No Claim, No Problem: The TD Calls It a Draw Anyhow

We all know that the TD can’t interfere in your game without a claim being made. It is one of our golden rules. Or is it? Let's take a look at a few exceptions!

Flag ‘em Danno

It is a Sudden Death contest. The pressure is on. You are focused, but so is your opponent. Both of you are banging out moves at lightning speeds. Both of you are playing “Beat the Clock.” Someone’s playing time is going to disappear first. Then it happens. The TD’s voice registers in your brain, and you hear words you can’t believe, “The game’s a draw!” Both of you look stunned and confused. Neither of you made a claim. How can it be that the TD called your game a draw?

The clock shows that the two of you each ran out of time but continued to push on without a claim. When both flags are down in a Sudden Death time control, and there was no claim, the game is instantly a draw and at an end, as stated in Rule 14G2.

The Standoff

You make your move. Instantly the TD calls it a draw! Who made a claim? How can the TD make a ruling in an ongoing contest? Isn’t that against the rules?

Your move created a stalemate, as your opponent is not in check but is left with no legal moves when it is their turn. Stalemate instantly ends the game in a draw; no claim is necessary. At that point comments are not barred from any quarter, even a TD. The game is over ala Rule 14A.

The Check ‘em and Wreck ‘em Dance

Your king and your adversaries’ queen are dancing back and forth, over and over and over the same small set of squares. Her majesty checks, your monarch moves—back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth…

Stubbornly, you and your opponent both hold on with the hope of running the other’s clock out of time. The TD steps in and declares the game a draw, no claim necessary. Rule 14K has kicked in: the same position appeared five times.

It's a Long, Long Road

75 moves. That’s all it took, 75 moves. Those 75 moves were hard-fought. Those 75 moves were time-consuming. Long after the contest started, the pawns stayed anchored to their destination squares during those 75 moves. Both generals moved their forces up, down, and sideways all over the board for 75 moves without a casualty.

Despite that, the TD called it quits for the two of you. The chips were cashed in for the both of you. Why? Neither of you moved a pawn for those 75 tries. Neither of you captured anything after 75 times at bat. Once again Rule 14K lets the TD enforce the rule by calling it a draw, and no claim is necessary.

Can you think of any other times the TD can jump into your game without your permission?

Want more? Past columns can be found here or by searching the Chess Life Online archives. 
 

Plus, listen to Tim when he was a guest on the podcasts “One Move at a Time” and “The Chess Angle.”