Late To Play? That'll Be €500

Submitted by SonofPearl on Wed, 10/21/2009 at 2:02pm.

At the recent FIDE executive board meeting in Halkidiki, Greece, one of the most bizarre suggestions yet was thankfully NOT approved.  However, the FIDE powers-that-be may still try to introduce it at a later date.

The already hugely controversial policy of automatic defaults for players who are not seated ready at their boards at exactly the designated start time for a game, could be augmented with an astonishing €500 fine. 

A second offence would see the fine increase to €1,000 and if you still haven't learned your lesson from our FIDE overlords, a third occurrence would set you back €2,000.

Is FIDE actually serious?  Most players couldn't afford to pay these sort of fines, and would probably be hugely discouraged from entering an event if there was a possibility of such a severe punishment for simply being late.

World governing body? More like colossal world embarrassment...

 

(H/T The Closet Grandmaster)

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Comments:

by theriverman - 37 days ago
Chico, California United States
Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 1556

STUPZER

by jackdas - 37 days ago
Philippines Philippines
Member Since: May 2008
Member Points: 56

STUFIDE.

by B97 - 58 days ago
United States
Member Since: May 2009
Member Points: 43

The idea of a fine is a bit too harsh. Forfeiting a game is more reasonable if there are no extenuating circumstances. After all, being tardy is being disrespectful to your opponent.

However, there should be a reasonable waiting period say 30 min before the game is called (tardy player's clock ought to be running).

by sryiwannadraw - 59 days ago
Austin, Texas United States
Member Since: Mar 2009
Member Points: 181

wheres my money?

by BluesWorks - 2 months ago
Scot in United States
Member Since: Apr 2009
Member Points: 139

Those who say "just show up on time" and babble about other sports and professionalism are indeed blaming the victim for the sake of their own self-righteousness.  If we have lessons to learn from other sports it is how bloated bureaucracies grow away from their roots. Another example of such foolishness was that Susan Polgar and Paul Truong were forcibly expelled from the US Chess Federation recently...and action without precedence including Fisher's departure from their rolls.

by YeOldeWildman - 2 months ago
Silicon Valley, California United States
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 408

I always bring reading material wherever I go (a non-chess book to chess games, of course...).  So if my opponent doesn't show up I can always entertain myself.  It's also handy if someone wants to play on for a couple of hours when they're a rook or more down and you're bored out of your mind...

by kunduk - 2 months ago
kolkata India
Member Since: Feb 2009
Member Points: 871

huh... so, be on time.. Wink

by DylanAM - 2 months ago
Conway, AR United States
Member Since: Apr 2009
Member Points: 105

FIDE has a poor reputation because it's earned that reputation.  It is overly politicized and bureaucracised chess for decades.  Fees are out of the question.  FIDE isn't a collection agency.  They don't operate to collect fees from "lawbreakers" like police and courtrooms largely do. Who does FIDE think they are?

Start the clock and watch your opponent's time go down until he/she comes back.  If it bothers players so much to sit at an empty table, then THEY should get up and take a little walk around.

by Gregi - 2 months ago
Slovenija Slovenia
Member Since: Oct 2009
Member Points: 1

It's all rediculous... I'd really like to see chess players stage a demonstration over this... something like... Both players are at the board on time, black starts the clock, white makes his forst move, pushes the clock, gets up and leaves.... black then makes the move and leaves also... 5 minutes prior to flag fall, white comes, playes his move, pushes the clock and leaves again.... 5 minutes prior to flag of black, they meet ant the board and agree a draw....Cool Would that get FIDE thinking???

by mattDearle - 2 months ago
Vancouver Canada
Member Since: Sep 2008
Member Points: 100

Is it just me or do a lot of ppl have their hate on for FIDE?? Perhaps its because of the way the journalists report on them.  For some reason i always get the feeling that FIDE is the big bad wolf.

Maybe its some of the author's prejudice leaking through the seams of their articles and rubbing off on me. Call me crazy but thats what i think.

by TheWontrob - 2 months ago
Connecticut United States
Member Since: Apr 2009
Member Points: 29

Easy solution: START THE CLOCK

by salimb - 2 months ago
Saxapahaw, nc United States
Member Since: Jun 2008
Member Points: 22

Think about the opponent sitting there for one or two hours because some player does not show up and does not take the time to call.

If you're a professional you should show up on time. In any other sport, if you show up late, you're forfeited. Usually after a grace period though. Not sure why the board member wanted to set a fine, but there must be some abuse otherwise, he/she would not have brought it up.

by YeOldeWildman - 2 months ago
Silicon Valley, California United States
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 408

The forfit rule is silly;  the fine idea is completely rediculous.  Hou Yiffan forfited a game earlier this year even though (1) she was in the room and (2) had already filled out her score sheet.  She just happened to be on the other side of the room when the witching hour arrived.  What purpose does something like that serve?  It certainly doesn't give chess or FIDE any credibility at all.

by cheesyrobbie - 2 months ago
Kakaduduna Sao Tome/Principe
Member Since: May 2008
Member Points: 115

Ok, I'm talking about professional events, you know, the big ones?

by theriverman - 2 months ago
Chico, California United States
Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 1556

The fine will not stop someone from being late.  Plane trips canceled by storms, accidents, .......having to good a time with the locals.....flip a coin and see where it lands. lol

Sponsors of the player will probably pick up the tab.

by FM VPA - 2 months ago
Valsad-Gujarat India
Member Since: Jul 2007
Member Points: 188

What's going on babe? Is it a joke?Yell

by Dreamlane - 2 months ago
Charleston SC United States
Member Since: Jun 2009
Member Points: 22

"I feel the fines are fair and warranted.  If you can't afford it, then show up on time.  It's that simple."

Have you ever been late to something unintentionally? If you say no, then I am sure you are lying to yourself.

by 69tat - 2 months ago
Glasgow Scotland
Member Since: May 2009
Member Points: 42

anybody who wants to fine me for this is welcome to come to Glasgow and(try to)collect the money personally;i would advise against this however as it would be fruitless and medical insurance is not cheap.

by nuclearturkey - 2 months ago
International
Member Since: Aug 2009
Member Points: 737

"all of you are stupid, who cares? they can make any rule they want, if you don't like it don't play chess with them."

Seriously, think that one through again.

by TomMac19 - 2 months ago
Devon United Kingdom
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 155

p.s. its no wonder chess isnt what it use to be in the western world with idiots like this on board. ive yet to read a single thing which is good about them!

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