There are several ways that a machine in an OTB event can keep score. 1. Top boards may use a touch sensitive board and set to transmit the game to the web which can keep the game score. 2. One or more games as in the USAT playoffs may use the Internet for the playoffs. Because there is a TD at both sites this has been OTB rated in the past. This can be either totally electronic as in playing a game on ICC or involve the use of physical board and set with the moves then transmitted as made. Finally I’ve had two players - not the same game - ask if they could use an electronic device to record their moves.
Ignoring potential cheating questions, what should our rules say for perhaps the first and second instances? If a board is keeping score, should this relieve the players the obligation to keep score?
Issue 3 is so involved with cheating concerns that I hesitate to raise the question. I ruled no for both requests. Cheating is not the only concern. The opponents concern is a real problem even if no cheating is taking place. How does the TD both convince the oppenent that he can detect cheating and be sure that he really can detect a method of cheating. The screens are so small that neither opponent nor the older TD such as myself can see what is going on while the game is in progress.
I lean towards no right now, in part for historical reasons and also to keep the current feel of a chess tournament. I like the idea of the players writing down the score, move by move. I also have concerns about an electronic failure losing the score. What do you think and when should our rules consider this issue?
Regards, Ernie
I think we should all be forward-looking on the question of electronic scorekeeping.
I look forward to the day when OTB games can be played electronically, rather than on physical chessboards.
Each player would have a computer screen facing him, and a mouse. The two players would still face each other, with their two screens between them.
Players would move via mouse, just as on the internet. The touch-move rule would be replaced by the internet version – once you have released the mouse-piece on its new square, your move is determined and completed. The opponent’s clock would then start automatically.
Of course, the equipment would keep score, and print out copies of the score after the game for the players and organizers.
The equipment could even rule on draw claims by triple occurrence or the 50-move rule.
For the time being, I suppose, there would have to be a rule allowing the use of electronic chessboards only if both players agree, or if one player wants it and the other does not furnish a traditional chess set. Several years from now, if the concept becomes popular, this rule could be re-evaluated.
I like this form of electronic chess-playing better than the sensory board, which seems to be at best an awkward and unreliable technology.
I just ran an unrated tournament at the first meeting of my chess club to seed our ladder board and we did it all electronically!
It was a 4SS G/15 where each of my students had his own PC running Linux and eboard. eboard is a peer-to-peer chess client that obviates the need for a server inbetween (such as FICS or USCHESSLIVE).
I paired the games each round, telling white who his opponent would be. Then the White player would enter the opponent’s IP address on our LAN (written on each PC) and off they went! It was a beautiful thing to behold.
It should be “NO”. If the person does have some way to record the game ‘with some equipment’, then there could also have other modes other then recording the game. The recording of the game could be on something like a ‘cell phone’ but not a true ‘cell phone’. It could be something like a two-way, unknowed what could be on the other side.
I agree. Remember all the fuss about digital clocks? Now they’re the preferred method.
When all the old timers are gone, then all the technology will be around. Yea, I enjoy the feel of a wood set with an analog clock, but techology has taken over this game.
Look at computers as a training tool, it’s a totally different game than it was 10 years ago.
Actually, I consider myself an old timer (joined USCF in 1968, when I was already a grad student). Yet, I quickly accepted (and embraced) the digital clock technology, and see myself doing the same with electronic chessboards.
That would be great Terry! If you can have that done, would you also upload a spell and grammer check for me. Would not mind having the body like “DATA on STARTREK”, but that is the only true electronize man with a mind.
do we have speak-move yet? If not we should, then the players wouldn’t have to be bothered with pushing the pieces. Of course, some modifications would have to be made for the deaf and mute. Maybe electrodes hooked to the brain to read and respond to thoughts. Also, we could eliminate the need for the TDCC by automating tournament directors. How would that work, though? A player would still have to be burdoned by pushing a button somewhere!
"That would be great, Terry! If you can get that done, would you mind also uploading a spelling and grammar checker for me, please? I wouldn’t mind having a body like “DATA” on STARTREK, as he is the only true “electronized"i[/i] man with a mind”.
