Leaving Playing Area at start of round

[LaughingVulcan]

@rfeditor

@LaughingVulcan

Actually, the rule begins with the words, "During play..." So would you rule that play has begun once the clock has started, or after the first move has been made? I could see appeal grounds that play had not yet begun in that game in the round until the first move has at least been determined. (Though I'd also readily acknowledge that would be rules-lawyering.)

The round starts either at the scheduled time for round start, or at the moment when the TD says “start your clocks.” Saying that play begins only when the clock is started leads to absurd results and cannot be accepted. To give one example: If both players are late or no clock is available, the time should be split equally between the players when the clock starts. If play doesn’t start until the clock starts, how do you justify deducting time? Another example: One player is present with equipment, the other is not. If the player chooses not to start the clock after the scheduled start of the round, can he sit at the board studying an opening book? I don’t think so.

Actually, the point I was making is that a rules lawyer could object that play hasn’t begun until white has made a move. Regardless if a clock is running or not, or if the round has officially started or not.

Time is split if both players are missing because play hasn’t begun yet, and time is split if no clock is present because play has begun. If anything, it shows that round start, play beginning, and clock are three separate issues.

Though I can certainly agree with the idea that the start of round time is when play begins, regardless if a move has been made yet. So would I object such way, or support it? No.

In your second example (and in the case at hand,) I wouldn’t rely on 20b. I’d rather suggest it’s a violation of 20a, as it simply shows poor sportsmanship.

But either rule is made pretty moot if the TD simply allows the player to walk away after declaring they are off to study the other players’ games, without objection.