What do you think of this TD?

   I was playing in a tournament this weekend and had an issue with a TD.  For the final round of the tournament I was talking to someone outside the playing hall right before the round started when the TD came out and asked us to keep it down for the players.  Realizing that that meant that the round was starting/would be starting, I quickly rushed in to the playing hall to take my seat.  Most of the players appeared to be setting up their boards but when I sat down at mine I discovered that my opponent was absent but that he, as white, had already made his first move and started the clock. 

  This meant that I had two minutes less then I was supposed to have.  I debated informing the TD but reasoned that I might not even need the two minutes so I decided to only bother the TD about it if I was low on time and it would become an issue.  Strangely though, as the game went on I couldn't stop thinking about it.  When I reached a tough endgame with 20 minutes less then my opponent I decided to talk to the tournament director about it. 

   His response was, "You should've mentioned it at the very beginning, lesson learned."  I think I blew it out of proprotion but his dismissive response upset me.  He could've at least asked my opponent if that was true.  My question is, "Do you think that the tournament director's response was fair and/or correct?"  Is there USCF guidelines for this situation?

What is TD ?

You mention that most of the players were setting up their boards which would indicate to me that the round had not started.  If so I'd question why your opponent would start the clock and make their move if as mentioned in the United States Chess Federation's Rulebook 16I. "the time determined for the start of the game" had not been reached/met.  Had the start of the round been met (i.e. Round 2 begins at 10:00 A.M. and it was was 10:00 A.M.) I could see why or even agree to impose Rule 16J. "If black is not present for the start of the game, White shall start his own clock, make his move on the board, and start Black's clock."

In your second paragraph you note you informed the TD but when?; did you do so upon getting to the board?  That's when you were suppose to bring it to the attention of the TD and if that TD didn't want to hear it by rule you could ask for the tournament's chief TD.  You can't go with the notion that you'd be alright and would only cause a stink about it later if you were "low on time and it would become an issue."  By rule it was already an issue.

The TD was correct, you should have bought it to their attention at the beginning of the game/when you first saw/encountered it.  One can theorize that your opponent went to the bathroom or had their friend set the board and start the clock but in the end that opponent is (barring the round hadn't started as you mention others were in the process of setting up their boards) late to the round and could have had a penalty imposed on them.

I'd suggest to you if at any point in the future, you have an issue raise it immediately to the TD -heck even if it's a "stupid question" it's more stupider not to ask than to face the aftermath and be placed in this what if situation.  By rule and by your player's rights and responsibilities the TD is there for you.  Anything else feel free to pvt. msg. me.

pradnyasoorya a TD is the abbreviation for a tournament director.

~Ray

Chairman, USCF Publications Committee

USCF TD Rank: Local TD

Great info have to watch out for that in my first tournament.

Yes the response was correct.  perhaps the delivery was not. OTB chess has enough ettiquete problems keeping people onside. tough way to learn the lesson

How can one get a rule book without visiting the tournament?

You can get it from USCF. For most (not all) of the USCF rules, you can also go to amazon.com and "look inside".

If i goto USCF site will the send it for free or i have to pay S/H. I like to have the book in my hands so i can access at all times. Never know!

It's a book. You have to pay for it. 

Wow. I have been in other leagues not chess ....before. The rule book or compared to what you may be suggesting is a pamplet like holding about less than 200 pages and it is free. Ok free for the captains of each team and officers of the league.

This sounds serious and not the paper back type book. Have to assume it will fit inside a mail slot. So that must mean $5 - $10 s/h. Is this book to big to carry around? Say if i try to take it with me to a tournament and have to take a plane will taking the book be a big hassle?

Thank you!