The makings of a good arbiter

[Louise Sinclair]

Years ago I used to play in the Metropolitan Chess Congress. This was managed by Eric Croker a highly respected arbiter. Eric was so considerate he wore slippers to avoid distracting a player.
Gary runs the North Circular Chess Annual Blitz. This is an evening event which attracts a good level of entry. However the players inevitably make quite a noise which can be distracting for others who haven't finished their games.
How does an arbiter effectively control the noise without giving himself a sore throat during the process.
Any suggestions?
Louise

[Sean Hewitt]

How does an arbiter effectively control the noise without giving himself a sore throat during the process.
Any suggestions?
Louise

Introduce zero default times. There would be so few players left playing that noise would not be an issue

[IanDavis]

Walk around with a clipboard, carrying an important look.
Stop at the table of any noisy oiks. Offer a stern look. Write something studiously on the clipboard.

[John Saunders]

Walk around with a clipboard, carrying an important look.
Stop at the table of any noisy oiks. Offer a stern look. Write something studiously on the clipboard.

Excellent idea. I can visualise the late, great Richard Furness doing just that.

In one sense Richard was atypical. He lacked gravitas - but only in the original, literal Latin meaning of that word. Arbiters should be like Terry Pratchett's Discworld wizards and eat lots of big dinners.

[Louise Sinclair]

Walk around with a clipboard, carrying an important look.
Stop at the table of any noisy oiks. Offer a stern look. Write something studiously on the clipboard.

Hmm what happens if the players are busy throwing their pieces around in a blitz finish and don't glance up to receive the stern look?
Louise

[Ian Thompson]

How does an arbiter effectively control the noise without giving himself a sore throat during the process.
Any suggestions?
Louise

Adopt the Norwegian approach (or at least the approach of the arbiter of all 3 Norwegian tournaments I've played in). Walk around with red and yellow cards in your pocket and show them when necessary.

Before you ask, I never saw him actually use the cards.

[IanDavis]

Walk around with a clipboard, carrying an important look.
Stop at the table of any noisy oiks. Offer a stern look. Write something studiously on the clipboard.

Hmm what happens if the players are busy throwing their pieces around in a blitz finish and don't glance up to receive the stern look?
Louise

That's why you've got a clipboard in the first place, silly!
(Although, I expect that element is outlawed by outrageous nanny state legislation)

[David Sedgwick]

Gary runs the North Circular Chess Annual Blitz. This is an evening event which attracts a good level of entry. However the players inevitably make quite a noise which can be distracting for others who haven't finished their games.

This can be a real problem with Rapidplay and Blitz events. I always try to make an appeal at the start, which I repeat at the beginning of each round if necessary.

However, it's not always as much of a problem as one might think. When players only have a minute or so each left on the clock, they're concentrating so hard that they may well not notice the noise which is driving the arbiter to distraction.

[Louise Sinclair]

Walk around with a clipboard, carrying an important look.
Stop at the table of any noisy oiks. Offer a stern look. Write something studiously on the clipboard.

Hmm what happens if the players are busy throwing their pieces around in a blitz finish and don't glance up to receive the stern look?
Louise

That's why you've got a clipboard in the first place, silly!
(Although, I expect that element is outlawed by outrageous nanny state legislation)

Ian
What action should be employed with the clipboard
Louise

[IanDavis]

Ian
What action should be employed with the clipboard
Louise

Having checked the forum guidelines carefully, It seems I am not allowed to verbalise this.

[Ben Purton]

Most of the best arbiters are at the 4NCL, sadly 3 of the best ones have passed away recently. The 2 best of the 3 at rules etc were Richard and John. But the one who was by far the best at "controlling" my team in probably their most "manic" time was Steve Boniface.

Its quite sad when you think back to 4NCL just 5 years ago.
Ben

[Gary Cook]

The biggest problem is not when they are concentrating on the game as afterwards when they are busy analysing. Unfortunately it is not a large room so the noise travels.
I do like the Norwegian idea!

Gary

[John Ariss]

Steve Boniface was the person who convinced me to be an arbiter,he was certainly the best I have ever encountered.He once said to me " there is one thing an arbiter needs above ANYTHING else - common sense!".
He also said" be pro-active, don't wait for someone to give you a problem - get there first."
Sound advice from the best in the business.

[Louise Sinclair]

Eric Croker was the finest arbiter I ever met. I never encountered Steve Bonniface.
Louise

[Ljubica Lazarevic]

Steve was a legend, and he is sorely missed