There have been several long threads discussing clarifications/changes to the Blitz rules. Since the list is quite long, I will summarize the more important ones here and the less important ones in another thread:
Blitz rule 3 states “Before play begins, both players should inspect the position of the pieces and the setting on the clock, since once each side has completed a move, the position on the board and the time on the clock remain as set.” The current USCF scholastic Blitz rules has an addition to this rule that states “The only exception is if one or both players have more than five minutes on their clock (since the Blitz at national scholastic events are played at G/5;d0), then the tournament director (TD) may reduce the time accordingly.” Add to the main Blitz rules that a TD can reduce the time if a player has more base time than the players were suppose to start with (some clarification would be needed for games with increment) otherwise you could have ridiculous situations such as the clock being incorrectly set for 5 hours instead of 5 minutes and the 5 hours remaining if both players have completed one move.
Blitz rules 3a states “If the king and queen are set up incorrectly, it is legal to castle short on the queenside and long on the kingside.” Clarify if this applies only if both sides king and queen were set up incorrectly (and thus the starting position was still symmetrical). Also, maybe this should be added to the rules for regular and quick as well (assuming 10 moves have been made for both sides. Otherwise, the players are suppose to start a new game).
Blitz rule 7c states, in regards to having mating material to win on time, that “Mating material consists of (at a minimum) two minor pieces, a pawn, a rook or a queen provided it isn’t a position where one could claim it to be a draw under section 8.” Clarify whether K (with no pawns) vs K+N+N without a forced win is considered sufficient mating material as this is not considered sufficient mating material for regular and quick chess and the USCF scholastic Blitz rules mention K vs K+N+N is not considered sufficient mating material (but needs to add the “no pawns” and “without a forced win” clauses). I see no reason why this should be different in Blitz. Also, it isn’t clear what the statement “provided it isn’t a position where one could claim it to be a draw under section 8” is referring to.
Clarify whether a game can end in a draw by triple occurrence of position, the 50-move rule, insufficient material to continue, and the new director declares draw for lack of progress since there is confusion as to whether these exist in blitz since they are not mentioned in the blitz rules. If draws by triple occurrence of position and/or the 50-move rule are allowed and a player has five or more minutes on the clock, do they need a scoresheet to claim a draw? This same clarification is needed for quick chess.
The current Blitz rules include a TD Tip (and why exactly is it listed as a TD Tip and not a variation?) that you can allow insufficient losing chances claims if it is advertized and announced in advance. I think it would be good to add to the TD Tip what the standard rules are for “insufficient losing chances” (for tournaments that allow them) in regards to when a player can claim insufficient losing chances and the penalty if the claim is denied (is it still that player must have less than 1 minute and that if a claim is denied, one minute is subtracted, thus causing an automatic loss as in the 5th edition of the rulebook?)
Add K+B vs K+N to insufficient losing chances rule 1
The third insufficient losing chances rules starts out by stating "“K+rook pawn vs. K can be claimed a draw once the defender is on the rook file in front of the pawn”. Add wrong color bishop to this rule.
Eliminate the following insufficient losing chances rule: “K+P vs K can be claimed a draw once the defender is immediately on the square directly in front of the pawn as long as it’s not on the 7th rank.” Several people on this forum have said that even Class A players have misplayed this ending.
Clarify what completed and determined move means in Blitz as there has been disagreement among highly competent people on this forum as to what they mean in Blitz.
The last Blitz rule states “the decision of the tournament director is final”. Clarify if this means any TD or the Chief TD and if you can appeal to a special referee.
Regarding number 3 as listed, you overlooked that a player about to suffer a smothered mate (K+Q+N mating K+R+2P+others) can wait until the final second, play RXQ and call his own flag claiming that the opponent’s knight about to deliver the mate is not mating material and thus it is a draw.
Regarding #2 , given that the rules are actually clear, why is this an “important” change?
jwiewel:
Regarding number 3 as listed, you overlooked that a player about to suffer a smothered mate (K+Q+N mating K+R+2P+others) can wait until the final second, play RXQ and call his own flag claiming that the opponent’s knight about to deliver the mate is not mating material and thus it is a draw.
Good catch. Add that Bishop or Knight with a forced win is sufficient mating material.
I don’t think the rules are clear on this, especially the Blitz rule as stated.
3.) Before play begins, both players should inspect the position of the pieces and the setting of the clock, since once each side has completed a move the position on the board and the time on the clock remain as set.
Note, that’s the main body of 3. 3a is basically states an implication of 3 + the procedure for castling. There is nothing in either rule that depends upon where the opponent’s pieces started. Is there?
It can, however, be simplified to mention King alone rather than King and Queen (since you don’t castle with the Queen).
relyea
March 25, 2015, 6:28pm
6
wintdoan:
3.) Before play begins, both players should inspect the position of the pieces and the setting of the clock, since once each side has completed a move the position on the board and the time on the clock remain as set.
Note, that’s the main body of 3. 3a is basically states an implication of 3 + the procedure for castling. There is nothing in either rule that depends upon where the opponent’s pieces started. Is there?
It can, however, be simplified to mention King alone rather than King and Queen (since you don’t castle with the Queen).
Personally, I prefer the FIDE rule. People shouldn’t be rewarded for setting the board up incorrectly.
Alex Relyea
The FIDE rule is? (I assume from your comment it’s that you can’t castle if the King doesn’t start on the correct square).
Who would be willing to submt ADM’s on these?
There have been several long threads discussing clarifications/changes to the Blitz rules. Since the list is quite long, I will summarize the more important ones here and the less important ones in another thread:
Blitz rule 3 states “Before play begins, both players should inspect the position of the pieces and the setting on the clock, since once each side has completed a move, the position on the board and the time on the clock remain as set.” The current USCF scholastic Blitz rules has an addition to this rule that states “The only exception is if one or both players have more than five minutes on their clock (since the Blitz at national scholastic events are played at G/5;d0), then the tournament director (TD) may reduce the time accordingly.” Add to the main Blitz rules that a TD can reduce the time if a player has more base time than the players were suppose to start with (some clarification would be needed for games with increment) otherwise you could have ridiculous situations such as the clock being incorrectly set for 5 hours instead of 5 minutes and the 5 hours remaining if both players have completed one move.
Unnecessary. USCF Rule 1A. Scope gives the TD the right and responsibility to make fair, obvious, common sense rulings.
Blitz rules 3a states “If the king and queen are set up incorrectly, it is legal to castle short on the queenside and long on the kingside.” Clarify if this applies only if both sides king and queen were set up incorrectly (and thus the starting position was still symmetrical). Also, maybe this should be added to the rules for regular and quick as well (assuming 10 moves have been made for both sides. Otherwise, the players are suppose to start a new game).
Unnecessary. Most directors should, I believe, understand this rule without a clarification. The answer is that the rule applies whether the position is symmetrical or not.
Blitz rule 7c states, in regards to having mating material to win on time, that “Mating material consists of (at a minimum) two minor pieces, a pawn, a rook or a queen provided it isn’t a position where one could claim it to be a draw under section 8.” Clarify whether K (with no pawns) vs K+N+N without a forced win is considered sufficient mating material as this is not considered sufficient mating material for regular and quick chess and the USCF scholastic Blitz rules mention K vs K+N+N is not considered sufficient mating material (but needs to add the “no pawns” and “without a forced win” clauses). I see no reason why this should be different in Blitz. Also, it isn’t clear what the statement “provided it isn’t a position where one could claim it to be a draw under section 8” is referring to…
It isn’t different in Blitz than it is in regular. Do we also need to clarify that en passant is available in Blitz?
Clarify whether a game can end in a draw by triple occurrence of position, the 50-move rule, insufficient material to continue, and the new director declares draw for lack of progress since there is confusion as to whether these exist in blitz since they are not mentioned in the blitz rules. If draws by triple occurrence of position and/or the 50-move rule are allowed and a player has five or more minutes on the clock, do they need a scoresheet to claim a draw? This same clarification is needed for quick chess. .
Absent the prohibition of a regular time control rule, there should be no confusion as to whether or not it applies to Blitz. If it’s proscribed for regular chess, and NOT prohibited by Blitz rules, then it is in effect. .
It should be obvious to the TD that any draw that requires a scoresheet, is not available in Blitz.
The current Blitz rules include a TD Tip (and why exactly is it listed as a TD Tip and not a variation?) that you can allow insufficient losing chances claims if it is advertized and announced in advance. I think it would be good to add to the TD Tip what the standard rules are for “insufficient losing chances” (for tournaments that allow them) in regards to when a player can claim insufficient losing chances and the penalty if the claim is denied (is it still that player must have less than 1 minute and that if a claim is denied, one minute is subtracted, thus causing an automatic loss as in the 5th edition of the rulebook?).
Is this not addressed under 14H and 14I? Also, TD Tips are not rules.
Add K+B vs K+N to insufficient losing chances rule 1
The third insufficient losing chances rules starts out by stating "“K+rook pawn vs. K can be claimed a draw once the defender is on the rook file in front of the pawn”. Add wrong color bishop to this rule.
Eliminate the following insufficient losing chances rule: “K+P vs K can be claimed a draw once the defender is immediately on the square directly in front of the pawn as long as it’s not on the 7th rank.” Several people on this forum have said that even Class A players have misplayed this ending.
I would disagree with this being eliminated.
Clarify what completed and determined move means in Blitz as there has been disagreement among highly competent people on this forum as to what they mean in Blitz. .
The last Blitz rule states “the decision of the tournament director is final”. Clarify if this means any TD or the Chief TD and if you can appeal to a special referee.
Really?? I wouldn’t think it wise to challenge the person who hires you too much.
I don’t think it’s unnecessary. The people who put together the scholastic blitz rules didn’t think it was unnecessary either.
I disagree and think clarifying this would be better.
But the current wording of the Blitz rule makes it different. It says “Mating material consists of (at a minimum) two minor pieces, a pawn, a rook or a queen”. This would mean 2 knights would be sufficient mating material to win on time in Blitz.
Clarify whether a game can end in a draw by triple occurrence of position, the 50-move rule, insufficient material to continue, and the new director declares draw for lack of progress since there is confusion as to whether these exist in blitz since they are not mentioned in the blitz rules. If draws by triple occurrence of position and/or the 50-move rule are allowed and a player has five or more minutes on the clock, do they need a scoresheet to claim a draw? This same clarification is needed for quick chess. .
Absent the prohibition of a regular time control rule, there should be no confusion as to whether or not it applies to Blitz. If it’s proscribed for regular chess, and NOT prohibited by Blitz rules, then it is in effect. .
But you don’t need a scoresheet to claim a draw by triple occurrence of position and the 50-move rule in regular chess in sudden death time pressure.
Historically, when you can claim insufficient losing chances in Blitz and the penalty if the claim is denied has been different in regular and blitz. This is why this should be clarified in the Blitz rules. Also, I know TD Tips are not rules and that’s exactly why I’m suggesting changing this from a TD Tip to a variation.
Despite competent people on this forum saying it should be eliminated since A players have misplayed this ending?
So who is willing to sponsor ADM’s on these?
You do realize that basically none of these are in the proper form for a proposed rule change.
Micah,
Check out the other ADMs that have been posted, and follow those ideas to make a proper ADM suggestion.
Tom, should he break them into separate ADMs since there’s so many?
Micah,
Check out the other ADMs that have been posted, and follow those ideas to make a proper ADM suggestion.
Tom, should he break them into separate ADMs since there’s so many?
I’m not a delegate, but given that #1 seems pointless, #2 has been debunked, #5 is a TD tip, not a rule, etc. submitting them en banque would make it nearly impossible to find a delegate willing to sponsor them, even if they are constructed properly.
To me, the only one that I would like to see is the ability to claim a draw by triple occurrence as is permitted in the last five minutes of SD under the main rules. There’s clearly a very strong disagreement among TD’s whether that is permitted or not as the rules stand.
Looking through Micah’s suggestions and deciding whether to submit any of them as ADMs is on my list of things to do, but if another delegate with more free time than I have does it first that’s fine with me.
I’ve always thought of Blitz tournaments being ran with SD last five minutes rules, at least that’s what I’ve always used. The last 5 in SD would cover not having a scoresheet, and instead having a director or deputy watch the game, as in 14C8. What are the disagreements?
In your opinion
So? Anyway, it should be a variation and not a TD tip.
I appreciate this a lot Bob
That your take on #2 is completely wrong seems universal. While delegates have submitted ADM’s on behalf of someone who is not a delegate, usually they don’t submit them if they don’t at least have some belief in them. And an ADM that has no one willing to argue for it get tabled really quickly. You’ll be much more successful in finding a possible sponsor if you do a better job of excising the ones that have seen little (if any) support.