O.k. I am reading the rule book and I am a little confused. I do not want to say anything negative about any religion, but exactly what reasons would one have not to use a clock or take notation? It would be a good idea to have an idea what kinds of things can come up before they happen.
In addition what responsability does the TD have to ensure that something is an actuall religious belief and not simply made up hopeing for the Td to be unfamiliar with that particular religion?
Some religions do not allow such activities on their Sabbath. For example some Orthodox Jews may not do those activities from Sundown Friday to Sundown Saturday.
Neal: I think that this is a topic that has many mines, so it would be best to ask these questions in person to a Local or Senior TD, or in a private message to say Tim Just, or any of the Senior TDs who posts here regularly. I would not want to offend anyone, or make it uncomfortable for members who might be uncomfortable discussing their religion.
As long as it is done with respect for the individuals and their religious beliefs, I don’t see any problems discussing how those beliefs affect players at chess tournaments.
When I was in college, a non-Jewish friend had the job of turning on and off the lights at the Jewish Student Center on campus on Friday evenings, since that’s considered ‘work’ and Orthodox Jews aren’t supposed to do any work on the Sabbath.
Starting or stopping a mechanical or digital clock is also considered a form of work, as is writing.
Some people interpret the rules of their religion differently than others. GM Reshevsky, for example, wouldn’t play chess on the Sabbath at all.
The religious concern about writing moves/pressing the clock happens seldom. When it does the TD TIP on page 56 as well as the material in 15A1 on page 55 pretty much cover the topic (time reduction, a helper, no ability to make claims, …). If any of that material does not do the trick for a TD then appropriate byes often work just fine.
Players in this situation are well advised to inform the TD long before it becomes an issue (at the time of registration would be appropriate). TDs that get informed about religious issues moments before the round is about to start have a much harder time accommodating such concerns.
Of course the TD has to use their judgment in determining the legitimacy of the player’s religious concerns. In my experience a legitimate request comes only for the round(s) that fall at certain times (usually the Sabbath), not for the entire tournament.
Sooner or later somebody will claim that his religion does not allow playing against any opponent who opens 1. e4. I would not hesitate to boot such a player out of the tournament. And I refuse to worry about the possibility of this post offending somebody who follows that “religion”.
Bill Smythe
I’ve discovered that there are some players with sabbath restrictions who can not keep score, can not use a digital clock, but can use a mechanical clock. The players in this category also cannot push elevator buttons or use the credit card type key to enter their room.
I was involved in a situation where the PWSR wanted to use a mechanical clock, but the other, who had Black, demanded to use his digital delay clock. When asked, I agreed to punch the clock for the PWSR and discovered
The player with Black later told me he felt like he was against 2 opponents.
Regards, Ernie
Ernie - calls to mind the adage no good deed goes unpunished.
In some 40 large scholastic events most of the few religious issues I have encountered have been with Orthodox Jews. In each case they made the situation known well ahead of time and we worked out a solution. Only other time was a Christian attending services before a Sunday morning round and he just told us he would be there b efore his time ran out and to tell his opponent he was coming. We did and he did.
I have had Muslims, Sihks, Hindus, Mormons, Jews of all 3 denominations, atheists, Christians of various denominations and at least a couple of Zoarastrians. Mostly just a non-issue.
A few years ago at the National Chess Congress, GM Yudasin was getting his normal conditions for playing on the sabbath (not keeping score and not using an electronic clock). Someone came and made a claim that they should not have to use a time delay clock because under their faith, 7th Day Adventist I think it was, it was against the laws of God to delay or stop time. I think we allowed it for one round, then came to the conclusion that this was absurd since time was not being delayed and denied the claim based on this wording after that. He didn’t complain, thank God 
OK, but whose God do you thank?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t a player need to “stop time” every time a move is made?
Entropy. It’s not just a good idea. It’s the law.
The three laws of thermodynamics for the rest of us:
Major philosophies are predicated on breaking one of those three.
Capitalism says you can win.
Socialism says you can break even.
Mysticism says you can quit the game.
That’s beautiful! Is that an original observation?
Jim
I’m sure it was original at one time. I just don’t remember who originated it. I first ran across it in one of the books on Murphy’s laws and it was not original with that book.
I think the Eagles said it best:
“You can check out any time you like, but you never leave”.