If a fellow tournament director asked you the following question, how would you reply? I have my thoughts, but I’ll be curious as to what others say. Question from the other TD:
"In the XXXX tournament today, while Player B was playing Player C, Player B was talking to someone else about the finish of their game. He was not discussing his own game game as far as I know. Player C complained.
I don’t have the latest rule book. As far as I know this does not violate the USCF rules.
What was the nature of player C’s complaint? A player does have the right, under Rule 20G, to complain about distracting or annoying behavior by his opponent. Rule 20E also strictly prohibits the giving of advice, and any time a player is talking to someone other than his opponent or a TD during a game, there is always the possibility that the person could be giving him advice about the game he is playing, even if it doesn’t sound like that is what they are discussing, by using a prearranged code. Since there is no good reason why player B needs to have a conversation with someone while his own game is still in progress, I would be pretty generous in upholding a complaint made by player C on the basis of either rule. I’d give B a warning about his behavior, but wouldn’t impose any penalties against him unless it happened again.
On page 246 of the 6th edition of the Rulebook, it states under All Players Are Responsible:
“4. To refrain from analysis of games or audible talking in the tournament room while other are playing.”
Sometimes this is posted in the room as a rule of conduct for the players to follow but should not need to be. We all recognize that this is commonly broken by players and people chatter about all manner of things. It is the TD’s responsibility to make sure no talking is going on, not only because advice might be given, but also it is a general distraction to all of the players. Quiet rooms are an indication that the players respect the other players and the tournament director(s).
Thanks to Bob and TMG. I would appreciate other insights.
Bob, Player C is a somewhat new player and I’m not sure of the exact nature of his complaint (he may not be sure either), but I think it’s some combination of 20G, 20E, and 20M4. I read 20M4 to say that a spectator (including a player) should not “talk in a loud enough voice to be heard by a player with a game in progress.” I think 20M2 makes it clear that a player in a tournament is also a spectator.
Bob, I also agree that a warning is the appropriate first step (especially for a casual tournament) but if the warning is issued and Player’s B response is “I have the right to talk to others as long as we’re not talking about my game” I think the appropriate response is “you don’t have the right to talk with others if either of you has a game in progress or if you are in the playing hall. Once both of your games are over, you can then go to the skittles area and analyze.”
Well, my response would be to show him what the rulebook says. As we’ve seen, there are several rules that deal with this topic, and they all say essentially the same thing. Players find it really hard to argue with the rulebook because the rulebook never listens to what they say.
Was it in the playing hall disturbing other players or was it out in the corridor away from the room with games. Depending on the type of event casual discussions may take place (I’m thinking of some of the gossip that goes on at a small club or some of the politicking that goes on at the US Open).
A strict “no talking” policy can have adverse implications for some event while they may be reasonable for others.
Hearing this second hand but my understanding is that it was in the playing hall. This particular location is a library in which the skittles area/playing area do overlap. I agree that a strict “no talking” policy is often not feasible, and I do expect that this was small club gossip (apparently about another game). Neverthless, I think that once Player C makes the complaint it’s far to remind Player B that he shouldn’t be speaking/analyzing in the playing hall and should return to his game. In some ways I think it’s worse if it’s two players out in the corridor away from the other games since it would be easier to actually give advice about a game in progress in that situation.
20I. Discussion of games is one that could give players trouble. Though the prohibition regards ongoing games, it could be interpreted that discussion of analysis of any game by someone still playing could be a violation.
I get up a lot during my games and go outside for a smoke, and reflection. Often, others, who have finished join me. We chat freely about past tournament results, non-chess stuff, etc., but as soon as talk turns to how someone’s game ended, or someone asking about a certain position, I move away. It’s not a good idea to get in a discussion about anyone’s finished game while playing yourself.