Rules on Cameras

[Nigel_Davies]

Will someone please clarify the rules on cameras and taking pictures for me. I have it in my head that the first 10 minutes of a game is OK, but having noticed that this has not been adhered to I figure it must be more complicated than that. Thanks, Nigel

[Carl Hibbard]

Will someone please clarify the rules on cameras and taking pictures for me. I have it in my head that the first 10 minutes of a game is OK, but having noticed that this has not been adhered to I figure it must be more complicated than that. Thanks, Nigel

It is just a rule of general politeness is it not?

After that it's the arbiter who needs to sort it out?

[Nigel_Davies]

I found this in the FIDE handbook:

http://www.fide.com/component/handbook/ ... icle&id=15

"4.8 Flash photographing of the players shall be allowed only during the first 3 minutes of each round. Film video and TV coverage is to be encouraged, but cameras should be unobtrusive and not disturb the players."

Then I found these rules for last year's the Womens' World Championship:

http://rules.chessdom.com/world-women-c ... hip-part-2

"3. 19. 1. Only photographers and camera crew expressly authorised by the Press Officer may work in the playing venue.
a) When more than 16 players are competing, flash may be used only during the first ten minutes.
b) When 16 players or less are competing, flash may only be used during the first five minutes.
c) In tiebreak games flash may only be used in the first three minutes. In case of 5 minutes + sudden death games, the use of flash is not permitted, the use of cameras without flash may only be permitted if the Arbiter in charge deems their use to be unobtrusive.
e) Television cameras must be unobtrusive and may only be used if the Arbiter in charge deems their use to be unobtrusive.
f) An official photographer, designated by the Organisers with the approval of the Chief Arbiter shall be allowed to take photos at any time during the round without flash."

So I was just wondering what it means, for example, at the 4NCL. N

[Sean Hewitt]

As far as I am aware, the general rule for standard play is

First ten minutes - all photography ok. After that it's still ok provided that no flash is used and the taking of pictures is non obtrusive. I take that to mean the camera is silent, and you're not sticking it in the players face.

John Saunders is probably the authority on this one!

[E Michael White]

In addition, any event which wishes to ensure that players may qualify for Titles or Norms must adhere to the FIDE Tournament rules as well as the general FIDE rules.

http://www.fide.com/fide/handbook?id=20&view=category

This places extra requirements on the organisers and Arbiters. In general the requirements are higher for mobile phones and cameras and also require players to be fully aware of the rules.

The expectation is that norms can be earned in the 4NCL so organisers and players need to bear this in mind.

[Mike Truran]

In the FIDE handbook the phrase "unless the chief arbiter decides otherwise" gives the 4NCL and other FIDE rated events some discretion in the matter - along similar lines to the discretion allowed with regard to starting time defaults.

[E Michael White]

In the FIDE handbook the phrase "unless the chief arbiter decides otherwise" gives the 4NCL and other FIDE rated events some discretion in the matter - along similar lines to the discretion allowed with regard to starting time defaults.

Mike. ( I dont play in the 4NCL so dont confuse me with Michael White FM who does play.) What you say is correct but only as regards the second sentence of 13.(b) ie the length of time for which photographs can be taken. In exercising arbiter discretion section 6 is relevant requiring arbiters to consider Regulations for organisation of Top Level Tournaments where conditions are more restrictive.

The first part of regulation 13(b) is not weakenable by arbiter discretion and requires all photographers to be authorised. This places a responsibility on you to have an authorisation process in place. Nigel D would be justified in asking which photographers were authorised at the recent 4NCL to be able to obtain copies of any photographs of himself or his efforts.

Most recent amendments to FIDE rules and regulations are followed by the statement ... unless the arbiter decides otherwise. I think this is a disturbing trend as it introduces uncertainty and amounts to deregulation. Parallels in other areas suggest there may be a Chess tournament credibility crunch looming on the horizon as a result.