English Chess Forum

I wish to invite discussion on the role of the team captain in local leagues where there is no arbiter present, in particular relating to a couple of scenarios that have arisen recently; Scenario 1 : Player A delivered checkmate with a Queen move and the game was concluded, with player B accepting t...

Hi all, apologies if this has already been covered, but is there any way of viewing the ECF Events Diary in a map view? i.e. I'd be more interested in events happening in my general area (perhaps within 100 miles, given the current cost of fuel), rather than during the month of Jul/August etc. Regar...

I had a severe test of my poker face when playing an internal club handicap tournament with 2 minutes v 28 minutes and blundering to leave mate in 2 on. After squirming in my seat for what seemed like an eternity he played a different move and I was able to escape. Yes, I remember that well Lawrenc...

Sorry to hear this sad news. I played (and lost) against Stan in the 2005 combined chess championship and remember him as a very pleasant person. RIP.

Does anyone have any experience of online chess supplier 'Chess Baron'? I've seen a rather nice looking chess set: http://www.chessbaron.co.uk/chess-X2006.htm , but have never heard of the supplier before. I 'Google mapped' the address on their contact details page, which appears to be someone's hou...

Although forced, surely this can only be classed as a 'theoretical' draw given the scenario; Where white has just played Bxd2 (presumably then stopping his clock) and Black's flag (then) falls, then... 1. White may claim the win due to Black's flag fall, regardless of the position on the board (unle...

I had a new chess book delivered to my workplace today, which a colleague showed some interest in and couldn't believe that an entire book was dedicated to just a single opening. He proceeded to ask me the following question: "How many different chess books are there then?" Well, taking into conside...

In evening league chess matches (no arbiters present), I have recently had two occasions to request that my opponent keep their score sheet up to date (each time with more than 5 minutes remaining). I never mentioned it straight away, but during the game after 2-3 moves without a move being recorded...

Bob Clark wrote: Is that right?
Are the captains not acting as arbiters in this situation?

Difficult when the team captains are also playing in the match.

...First, the captains allowed play to continue after the claim, with the position shown being as reached on black's flagfall. The position at the time of the claim is not known, though it is believed by all parties that the claim was properly made. Apologies to all for the slight error on position...

Alex Holowczak wrote: Out of interest, in which leagues were these claims made?

Alex, one was North Staffs and one was Cannock District.

OK, the actual rulings were: Game 1 - Claim upheld : Draw. Assuming a D.1a claim, I find this rather surprising, as it is surely still possible for either side to win. Game 2 - White had 1:18 remaining on the clock at the time of the claim (illegal claim - not his move!). Black had 8:07 remaining. A...

Alex McFarlane wrote:Ken,

You haven't said whether the claim was made under (a) or (b).

Do you have to declare which sub-rule you are claiming under, or do they exist more to help the arbiters?

I have recently seen two local league games where there where D.1 claims (no arbiter present). No decision could be reached on the night, so they were both sent for independent arbitration. I wonder what peoples thoughts are as to the merit of each claim / opinions on what the rulings were. One clai...

Simon Ansell wrote:The only time I've refused to shake hands with my opponent after a game...

Simon, I'm always wary of shaking someones hand after they have excused themselves from the board stating that they are "nipping to the loo", then make it back to the board in suspiciously quick time!