Sean Hewitt wrote:Roger de Coverly wrote:Didn't the FFE try to get the rule removed for the Euros? FIDE said no.
As I understand it, that's correct.
I think it was the European Chess Union which insisted on the rule, but the point stands.
Sean Hewitt wrote:Roger de Coverly wrote:
It helps if the arbiters aren't that keen on catching players. In Dresden and that Chinese event, it seemed as if the arbiters were determined to catch people, if only on a technicality. In Khanty, didn't they try to get a "ready to go" signal from each match?
The instructions to us were to be flexible in round 1, but strict thereafter. Consequently, we compiled a full list of instructions which we would announce at the start of round 1. In English and French (and Italian and Spanish if necessary) to ensure all players made it. Of course, the announcements were started at 3pm
As it happens, everyone was seated at the board at 2.57pm so no problems.
Yesterday, in my playing area (200 players) we were told to start on the dot at 3pm. So we put up large digital clocks on wide screens, and announced 5 mins to go, 4 mins etc. We started at exactly 3pm with all players present.
I'm fascinated by the practicalities of some of this.
You have a long list of instructions, which you have to read out in English and French whilst at the same time checking that everyone has turned up. Had there been any absentees, you were to proceed to read the instructions out in Italian and if necessary in Spanish. What would have happened if someone had still been missing - did you have German and Russian texts prepared just in case?
I imagine the sight of you working your way through these various scripts would have served to lift the tension to which Richard Bates alluded up thread.
At Guernsey there are about 100-120 players and I have a view of the room from a stage at one end. I would have difficulty in knowing for certain whether or not everyone is present at the start of play. However, you are apparently expected to determine this with double the number. Good eyesight is clearly a requirement for being an arbiter at an event of this kind.
How are things going to work if, later in the event, there are a couple of players missing in different parts of the hall? How can you default them both at once? I've had this problem even with a 30 minute default time, with a player getting away with turning up 30 minutes and 10 seconds late whilst I was defaulting someone else.
My assumption that it's just you in the area is, of course, a wilful misinterpretation on my part. I imagine that in fact you're part of a team of three or four, with a variety of language skills. All the same, my points stand to some extent. Is there any chance of getting some photographs of the hall at the start of play, so that we can see how it all works?
Anyway, do please keep up your dispatches from the front line and good luck for the remainder of the event.