Can Spectators Writing Moves During Games ?

I read an interesting article in chess cafe - An Arbiter`s Notebook - by famous International Arbiter (IA) Geurt Gijssen regarding spectators writing moves of someone games.

`Question :  Dear, Mr. Gijssen. I sometimes see spectators at chess games standing behind or near the players writing down their opening moves. Or even players of the tournament writing down moves of other players while standing near their boards. Are there any prohibitions for players or spectators in the tournament room from writing down the moves of the games? Regards, Jorge Bocker (Germany)`

Answer  :  I refer to two Articles of the Laws of Chess:

13.7.a Spectators and players in other games are not to speak about or otherwise interfere in a game. If necessary, the arbiter may expel offenders from the playing venue. If someone observes an irregularity, he may inform only the arbiter.

12.5 Players who have finished their games shall be considered to be spectators.

Only in these two Articles of the Laws of Chess are spectators mentioned. I know from my own experiences that it is difficult in some tournaments, especially in open tournaments and league competitions, to separate spectators from players. In closed tournaments only a limited number of persons have access to the playing area and the playing area is easier to control.

Therefore, I shall discuss the question only in cases where spectators have access to the playing area.

I try to keep the spectators at an appropriate distance from the players, but it is quite difficult, especially during time trouble. Sometimes chairs are placed in a circle around the boards to provide some distance for the players involved.

In general, I have no problem with spectators or journalists recording the moves. However, I have a different opinion regarding chess players writing down the moves of other games. This could potentially be seen as notes for their actual game, and, as you know, it is forbidden to use notes during the game - 

(IA Geurt Gijssen)

  

I`m pleased to noted that as a spectators , we are allowed to write players moves during game. It will certainly help bloggers like me to record certain interesting moment during games to be publish in the blog.

source: chesscafe.com

"Losing" Together...

A chess game always ended in a win/lose or draw. When your opponent win - you lose; when your opponent lose -you win; and finally both of you draw a game...but wait....can both of you and your opponent lost a game ?

That's what happen in round 6 of the Zhejiang Lishui Xingqiu Open recently. Two Chinese player agreed to a draw without playing a single move. International Arbiter - Ignatius Leong declared both players to have lost their game!

Read the full article at FIDE.com here

Another interesting result is to lose and win your game at the same time!? (photo right)...wait...it can also ended in a draw :)

Change in Law Of Chess - starting 1st July 2009 !

I love to play chess. But one thing i don't love about chess is the Laws of Chess. Probably because law is not my favourite subject so i might be biased. However i found that law of chess changed frequently and it confuse players or perhaps...arbiters too. I bet that some qualified arbiters also found it's hard to master the laws of chess. Probably because not all chess player have law background.

Another things is law is not always straightforward. Always there will be a situation when an arbiter needs to interpret. When this happen, a different interpretation might arise. Sometimes it's like to decide which come first - egg or chicken ?

Ok, you all might wonder why i write about laws of chess in this article...actually i would like to mentioned that some of the major changes to the Laws of Chess will come into force on July 1, 2009.

Read an important article from famous arbiter Guert Gijssen at chesscafe.com

For me the changes is quite tricky. I advised all serious player (and arbiter !) read and understand it carefully! However please take note that the changes will only apply starting from July 1, 2009. Below are some interesting changes .


Article 12.3.c was added.

"Smoking is permitted only in the section of the venue designated by the
arbiter"

Ok, i know some of my friends will appreciate this changes !

Another interesting changes was added to Article 12.6:

"It is forbidden to distract or annoy the opponent in any manner
whatsoever. This includes unreasonable claims, unreasonable offers of a
draw or the introduction of a source of noise into the playing area"

According to Geurt Gijssen, this likely applies to MP3 players and IPods, but perhaps even crying babies can be banned from the playing hall with this addition.

Be Punctual or...0 point you get !

I read an interesting information about "zero start" rule from sifumycatur blog. It's about an important change by FIDE in waiting time rule at the start of a chess game . As i know, the rule about waiting time is unclear- at least for me. What i mean is a clear guideline of waiting time for a player if your opponent happen to turn up late.

I remember one of my own experience playing in Merdeka Team Tournament in 90's. My opponent turn up late and have 5 minutes left and i have about 1 hour but he still be allowed to play. My opponent is quite a strong player but i managed to win the game because of time factor. In another case, one of my friend which i will not mentioned his name :) ...always had problem with time . In many occasions whether a long or rapid time control he will came up late and usually had about 5 minutes left but....still won the games!

This time FIDE won let this kind of situation happen anymore. So be punctual guy's ..if not ....0 point you get !

Nor Ilhamuddin Ask Geurt Gijssen at Chesscafe.com!

Someone at the gilachess.blog shoutbox mentioned that local player Nor Ilhamuddin (photo right)- Terengganu's , EON Bank banker ask questions to famous international arbiter - Geurt Gijssen in Chesscafe.com regarding the rules concerning player’s mobile phone rings in the playing venue during play. His question is quite interesting especially the last question :-

"....Last but not least, isn’t it possible for one player to sabotage another, say, in the last round of a weekend tournament when the stakes are high, by placing a cheap throw-away phone in the opponent’s jacket and then calling the number. Then, when the opponent’s phone rings, a claim is made because of the ringing mobile?...."

Read the full article here

Show Up On Time or Else……..

Mr.Arbiter! Mr. Arbiter! my opponent didn't turn up..please forfeit him!!!

New rules will be implemented to all chess players starting from 12 November 2008 which is the start of The 38th World Chess Olympiad in Dresden, German . All players MUST turn up at the start of their game. They will not be permitted to come late. Any player didn’t come on time will being forfeited for the game!

Source http://www.aseanchess.com/

Photo from chessbase

Drama in Aeroflat Open 2008!

One funny incident happens in the last round game of Aeroflot 2008 between French - Maxime Vachier Lagrave (left) against Vietnamese - Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (right) . First, after playing for about 7 hours!, they were asked by the chief arbiter Geurt Gijssen to move from the main playing hall to a quite far room for unknown reason! ( probaly the organizer want to prepare the main playing hall for the closing ceremonies!?). So they dully walk for about 20 meters to play in another room.

After resuming the game, Nguyen achieved a mating attack in a King+Bishop+Rook vs King+Rook endgame. Unfortunately for him , Maxime claim a draw due to the 50 move rule.

Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (2551) - Vachier Lagrave,M (2637) [B92]
Aeroflot Open Moscow RUS (9), 22.02.2008

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Be2 Be6 9.f4 exf4 10.Bxf4 0–0 11.Qd2 d5 12.e5 Ne4 13.Nxe4 dxe4 14.Qe3 Nc6 15.c3 Na5 16.Nd2 Rc8 17.Rd1 Qc7 18.Nxe4 Nc4 19.Qg3 Kh8 20.b3 Qc6 21.Bf3 Bd5 22.Nd6 Bxf3 23.Qxf3 Bh4+ 24.Ke2 Qxf3+ 25.gxf3 Nxd6 26.Rxd6 Rxc3 27.Rc1 Rxc1 28.Bxc1 Rd8 29.Kd3 h5 30.Ke4 Kh7 31.f4 Rc8 32.Be3 Rc7 33.f5 Be7 34.Rd1 Ba3 35.Bf4 Re7 36.Rd8 Bb2 37.Rd5 Kg8 38.Be3 Rc7 39.Bc5 Rc6 40.b4 Rc8 41.Rd7 a5 42.Rxb7 axb4 43.Bxb4 Rc2 44.Bd6 Rxh2 45.e6 Rh4+ 46.Kf3 fxe6 47.fxe6 Bf6 48.Rb8+ Kh7 49.e7 Bxe7 50.Bxe7 Ra4 51.a3 g5 52.Rb6 Rc4 53.Ra6 g4+ 54.Kg3 Rc3+ 55.Kh4 Rh3+ 56.Kg5 g3 57.Ra7 g2 58.Bf6+ Kg8 59.Rg7+ Kf8 60.Kh6 g1Q 61.Rxg1 Rxa3 62.Kg6 Re3 63.Rd1 Re2 64.Rd8+ Re8 65.Rd7 Re2 66.Rh7 Ke8 67.Kf5 Ra2 68.Re7+ Kf8 69.Rd7 Ke8 70.Rb7 h4 71.Bxh4

This is the starting point where moves would been made by each player without the movement of any pawn and without any capture. It is a Rook +bishop versus a rook endings and according to theory this pawn less endgames is usually a theoretical draw. However, the rook and bishop have good winning chances in practice because the defense is difficult . There are some winning positions. See Philidor position#Rook and bishop versus rook and Cochrane Defense

71...Ra5+ 72.Kg6 Re5 73.Bf6 Re2 74.Ra7 Re1 75.Kf5 Rb1 76.Bd4 Kd8 77.Ke6 Kc8 78.Be5 Rc1 79.Rf7 Rc2 80.Bd6 Rc1 81.Kd5 Ra1 82.Rh7 Ra2 83.Bf4 Ra6 84.Be5 Rb6 85.Rc7+ Kd8 86.Ra7 Kc8 87.Rc7+ Kd8 88.Bd6 Rb1 89.Ra7 Re1 90.Be5 Rd1+ 91.Ke6 Rc1 92.Rb7 Rc2 93.Rb3 Rc6+ 94.Bd6 Rc1 95.Rh3 Kc8 96.Rh8+ Kb7 97.Rb8+ Ka7 98.Rb4 Rd1 99.Kd7 Rc1 100.Bc7 Rh1 101.Bf4 Rh3 102.Be5 Rh1 103.Bd6 Rc1 104.Bf4 Rc2 105.Bc7 Rc1 106.Rb5 Rc2 107.Rb6 Rg2 108.Rb3 Rc2 109.Rb1 Rc3 110.Be5 Rc2 111.Kd6 Rd2+ 112.Kc6 Rc2+ 113.Kd5 Rg2 114.Bd6 Rg5+ 115.Kc6 Ka6

The clocks at the playing hall shows that both players have been
playing for 6 hours and 45 minutes! ( the round start at 11.00 a.m!)

Geurt Gijssen the arbiter stop the clock at move 115
and ask both player to move to another rooms

Both players move to another rooms

116.Rb8 Rg7 117.Rb6+ Ka7 118.Rb1 Ka8 119.Re1

Maxime in the verge of being checkmate in 2 !

119...Rb7 120.Re8+ Ka7 121.Bc5+

After move 125. Bc5+ Maxime claim a draw to the arbiter to show his intention to make a move which shall result in the last 50 moves having been made by each player without the movement of any pawn and without any capture

it is mate in two but unfortunately for Nguyen the 50 move rules has occur! Maxime claim a draw to the arbiter to show his intention to make a move which shall result in the last 50 moves having been made by each player without the movement of any pawn and without any capture if 12...Ka6 [121...Rb6+ 122.Bxb6+ Ka6 123.Ra8#] 122.Ra8+ Ra7 123.Rxa7# checkmate!)

so.....½–½

1/2-1/2 - Both players agreed for a draw!
The spectator applause them for an interesting game!

Let look what the rules say about it. I'm refering to FIDE Handbook

Article 9: The drawn game

9.3 The game is drawn, upon a correct claim by the player having the move, if

a. he writes his move on his score sheet, and declares to the arbiter his intention to make this move which shall result in the last 50 moves having been made by each player without the movement of any pawn and without any capture, or

b. the last 50 consecutive moves have been made by each player without the movement of any pawn and without any capture.

source : Europe-Echecs.com and wikipedia

Checkmate or Lost on Time? (Updated 24 December 2007)!

I recall one of my blitz game against “retired” local chess player Julian Navaratnam in National Blitz Championship held at Armcorp Mall ,Petaling Jaya in 12th April 1998 . The tournament were held by the Selangor Chess Association (CAS) in between with the Resorts World Asian Cities Championship held in Genting Highlands from 8-15th April 1998. 12 April 1998 were the rest day for the Asian Cities Championship so many foreign players went to Amcorp Mall to play the blitz events.

FM Zhang Penxiang from China won that events. Among the winners is 2nd. Zan Win Lay (Myanmar), 3rd. FM Wang Rui (China), 4th. Aung Myo Hlaing (Myanmar), 5th. Myint Han (Myanmar),6th. Naing Lim Aung (Myanmar), 7th. Darren Yong (Malaysia), 8th. Law Zhe Kang (Malaysia), 9th. Maung Maung Lwin (Myanmar).......yours truly:) 16th. Hairul Abdul Hamid (Malaysia)!.....source Malay Mail, 17 April 1998

In one of the round, I played black against Julian. He played 1.e4 and I replied with 1…e5 2. Nf3 d6- Philidor Defense. Those days, Philidor Defense (diagram left) have served me well and gave many good result to me especially in blitz. I even beat Lim Yee Weng (now Fide Master) in 1999 Klang Parade blitz tournaments using the same opening. the winner of that events is 1st. Fikrul Saifuddin, 2nd. Julian Navaratnam, 3rd. Ng ee Vern, 4th. Mohd Saprin Sabri and 5th...yours truly.... Hairul Abdul Hamid :) .

However In my game with Julian, i had a very difficult time at the early stage of the game. I carelessly lost a piece in the middle game but manage to get two pawn as a compensation-not enough though. Without doubt, with best play the position is winning for white but in blitz anything can happen! Julian confidently use his extra material to delivered checkmate to my king’s but I stubbornly defense and “steal” time to slow and steady promote my passed pawn on the queen side.

Suddenly Julian found that his checkmate is going nowhere whereas my passed pawn on the queen side is unstoppable! In a terrible time trouble I managed to promote my passed pawn and take turn to checkmate Julian.

Julian knows he will lose the game and starts pressing the clock without releasing his hand from the button . This made me a little bit angry because with analog clock I can’t press the button if my opponent didn’t release his hand from the clock button’s.

Just a split second before I delivered the final move (checkmate!) my flag drop and Julian stop the clock and claim I lost on time. I disagree because the position is checkmate. We later decided to call the arbiter to settle the argument. The arbiter listen to our claims and decided that I won the game because the final position is checkmate. Julian professionally accept the decision.Julian professionally accept the desicions.

Recently I found an article from famous arbiter Geurt Gijssen (photo down left) in chesscafe.com regarding the rules.

Question Dear Mr. Gijssen, I have two questions for you.

1) In a 5-minute game, Player A made his move, but did not even have time to press his clock before Player B delivered a checkmate. Thereafter, Player A realized that Player B had overstepped the time limit at least one move before the checkmate. Player A claimed a win on time, while Player B claimed a win on checkmate. Who is correct in your opinion?

Answer 1) I refer to Article B7 of the Rapid Rules, which also apply for Blitz games:

The flag is considered to have fallen when a player has made a valid claim to that effect. The arbiter shall refrain from signaling a flag fall.

The question is: is the claim valid after the flag has fallen? The answer is: No. As you can see, the arbiter should not intervene when a player oversteps the time. This means that the game continues, even after a flag fall. Therefore, the game finished the moment Player B checkmated Player A’s king.