Search found 1910 matches

by Roger Lancaster
Tue Mar 26, 2024 7:44 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Is This Arbiter's Interpretation of the Laws Correct?
Replies: 15
Views: 1236

Re: Is This Arbiter's Interpretation of the Laws Correct?

It doesn't matter when the flag actually falls. It is only deemed to have fallen when a valid claim has been made to that effect. So if you had not claimed, then a draw is the correct outcome. Am I not right in thinking it's " when the arbiter observes the fact or when either player has made a vali...
by Roger Lancaster
Tue Mar 26, 2024 3:11 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Is This Arbiter's Interpretation of the Laws Correct?
Replies: 15
Views: 1236

Re: Is This Arbiter's Interpretation of the Laws Correct?

This is a somewhat different question but it's probably not worth a thread of its own so I'll lump it into this one. I was playing in a league match last night where my opponent had been comfortably winning but we both ran short of time - each down to around 30 seconds plus 10-second increments - at...
by Roger Lancaster
Thu Mar 21, 2024 6:32 pm
Forum: Deaths & Obituaries
Topic: Lisa Lane
Replies: 5
Views: 513

Re: Lisa Lane

On this side of the pond, Lisa made the headlines when she withdrew from the 1961-62 Hastings Congress, declaring she was in love.
by Roger Lancaster
Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:27 pm
Forum: 4NCL
Topic: 4NCL Time control
Replies: 14
Views: 1199

Re: 4NCL Time control

It's a fair subject to raise but, leaving aside the question of players who have to fly in, surely most of the 'domestic' teams have one or two players with their own transport who might give teammates a lift in return for chipping in towards the petrol cost? As to "only the most rich and elite play...
by Roger Lancaster
Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:47 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The going rate
Replies: 2
Views: 492

Re: The going rate

Probably worthwhile adding that, to some extent, you get what you pay for. An event with decent prizes and a good (ample space, adequate lighting and heating, analysis room, etc) and easily accessible venue is likely to charge more than an event with lesser prizes and a sub-par but cheaper venue. Si...
by Roger Lancaster
Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:57 pm
Forum: Chess History
Topic: Bletchley Park female codebreakers
Replies: 11
Views: 1425

Re: Bletchley Park female codebreakers

Passing over Bletchley Park for a moment, another Linkedin posting reads "When I was a Director of the British Chess Federation, the extent of date rape drugs for sex by English arbiters was heavily covered up". Anyone care to elucidate?
by Roger Lancaster
Sun Mar 17, 2024 2:32 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Clock Bangers
Replies: 61
Views: 5588

Re: Clock Bangers

I could be wrong, and if so I'm sure one of our expert arbiters will correct me, Recently I have been informed by the ECF that they wish to elevate my arbiter status to Level 2. I'm not sure if that constitutes being one of Michael Gove's experts (of which there are too many according to the Levell...
by Roger Lancaster
Sun Mar 17, 2024 6:59 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Clock Bangers
Replies: 61
Views: 5588

Re: Clock Bangers

I could be wrong, ..., but I don't think that "pressing the timer without making an actual move" constitutes an illegal move. You are! It is an illegal move. See 7.5.3 and 7.5.5 in the Laws of Chess Can you tell I've just done the first FIDE IA Seminar? I stand corrected. Am I right in believing th...
by Roger Lancaster
Sun Mar 17, 2024 12:21 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Clock Bangers
Replies: 61
Views: 5588

Re: Clock Bangers

I was in a tournament once, where the player opposite me punched his clock before moving his piece. I mentioned the incident to the captain, only to be told, get on with the game and stop moaning. You would be well within your rights to claim an illegal move penalty since pressing the timer without...
by Roger Lancaster
Sun Mar 17, 2024 12:15 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Counties and clubs
Replies: 55
Views: 5019

Re: Counties and clubs

John Upham wrote:
Tue Mar 12, 2024 10:57 pm
Roger Lancaster wrote:
Tue Mar 12, 2024 3:40 pm
don't even talk to me about Bishop's Stortford!
I'm curious to know your thoughts regarding Bishop's Stortford Roger.
It's very convenient if flying, John, being close to Stansted Airport.
by Roger Lancaster
Tue Mar 12, 2024 3:40 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Counties and clubs
Replies: 55
Views: 5019

Re: Counties and clubs

Watford has long played in the Hertfordshire League despite being in the south-west corner of the county, making cross-county journeys anything up to 40 miles, frequently (think rush-hour M25!) in busy traffic. With a 7.45 start, that typically works out at a 10.30 finish or thereabouts. On occasio...
by Roger Lancaster
Tue Mar 12, 2024 10:10 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Counties and clubs
Replies: 55
Views: 5019

Re: Counties and clubs

Watford has long played in the Hertfordshire League despite being in the south-west corner of the county, making cross-county journeys anything up to 40 miles, frequently (think rush-hour M25!) in busy traffic. With a 7.45 start, that typically works out at a 10.30 finish or thereabouts. On occasion...
by Roger Lancaster
Fri Mar 08, 2024 9:01 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Cheating in chess
Replies: 3035
Views: 346857

Re: Cheating in chess

The point has been made before, so I'll keep the post brief. If someone is a sophisticated online cheat (meaning that they get outside assistance only, say, two or three times in a game) then it's virtually impossible to determine this with anything approaching near-certainty because there's the alt...
by Roger Lancaster
Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:38 am
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF Membership Reform
Replies: 150
Views: 16334

Re: ECF Membership Reform

Polite note to Roger Lancaster: David Lettington used the word "bargain". In reply to his contribution, you said: "Entirely agree". I searched my comments for the use of the word "bargain" attributed to me and didn't find it. While I accept the point made here by Mr Townsend, I continued by observi...
by Roger Lancaster
Wed Mar 06, 2024 5:51 pm
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF Membership Reform
Replies: 150
Views: 16334

Re: ECF Membership Reform

Mr Valentine, The "diversion" arose because Messrs. Lettington and Lancaster spoke above about the £18 being a "bargain", and it is normal on the forum for views expressed to be challenged, if need be. What I said, as Mr Townsend knows or should know if he cared to read my comment, was that £18 mig...