Quiz Time

1. The prizes in the weekend Chess Club Open were $500-300-200 Top X, A, B, C, D - $110 each Top U1200 - $100 plus $250 for the top scoring Chess Club member.

Three masters scored 4.5 and split the top place prizes. Three Experts scored 4 and took home $36.67 each. One Class A player scored 4 points and took $110 to the bank A single D wood pusher scored 2.5 to claim the $110 first place prize fund. The U1200 $100 prize was picked up by a 2 point scoring Class E player.

Two Class B players, Winnie and Kitster, each scored 3.5 to qualify for the $110 prize. Four Class C players, Edith, Tim, Dan, and Wayne also scored 3.5 to stake a claim on their first place $110 prize. Additionally Winnie, Kitster, Tim, and Wayne are Chess Club members, which makes them eligible for the $250 top scoring club member prize.

How does the TD award the remaining prizes?

1. Sum up all the prizes ($110 + $110 + $250) and divide the total by the number of players tied (6); i.e., $470/6 = $78.34 each.

2. Sum the “A” and “B: prizes ($110 +$110) and divide by the six (6) players tied with 3.5. Next divide the $250 Club prize by the 4 Club members that scored 3.5 ($250/4). The six players in the 3.5 tie all receive $36.67 each. Additionally Winnie, Kitster, Tim and Wayne receive an extra $62.50 each for the special club prize.

3. Winnie and Kitster split the “B” prize and receive $55 each. Edith, Tim, Dan, and Wayne split the “C” prize to receive $27.50 each. Additionally Winnie, Kitster, Tim and Wayne receive an extra $62.50 each for the special club prize.

4. None of the above.

2. Barry is seven years old and has not lost a rated game in three recent local scholastic events. His rating, available at the USCF site, is unofficially 1200. His official published rating is Unrated. His parents are concerned that something is amiss within the USCF rating system because other players his age in his school are rated only in the 900-1000 range. When Barry enters the State Grade School Scholastic Championship what rating does the TD assign him?

1. 1200

2. Unrated

3. 1300

4. Any of the above

3. The clock shows that both players have less than five minutes left to make in the sudden death time control period. Neither player is taking score. Player A, with less than one minute left on her clock, stops the clock and claims that Player B made an illegal move three moves previously. Player A wants two minutes added to her clock. Player B denies that an illegal move was made. The position on the board and the lack of an accurate scoresheet from either player adds to the confusion. How does the TD rule?

1. The TD denies the claim.

2. The TD upholds the claim and adds two minutes to Player A’s clock.

3. The TD upholds the claim and adds no time to Player A’s clock.

4. The chief, senior level, TD at a scholastic event with a $1500 scholarship first place prize and 125 entrants claims that this event fulfills the experience requirement as one of the three category B (100 player plus) tournaments that awards $1000+ in prizes that is required before they can apply to take the ANTD exam (rule 34a).

1. This event counts as an experience requirement for a category B AND a $1000 in prizes event.

2. This event counts as only a single Category B tournament (100+ players).

3. Any of the above.

4. None of the above.

Answers

1. C is the correct answer. The prizes for Class B and Class C are first awarded to those players that qualify for them. The Chess Club prize of $250 is a separate prize much like a “Best Senior” or a “Best Junior” prize and is calculated and awarded independently of any Class or Place prizes. Those extra prizes are a nice idea but can cause some headaches when it comes to divvy up the ante. Just think about the challenges a TD would face from the other class prize winners had Winnie scored 4-1 instead of 3.5 – 1.5, Yikes?! Thanks to Mike Atkins for inspiring this question.

2. Based on Rule 28D4, Director Calculated Ratings, D is the correct answer. The TD has a lot of latitude here but should use common sense when applying this rule. Yours truly would go with the 1200 rating; however, I could be persuaded to use “Unrated” on the wallchart for this young person. While it is technically possible to assign a 1300 rating to this player I would be hesitant to do so for someone so young. The child’s parents may find any assigned rating, other than Unrated, out of place when they compare it to other kids their child’s age; however, their child has not lost a game over several events while other kids have probably posted a few goose eggs. This question was inspired by a query received by Mike Nolan from a parent.

3. A is the correct choice here. Without any witnesses, scoresheets, or any other evidence the claim must be denied. This was inspired by an event at the Chicago Open as reported by Wayne Clark.

4. B is the correct answer. The prize is indivisible. The experience requirement is designed to give a TD experience with dividing up prizes worth substantial amounts of moola; i.e., divisible prizes sought after by a substantial number of players. The scholarship is nothing more than a fancy trophy, both indivisible when it comes time to pass prizes. Thanks to Dan Heisman for inspiring this question. The TDCC should probably discuss the issue divisible and indivisible prizes and how to best use them in the experience requirements for Td certification.