Grading of Senior TD tests

[Akzidenz]

@AsianAcerook

For example, my answer ‘sheet’ to the senior TD exam was 17 pages because every answer, even trivial, was backed up with a rationale.

Jeez, Brian. I only wrote seven pages (3300 words) on my ANTD test.

[nolan]

Mr. Magar makes an excellent point upthread. US Chess really doesn’t pay much attention to who can organize a tournament. Anyone can start up an affiliate for $40, you don’t even have to be a US Chess member, and any affiliate can run a rated tournament. (It still needs to be directed by a certified TD, though.)

Handling registrations, including checking memberships and selling them to non-members, really should be the province of the organizer, not the TD, but more often than not those jobs gets tasked to the TDs.

Because the TD is the only ‘certified’ individual, it probably makes sense to have the TD’s certification testing include prize distribution skills, even though that is rightly the organizer’s job.

[BrianYangUSChess]

@nolan

…Handling registrations, including checking memberships and selling them to non-members, really should be the province of the organizer, not the TD, but more often than not those jobs gets tasked to the TDs. … Because the TD is the only ‘certified’ individual, it probably makes sense to have the TD’s certification testing include prize distribution skills, even though that is rightly the organizer’s job.

Without straying too far from the topic of “Grading of Senior TD tests”, it is definitely not the organizer’s job to be able to calculate prize funds. They should be able to provide the prize fund (guaranteed, based on, etc) but otherwise the calculations is part of the TD’s role because ultimately the Chief TD will be responsibly for any errors in prize distribution and any repercussions of it.

Best,
~Acerook

[nolan]

Rule 23A says the organizer (defined as the organizing affiliate for most events) is responsible for all financial matters but then goes on to say that the TD is responsible for all issues involving rules, and there are quite a few rules for prize distribution.

Rules 23A1 and 32C both name the affiliate as responsible for prize distributions, 32C also charges the TD with responsibility, so the responsibility is somewhat shared under the rules. However, in the event that prizes are not paid, a ‘hired’ TD should not be held liable for their payment, the affiliate officers or owners should be.

If the rulebook specifically assigns responsibility for correcting incorrectly computed prizes, I did not spot it in a quick skimming.

I have long felt that US Chess should have more procedures for defining the qualifications of organizers, something FIDE does better than we do. FIDE also considers the organizer to be a person, not an organization such as an affiliate.

[relyea]

I think the TD is to determine prizes and the organizer is to award them. I know SwissSys will calculate prizes, but GIGO. Not sure about WinTD.

Alex Relyea

[jwiewel]

@relyea

I think the TD is to determine prizes and the organizer is to award them. I know SwissSys will calculate prizes, but GIGO. Not sure about WinTD.

Alex Relyea

WinTD will also do calculations from a prize-list spreadsheet (remember to update scores and standings first).

I think both have issues with prize-limited players.

[wilecoyote]

@relyea

I think the TD is to determine prizes and the organizer is to award them. I know SwissSys will calculate prizes, but GIGO. Not sure about WinTD.

Alex Relyea

I agree fully that it is the chief tournament director’s responsibility to determine the prize distribution. It is the organizer’s (affiliate’s) responsibility to pay the prizes as determined by the chief TD. Determining the distribution of prize money is an application of US Chess rules, and the chief tournament director (not the organizer) is ultimately responsible for the application of US Chess rules during the tournament. Actually paying the prize money is a financial responsibility. All financial obligations are strictly the responsibility of the organizer.

[nolan]

That leaves open the question posed (more or less) at the top of this thread. Suppose the prizes are computed incorrectly. The organizer pays what the TD says to pay, then it is discovered that the TD made an error. Who’s on the hook?

[DENTONCHESS]

@nolan

That leaves open the question posed (more or less) at the top of this thread. Suppose the prizes are computed incorrectly. The organizer pays what the TD says to pay, then it is discovered that the TD made an error. Who’s on the hook?

Without question, the organizer. Now, naturally, there will be a “fallback” on the TD.

Rob Jones

[BIRDSNAN]

@Smythe Dakota

If the missed questions were the prize distribution questions, then everyone should be forgiven and every answer choice should be regarded as correct, because the prize distribution algorithms are incredibly stupid anyway, and have been for at least 40 years. Usually just about any reasonably creative answer has a good chance of being better than the “correct” answer.

Bill Smythe

Asking about prize distribution makes sense. The most important event that a Senior TD have large prizes.
Prizes should be split Unless a ceiling exits akin to CCA. Which are announced beforehand.

The above aside, I hope the senior testing is allowing the tested the ability to demonstrate knowledge to apply the rules
when the situation has no clear answer.

I develop testing for my organization journeyman/senior positions. The “senior” positions are supervising the journeyman. They have already demonstrated journeyman’s
ability. The senior is the trainer, and he needs to know how
to apply and tailor rules when outside the box