Clock Recommendations

[narceleb]

@jwiewel

@narceleb

The FIDE rule says only, “A flag is considered to have fallen when the arbiter observes the fact or when either player has made a valid claim to that effect.” It does not require the arbiter to watch it happen.

And it is Rule 12.4 that allows arbiters to appoint assistants to observe games.
http://www.fide.com/fide/handbook.html?id=207&view=article

I was asking about the US Chess rule, not the FIDE rule. Sorry for not clarifying.

I am advocating the adoption of FIDE rules for flag falls.

[Terry_Winchester]

@narceleb

@jwiewel

@narceleb

The FIDE rule says only, “A flag is considered to have fallen when the arbiter observes the fact or when either player has made a valid claim to that effect.” It does not require the arbiter to watch it happen.

And it is Rule 12.4 that allows arbiters to appoint assistants to observe games.
http://www.fide.com/fide/handbook.html?id=207&view=article

I was asking about the US Chess rule, not the FIDE rule. Sorry for not clarifying.

I am advocating the adoption of FIDE rules for flag falls.

Wrong discussion.

[dennisk]

@narceleb

@dennisk

I don’t like to call flags for a different reason. It’s one thing for an arbiter to call flags or illegal moves in a small tournament where every game can be watched. But when I’m the only TD and there are 30 or 40 boards, I can’t possibly be watching more than a handful of games at any given time, and calling a flag in this game but not that one leaves me open to accusations of favoritism. I would rather not go there at all, and the rulebook backs me up on this. I prefer to let the players settle these things, and summon me when and if they need me – not because I’m lazy, but because I like to be as fair and impartial as possible.

“The [TD] may appoint assistants to observe games, for example when several players are short of time.”

I am not sure how this helps, though. These assistants are not allowed to call flags unless they are certified TDs, and even then, I would question whether they have this authority in this circumstance (i.e., they are not officially TDs of the tournament in question). I guess I believe in not interfering in the game unless there is a really good reason to. It is the player’s responsibility to call his opponent’s flag, and if he’s not observant enough to do that, too bad.

[narceleb]

@dennisk

@narceleb

“The [TD] may appoint assistants to observe games, for example when several players are short of time.”

I am not sure how this helps, though. These assistants are not allowed to call flags unless they are certified TDs, and even then, I would question whether they have this authority in this circumstance (i.e., they are not officially TDs of the tournament in question). I guess I believe in not interfering in the game unless there is a really good reason to. It is the player’s responsibility to call his opponent’s flag, and if he’s not observant enough to do that, too bad.

The assistants can, however, be impartial witnesses to touch move claims, which are more likely in time scrambles. They can also record the game when the rules require it.