*Global Chess League comes to London October 2024*

[Ian Thompson]

One suggestion, from Levon Aronian, was for increment to be added after move 60.

Some TV channels are broadcasting the event. If any of those are live broadcasts, then not knowing the latest time by which all games will be over may be problematic. Although obviously not an insurmountable problem, it may put off some broadcasters.

[Ian Thompson]

So there is a mechanism in place should players choose to use it. I must admit, though, I've not enjoyed the games decided solely by time. One suggestion, from Levon Aronian, was for increment to be added after move 60.

Presumably they've got an "unable to win by normal means" clause somewhere in the ruleset.

Possibly not. ChessBase says "the regulations do not mention anything about the draw claim rule", which is correct. The Laws of Chess say the guidelines for claiming draws in this way "shall only be used at an event if their use has been announced beforehand."

The ChessBase article goes on to quote Carlsen saying "This happened after Nihal had made several illegal moves and the arbiter never stepping in - we’re not a serious sport unfortunately". In the clip I saw of the end of the game it looked like six of one and half-a-dozen of the other to me with both players moving and pressing the clock while pieces were knocked over or not properly on squares. I, too, wondered where the arbiter was.

[Graham Borrowdale]

Carlsen saying "This happened after Nihal had made several illegal moves and the arbiter never stepping in - we’re not a serious sport unfortunately".

I can understand Carlsen saying that, but I don’t think this is a serious event; lots of money at stake, yes, but not a serious sporting event. As for the arbiters, I am sure they are not paid a lot of money, and you get what you pay for.

[Ian Thompson]

Carlsen saying "This happened after Nihal had made several illegal moves and the arbiter never stepping in - we’re not a serious sport unfortunately".

I can understand Carlsen saying that, but I don’t think this is a serious event; lots of money at stake, yes, but not a serious sporting event. As for the arbiters, I am sure they are not paid a lot of money, and you get what you pay for.

So what standard of arbiting can you expect for a 10 days event where the arbiters are paid:

• Chief Arbiter - $3,600
• Deputy Chief Arbiter - $2,700
• Match Arbiter - $2,100

The amounts are in the regulations I linked to in my previous post.

[Roger de Coverly]

As for the arbiters, I am sure they are not paid a lot of money, and you get what you pay for.

The arbiters are either named or pictured in the chessbase report.

I could suggest that if playing Rapid or Blitz without increments at any stage of the game, perhaps the players should be using electronic input. In other words set up a couple of laptops or tablets in the venue to both play and record the moves. Whether you want the game decided by relative skill at pre-move is another question.

[LawrenceCooper]

Carlsen saying "This happened after Nihal had made several illegal moves and the arbiter never stepping in - we’re not a serious sport unfortunately".

I can understand Carlsen saying that, but I don’t think this is a serious event; lots of money at stake, yes, but not a serious sporting event. As for the arbiters, I am sure they are not paid a lot of money, and you get what you pay for.

So what standard of arbiting can you expect for a 10 days event where the arbiters are paid:

• Chief Arbiter - $3,600
• Deputy Chief Arbiter - $2,700
• Match Arbiter - $2,100

The amounts are in the regulations I linked to in my previous post.

I'm not sure the arbiters can win whatever they do. If they stepped in at every indiscretion eg pressing the clock before picking up misplaced pieces and moving before your opponent has pressed the clock they would no doubt be accused of interfering and hogging the limelight. If they leave it to the players to claim then they can be accused of not intervening. If you play without increment then that is what you get.

[Leonard Barden]

Malcolm's comment, quoted in the chess.com round five report:

It was totally ridiculous. I reviewed the video in the Appeals Committee meeting. Pieces thrown all over the place, clock hit before the move was complete, he was even standing up at one point. I asked for the arbiter to be explained the basics. We have to do better.

[NickFaulks]

Carlsen saying "This happened after Nihal had made several illegal moves and the arbiter never stepping in - we’re not a serious sport unfortunately".

I haven't been following the event at all, but guessed correctly from this comment that he wasn't doing very well.

[NickFaulks]

If you play without increment then that is what you get.

The discussion could reasonably stop there. The only way for the arbiters to avoid criticism would have been to turn down the invitation.

[NickFaulks]

So what standard of arbiting can you expect for a 10 days event where the arbiters are paid:

• Chief Arbiter - $3,600
• Deputy Chief Arbiter - $2,700
• Match Arbiter - $2,100

The full list is

Principal Stipend No. Total
Chief Arbiter $3,600 1 $3,600
Deputy Chief Arbiter $2,700 1 $2,700
Fair Play Officer $2,700 1 $2,700
Technical Delegate - Chairman of the Appeals Committee $2,700 1 $2,700
Member of the Appeals Committee $2,100 2 $4,200
Match Arbiter $2,100 1 $2,100

I have never understood why the Appeals Committee get so much in FIDE events - that is to say, I do understand but I don't think it is right!

And what exactly is the Fair Play Officer doing to earn their fee?

[Nick Burrows]

Perhaps it's made the arbiters play without increment too.

[Peter Hornsby]

GCL table.jpg (151.15 KiB) Viewed 1135 times

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[Peter Hornsby]

Looking back at Saturday, 8 UK based teams played in an online Chess.com arena meeting in person:

https://www.chess.com/tournament/live/a ... 24-3705645

Eton and Alpha Chess played in the semi-final with Alpha Chess prevailing to face-off against Hammersmith Sharks in the over-the-board final:

George Zhao 0-1 Peter Roberson
Rock Yu 0-1 Thomas Rendle
Lion Levedev 0-1 James Moreby
Aditya Mittal 1-0 Veronica Foisor
Dhriti Anand 1-0 Ben Purton
Beni Sisupalan 0-1 Ash Stewart
Madhav Kaushik 0-1 Gaston Franco
Armaan Nilim 0-1 Zain Patel
Hubert Bates 1-0 Kevin McCarthy
Callum Hill 1/2-1/2 Leon Liu

ITV even did a feature on it interviewing the winning captain Thomas Rendle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKRxnIz2fiQ

Well done to everyone who took part!

[LawrenceCooper]

A random gathering of chess players: https://x.com/AAMortazavi/status/1844782240993059220

[Christopher Kreuzer]

A random gathering of chess players: https://x.com/AAMortazavi/status/1844782240993059220

Some random dudes turned up to a poker and chess night at my house. One of them was even mumbling something about a Nobel prize… #chess #NobelPrize

That is funny. Is Demis the one sat next to (to the right of) Ali Mortazavi (who I almost failed to recognise)?