Are there specific USCF and/or FIDE rules that prohibit the use of a laptop computer during rated chess games?
A situation recently occurred at our club, where a player wanted to use a laptop to record his moves by entering them into a playing program whose analysis engine had been disabled.
Please cite specific rules if possible.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Angelo DePalma
I don’t have my rulebook on me, but that is prohibited. A laptop is not an approved scoresheet. There are only two approved electronic scoresheets at this time and that is the monroi and DGT board if I’m not mistaken.
Someone will give the exact rules in a moment, I presume and probably some more rules to help out.
I’d sure have a lot of trust problems with someone demanding to use a laptop to record moves in an over-the-board game, no matter what the rules are. That would be ludicrous in my mind.
I'm not up on the latest electronic ways of scroing game, but I've got problems with that too. How do i know these things cant be manipulated to show diagrams. Doesnt have to be a chess brain in them, a simple manipulation of a couple of what'if moves would be enough to gain an advantage.
If a player uses a laptop to record the moves, the opponent retains the right to have Kamsky keep score for him also. The rule (variation) allows the move to be recorded on the scoresheet first, before it’s made on the board-- except if it’s an electronic scoreekeeping device.
I know that we’ve discussed this in many different ways before.
But what do people think the main reason is that people want this option?
Is it simple lazyiness that they don’t want to reenter their game into the computer later? Do they wan’t it like online where they magically have a record of the games that play? Where they don’t actually have to look at them individually but maybe will commit to some database someday and realize that when they hang a knight in the first ten moves that they tend to lose?
It would be nice if someone were able to write a program and or design a score sheet that could be scanned into a computer and then OCRed into a pgn file. Maybe that ability already exists. One just has to learn to print neatly.
Thank you for your input.
Is there a specific rule that covers, either implicitly or explicitly, the use of computers as I described it? This is a very important point. I would not permit ChessMaster 3000 on a Dell Inspiron in any tournament I directed. The TDs I’ve spoken with agree.
But is there a rule???
main.uschess.org/content/view/7594/28/
"Chapter 4: Equipment Standards
43: Scoresheets: A scoresheet is any piece of paper, electronic, or mechanical recording device that allows a player to comply with rule 15A. Electronic scoresheets are subject to certification guidelines as published by the USCF. An electronic scoresheet not so certified is not considered standard and may only be used at the discretion of the tournament director."
and a list of approved electronic scoresheets is at:
uschess.org/ratings/electronicscoresheet.pdf
Tom,
Thanks.
What was the document you sent me? Where can I find the rule/ruling (pardon me if I do not understand the lingo)? And what are your credentials to rule on this subject?
This issue is tearing our club to shreds. I need someone with authority to respond, to reply with a validatable answer that I can point to the next time this happens, or God forbid if this guy comes back some night.
Sincerely,
Angelo DePalma
Would you believe a Senior Tournament Director with 17 years experience?
The quote was from the link:
main.uschess.org/content/view/7594/28/
If you go to that page you will see that it is the official USCF compilation of rulebook changes to the 5th edition rulebook.
You can also find this information on the USCF homepage:
main.uschess.org/index.php
Click on “New to Chess” along the left side. You can then access this through “Rulebook changes since the 5th edition”.
It may be found on line from the USChess home page by:
In the left hand column on the page
<New to Chess?>
<Rulebook Changes Since the 5th Edition>
Scroll down to chapter 4 on equipment standards.
Even this document is out of date since many other changes have been added since that time (August 2007). A complete compilation has been submitted to the Webmaster and should be posted shortly (or so he tells me).
If anyone can “light a fire” to get this up on line, please help!
In addition, A new rule is being implemented, and is posted on the USCF Issues page, and has been added to the submitted document.
This is “hot off the press” and was just completed in the last couple of days.
For full details go to the USCF Issues Forum, or wait for the new rules to be published on line.
Dave is correct, and he is the chair of the Rules Committee.
Tim Just, editor 5th edition USCF Official Rules Of Chess.
A thousand thanks, gentlemen. This did the trick.
Angelo
Personally I think computers in a tournament are rediculous anyway. If I want to play a computer I can do that at home, I don’t need to go to a tournament and pay money for that. I go to a tournament to meet new people and test my skill against them face to face. To learn from stronger players and show anyone who is new what little wisdom I have gained in my time as a player. To play a computer in a tournament or use one for notation is an abomination.
I think you’ve misread the point of this thread, it isn’t about computers as opponents in tournaments.
Back to the original post, if the person brought a DGT electronic chessboard and had it connected to a laptop, it would still be an approved scoresheet and the TD would have to allow it unless pre-tournament publicity specifically excluded it. I would recommend that the TD close the lid of laptop as that does not prohibit the function of the scoresheet and it complies with the rule:
“The scoresheet will not provide information.” IMHO, that includes a diagram of the current position in the owner’s orientation, or flipped.
The laptop would have to remain passive throughout the game and the TD should be able to examine it at any time.
I’m not so sure the current rules allow you to use a DGT board WITH your laptop.
I agree that you can use your DGT board according to the current rules but maybe clarification should be sought as to what happens when it is connected to a computer that is NOT for display or transmittal purposes.
Seeing how the majority of DGT boards get their power via a USB port how do you propose to power the scoresheet if not with a laptop? A DGT board that is not powered is not an approved scoresheet because it would be non-functional.
The DGT board is an input device. No good without a prosseser and memory module like va computer.
I agree that for it to have functionality it needs to be hooked up to a computer. However, some cellphones/blackberrys have a USB charger that plugs straight into an outlet, as can the MonRoi, so a computer is not necessary for power.
Maybe the Rules Committee should rethink the DGT as an approved electronic scoresheet unless all functions are disabled on the computer it is hooked up to, just like the other approved devices?