Live from Hungary — Meet Judit Sztaray — A World Class International Arbiter!

Dear Silverdale Chess Club Players, Families and Friends,

Do you know the official rules of chess?  Do the world’s top Grandmasters, champions like Magnus Carlsen,  Fabiano Caruana, Garry Kasparov, Wesley So, and Gukesh Dommaraju obey the ”Touch Move” rule? And after touching a piece can you move it anywhere on the board before punching your clock?

Do you need to write down your moves if you are playing a Classical or Rapid Chess game at a certain time control?  

What about Chess Armageddon (where White must win to prevail and Black plays with draw-odds and less time on the clock)? Any tips?

How long can a chess game last with only a few pieces left on the board? 

Is tournament chess played differently in different countries?

How are the rules for online chess evolving?

The answers to these questions, and many more, can decide the outcome of a rated, or non-rated, chess game, quite possibly yours!  So if you don’t know all the rules of the game you could be sacrificing your chances for success.

There is no one better than a FIDE International Arbiter to explain the rules, adjudicate a three-move repetition (which results in a draw), or enforce the laws of chess, than International Arbiter Judit Sztaray, this week's special guest!

Judit will join us online from her native homeland in Hungary (when not traveling the world, Judit resides in central California).

Mz. Sztaray “referees” the biggest games in the sport, generally featuring the chess world’s best players, including world champions, past and present, at locations on every continent.

Judit began her professional life as a chemist, earning a PhD in theoretical mass spectrometry and spending over a decade in analytical and clinical chemistry research.

Then, in her own words, “Llfe took an unexpected and wonderful turn when she entered the world of chess. What started as curiosity and volunteering quickly became a passion, leading me to tournament organizing and arbitration. Today, I hold the titles of National Tournament Director (NTD) and International Arbiter, and have had the privilege of organizing and directing hundreds of chess events across the US and beyond."

Judit is also the Director of Chess Club Relations at Chess.com.  "I’m thrilled to support and collaborate with a wide range of communities—from over-the-board (OTB) clubs and titled players to coaches, bloggers, and casual enthusiasts. No matter your level or interest, I’m here to help you find your place in the chess world,” she says.

She also helps manage the Mechanics Institute Chess Club in San Francisco, the oldest chess club in the United States.

Our Zoom connection will take place at 2:45 on Saturday, October 4, barring unforeseen circumstances, which Judit can surely help arbitrate,