and a reminder to the TD) that the player really intended to withdraw. The availability rule was written long before the advent of cell phones with the idea that the TD should be at the site and available to the players also physically at the event. Some TDs set their cell phones to “vibrate” so they can be reached by “off site” players; however, that is a courtesy not a rule.

From Dan Heisman

Suppose a player promotes a pawn with hand A, places the Queen on the board with hand B, and then pushes the clock with hand A?

TJ Comments: Look at rule 9D page 18 in the 5^th edition of the rules: “...and the player's hand has released the new appropriate piece on the promotion square, and completed when that player presses the clock.” 8F6 says: “On reaching the last rank a pawn must immediately be exchanged, as part of the same move...” So, pushing the pawn to the last rank and exchanging it for another piece is all part of the same move. Since moves must be made with the same hand that presses the clock (16C1), then the promotion-exchange-press clock sequence must all be done with the same hand.

You can send your comments or questions to: uscfrulebook@yahoo.com