Local Rules for Mobile Telephones

[Roger de Coverly]

Any thoughts as to what the rules should be for "spectators" at league matches? Frequently juniors are accompanied by a parent or other adult, who will sit in a corner with a phone or laptop. I've also seen it where both family members are playing, the younger finishes quickly and again is sitting in the room with a phone awaiting the completion of the parent's game.

What if the spectator was following the game on phone, tablet or laptop? Easy to do with live coverage which wouldn't be the case in league matches, but taking a look at the board is always possible.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"I would say that 'having a phone', in the sense that it is on your person, is indeed a problem for the opponent because it increases the possibility of it being used, e.g. in a toilet. "

Yes - Didn't Magnus grumble that he was put off as one opponent was clearly wearing a "smart watch"? I played a game where in the middle-game, my opponent left the board and the room for several moves in a row (on my move), returning to play the best defence repeatedly. I don't know if he cheated, but it seemed odd that he only left the room those few times. It was a labyrinthine Village Hall, so he could have been hiding anywhere.

"Any thoughts as to what the rules should be for "spectators" at league matches? Frequently juniors are accompanied by a parent or other adult, who will sit in a corner with a phone or laptop."

Yes - one arbiter spotted a junior visiting a parent in the analysis room, who had a laptop open with the junior's current position on it... I seem to remember that one event had the usual lecture at the start of the tournament, which included a message to the spectators that they must keep phones off in the playing area. I would have thought that at a club, you can just announce all phones must be off, whether you're playing or not.

[John Upham]

Having spent three days attending a FIDE Arbiters seminar I feel it worth disseminating the following from the FIDE Fair Play Rules / Guidelines:

11.3.1 During play the players are forbidden to use any notes, sources of information or advice, or analyse any game on another chessboard.

11.3.2.1 During a game, a player is forbidden to have any electronic device not specifically approved by the arbiter in the playing venue.*

11.3.2.2 If it is evident that a player has such a device on their person in
the playing venue, the player shall lose the game. The opponent shall win. The regulations of an event may specify a different, less severe, penalty.

11.3.2.1 (continues) However, the regulations of an event may allow such devices to be stored in a player’s bag, provided the device is completely switched off. This bag must be placed as agreed with the arbiter. Both players are forbidden to use this bag without permission of the arbiter.

[John Upham]

Any thoughts as to what the rules should be for "spectators" at league matches? Frequently juniors are accompanied by a parent or other adult, who will sit in a corner with a phone or laptop. I've also seen it where both family members are playing, the younger finishes quickly and again is sitting in the room with a phone awaiting the completion of the parent's game.

What if the spectator was following the game on phone, tablet or laptop? Easy to do with live coverage which wouldn't be the case in league matches, but taking a look at the board is always possible.

Don't forget that

"11.4 Players who have finished their games shall be considered to be spectators."

[John Upham]

From recent conversations with local league players many feel that the only risk posed by mobiles telephones is that they might generate some kind of audible disturbance.

They appear unable to countenance that someone could consult one to assist with their moves. Perhaps this is a generational thing?

I was told yesterday at an AGM that cheating in local leagues does not happen and that I should not concern myself about it.

[John Upham]

And, as if by magic:

https://www.chess.com/news/view/dutch-c ... %20masters.

[Roger de Coverly]

And, as if by magic:

(phone in sock)

Wasn't that more or less the Rausis method as well, a phone strapped to the ankle?

[John Upham]

And, as if by magic:

(phone in sock)

Wasn't that more or less the Rausis method as well, a phone strapped to the ankle?

Yes, Rausis consulted his chess engine in various toilet cubicles.

Some have pre-deposited a telephone in a cubicle in the ceiling void or in a waterproof bag in the cistern.

[Reg Clucas]

Some have pre-deposited a telephone in a cubicle in the ceiling void or in a waterproof bag in the cistern.

Reminds me of the restaurant scene in 'The Godfather'!

Regarding spectators, if we have a match at our club we always request everyone to switch off their mobiles, whether involved in the match or not. But of course you can't really enforce it for spectators.

[John Upham]

Some have pre-deposited a telephone in a cubicle in the ceiling void or in a waterproof bag in the cistern.

Reminds me of the restaurant scene in 'The Godfather'!

Regarding spectators, if we have a match at our club we always request everyone to switch off their mobiles, whether involved in the match or not. But of course you can't really enforce it for spectators.

When acting as a Team Captain I make pre-start announcement that all mobile telephones should be turned off for anyone in the playing area (and that includes myself).

I'm sure most (or all) rated tournaments will make sure of this. I'm unclear as to why rated games in league matches do not merit Fair Play observance as do rated games in tournaments. Can someone explain the guiding principle here?

As a recent AGM I was informed that "nobody cheats in local league matches" and then I pointed out exceptions and my reply was brushed off as being inconvenient.

[NickFaulks]

When acting as a Team Captain I make pre-start announcement that all mobile telephones should be turned off for anyone in the playing area (and that includes myself).

Of course. The trouble is that the players most likely to fall into this trap are those who arrive late and flustered, so miss the announcement anyway.

At FIDE rated events, I really wish a sign could be nailed to the entrance saying in huge letters TURN OFF YOUR PHONE!!

[Mike Gunn]

---
I'm sure most (or all) rated tournaments will make sure of this. I'm unclear as to why rated games in league matches do not merit Fair Play observance as do rated games in tournaments. Can someone explain the guiding principle here?

As a recent AGM I was informed that "nobody cheats in local league matches" and then I pointed out exceptions and my reply was brushed off as being inconvenient.

John, I agree with your dismay that such attitudes exist. I'm personally aware of at least 3 cases where juniors have been caught using mobile phones in toilets to cheat in tournaments and I can't understand why they should only do so in tournaments and not evening league games.

The basic problem is that a large proportion of local league players (including captains) are ignorant as to what the FIDE Laws (and local league amendments) say about electronic devices (in fact the latest FIDE Laws no longer mention mobile phones, just electronic devices). Leagues have a job to do here in educating players, in my opinion, not just about the laws but also to be vigilant about the possibility of cheating.

[John Upham]

At FIDE rated events, I really wish a sign could be nailed to the entrance saying in huge letters TURN OFF YOUR PHONE!!

For Hampshire junior events we have these sign for all rated events regardless of being FIDE rated.

I could be wrong but I get the impression that some think not having Fair Play conditions for ECF rated only events is OK.

"Its not FIDE rated so it does not matter and nobody cheats anyway"

[Roger de Coverly]

Can someone explain the guiding principle here?

Entering a tournament is a deliberate act. Playing in a league match , especially a longer distance away one can be in part a question of loyalty to the team, club or match captain. It's long been thought quite rightly, in my view, that it's objectionable to both players to have the game terminated within minutes because of a device making a noise. That said, devices should be off during the game and remain off. So if it makes a noise one of the penalties is that it should be completely powered off.

As to whether engine consultation takes place during league or county matches, there have been allegations. There's invariably a reluctance to name perpetrators or even the method used. That has also applied to the ECF with Congresses.

Known ECF precedents have included defaults awarded for taking a phone in a bag into the canteen area and for that matter leaving the playing area to go sightseeing.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"As a recent AGM I was informed that "nobody cheats in local league matches" "

I wonder if they really believed that? If I had been told that, I might have gone into full "Musk-mode", only not as subtle...