Provided by MYRON THOMAS, chair
The Rules Committee considered and issued decisions on nine appeals, with 1 appeal pending, and worked on four motions this term. The committee welcomed new members Enrique Huerta AZ and Jeff Smith IL.
Brief summary of the appeals considered by the committee.
Appeal No. 1. At issue was whether a properly set DGT North American chess clock that displayed a move counter can be used to support a 13Ca time-forfeit claim. Based on the facts presented in the appeal, the committee affirms that a reasonably complete scoresheet is necessary to validate or repudiate a time forfeit claim. Chess clocks that display move counters are not always reliable and cannot be the only evidence used to support the claim. The committee suggests a director use judgment in deciding if a digital clock was deliberately set improperly. Directors are encouraged to intervene into a game to correct a incorrectly set clock without requiring a player to first make a claim. A player with a question regarding the information displayed on a game clock should consult a director.
Appeal No. 2. A player appealed a ruling to exclude him from the prize fund payout after requesting a zero-point bye in the last round order to retain eligibility to receive prize money. Based on the facts presented in the appeal, the consensus of the committee is a director granting a zero-point bye in the final round of a tournament allows a player to retain prize eligibility. Directors are encouraged to communicate clearly to players as to whether the player is withdrawing from the tournament or being granted a zero-point bye in the final round allowing the player to complete the tournament. Unless the director decides otherwise, a player failing to complete a tournament is not eligible for prizes.
Appeal No. 3. In this appeal a player requested a full refund of the entry fee and asked for the section to be repaired after an mistake by tournament staff caused the player not to be paired for the round. Based on the facts presented in the appeal, the committee affirms that directors can make changes to pairings if necessary. However, directors should not cancel games after Black's fourth move and players are not entitled to refunds after beginning play in the first round of a tournament.
Appeal No. 4. This appeal involved a player requesting assistance of the director in counting 50 moves in order to claim draw. Based on the facts presented in the appeal, the committee agrees a director has discretion in agreeing to count moves or to delegate the responsibility. Directors are encouraged to make every effort to protect a players rights in resolving appeals. However, a director should always inform the players that a 50 move rule claim is also a draw offer. Players have the right, for any reason, to pause the clock and consult a director.
Appeal No. 5. In this appeal the player appealed the prize distribution of a place prize after receiving less prize money than should have been awarded. After the error in prize distribution was identified the organizer agreed to pay the correct prize amount to the players. In accordance with US Chess Rules the prizes for which at least one player in the tie is eligible is summed and divided equally among the tied players. The committee agrees that this pay out method is in accordance with US Chess Rules 32B1, 32B2, 32B3 and 32B4.
Appeal No. 6. In this appeal, a player made a 20H claim and requested a forfeit win. Based on the facts presented in the appeal, the committee determined that opponent was away from the board for less than 5 minutes and did not violate US Chess rule 20H.
Appeal No. 7. In this appeal, a player claimed a tournament director violated US Chess rules by changing the format of a chess tournament after the event had been advertised. Based on the facts presented in the appeal, the committee determined that the players agreed to the modifications and no US Chess rule was violated.
Appeal No. 8. In this appeal an online chess platform flagged a players games as suspicious and the players games were forfeit. Based on the facts presented the appeal, the online platform did not provide any details of their Fair Play methodology to the player or the committee. The committee noted that the online chess platform's Fair Play software was not endorsed by US Chess. In addition, the affiliate accused the player of using an outside source during the tournament but failed to provide evidence to support the accusation. The committee affirms players have the right to know that evidence used to support a claim a player violated a rule is unbiased. Tournament rules and policies should be available to players at the time of registration.
Appeal No. 9. In this appeal a parent claimed pairings and tiebreaking methods used in a State Chess Championship to determine the states representative to the Rockefeller Tournament violated the rules of chess. Based on the facts presented in the appeal, the committee determined the appellant provided no evidence for the claims and warned the appellant against making unsubstantiated allegations.
The committee worked the following motions this term:
A motion to amend Rules 14C9, 14F4 and 15D. This motion removes the parenthetical reference and link to Rule 13C7 Definition of reasonably complete scoresheet.
A motion to amend Rule 15B Scorekeeping in time pressure, non-sudden death time control and Rule 15C Scorekeeping in time pressure, sudden death time control. This motion clarifies the requirement for players to keep score when a game is being played with 30 or more seconds of increment time or delay time.
A motion to amend Rule 20H Long absence during play and Rule 20N Electronic communication devices and other affected rules. This motion moves the first paragraph of rule 20N to be the second paragraph of rule 20H.
A motion to remove Rule 36 Rules and Regulations for Computer Participants from the US Chess Rules of Chess and amend other affected rules.
Thanks to committee members for volunteering their time: Enrique Huerta, Steve Immitt, Tim Just, Tom Langland, Al Losoff, Bob Messenger, Mike Regan, Ken Sloan, Jeff Smith and Bill Smythe.
