As Jack Rudd mentioned on the last posting, there's been a lot of discussion of late about how the rule about mobile phones should be used at local level (click the title to this post if you've got a spare hour or 2). For whatever it's worth, here's my opinion: I don't take an evening/ day out playing chess to win by a technicality, I want to play chess. If my opponent's phone went off during a match, I would allow him to turn it off, and continue with the match. I honestly don't believe anyone would use a phone at local level chess to cheat.
In the Somerset- Cornwall match yesterday this happened on seperate occasions to both a Somerset player and a Cornwall player, and I'm pleased to say that in both cases their opponents allowed them to switch the phone off and continue with match. I won't mention specific names here, but credit to you both.
Happy New Year!
6 years ago
I don't especially like that particular FIDE Law of Chess, but I'm not sure that it ought to be disregarded without a clear statement to that effect in the competition rules.
ReplyDeleteIt also flags up another issue in this competition - who has responsibility for in-match arbiting decisions (assuming no arbiter has been assigned to the match)? The Somerset player whose opponent's phone went off seemed very unsure about what to do or whom to talk to.
I am not that familiar with the FIDE rules but I always assumed that if the phone of my opponent makes any noise during the game, I'll win the game.
ReplyDeleteI remember Nigel Short loosing a game last year or so. His new mobile was making a noise (it wasn't even ringing) and he lost his game.
I personally think that it doesn't matter on what kind of level you play competetive chess the FIDE rules should apply.