06-05-2013, 07:14 AM
As some of the players will be aware some of the large digital clocks do not always respond when pressed. When watching games as and arbiter one tends to notice the piece move, the same hand go to the clock and hear a distinct click as the silver button is struck. On the rare occasions when the clock does not respond to that contact one does not notice immediately unless specifically looking for it. It must be worse for the players.
In a time scramble these malfunctions can affect the result of the game. Consequently at the end of the final round I was observing clocks most closely than players. Because the clocks were more likely to malfunction.
In one game I arrived at the board when the player with the black pieces had 30 plus minutes on the clock and white was on 5 minutes with a probable winning position. I observed that game closely for several minutes. There were multiple occasions when it was white to move but black's clock was running.
The reason was that the adult with the black pieces had failed to press his clock. On each of those occasions the junior with white pieces pointed this out to his opponent despite having less than 5 minutes on the clock.
No doubt many will argue correctly that there is no need for a player to point out his opponents mistake. I expect that rule book students will argue that an arbiter pointing out a clock malfunction is interference in the game and that the players have to notice this for themselves.
My take on this is that rules should be interpreted for the good of the competition and that Declan Shafi exhibited probably the best manners I have ever seen at a chess board. It is unfortunate that other events occupied my time soon afterwards and prevented him getting a special mention at prize giving.
So belatedly, but potentially to a larger audience, VERY WELL DONE DECLAN , congratulations and thank you
In a time scramble these malfunctions can affect the result of the game. Consequently at the end of the final round I was observing clocks most closely than players. Because the clocks were more likely to malfunction.
In one game I arrived at the board when the player with the black pieces had 30 plus minutes on the clock and white was on 5 minutes with a probable winning position. I observed that game closely for several minutes. There were multiple occasions when it was white to move but black's clock was running.
The reason was that the adult with the black pieces had failed to press his clock. On each of those occasions the junior with white pieces pointed this out to his opponent despite having less than 5 minutes on the clock.
No doubt many will argue correctly that there is no need for a player to point out his opponents mistake. I expect that rule book students will argue that an arbiter pointing out a clock malfunction is interference in the game and that the players have to notice this for themselves.
My take on this is that rules should be interpreted for the good of the competition and that Declan Shafi exhibited probably the best manners I have ever seen at a chess board. It is unfortunate that other events occupied my time soon afterwards and prevented him getting a special mention at prize giving.
So belatedly, but potentially to a larger audience, VERY WELL DONE DECLAN , congratulations and thank you