Infidelity? - Chess Forums

5 days ago

0

#1

Chess comrades! How goes it?

For starters, what did you guys think about the Netflix piece on Hans Niemann / Magnus Carlsen? I thought it was pretty good. Hans is a pretty wild guy, allegations notwithstanding. Haven’t finished the one on Judit Polgár yet.

Transitioning from that, let's get to it:

Every Friday, I go a few towns over to play USCF-rated Swiss games. I love it. Stronger players, real competition, that’s why I study.

First thing (minor gripe):
Where I play, the stronger player usually gets White in back-to-back weeks, which I think is whack. That’s just my opinion. I like getting Black against higher-rated players—honestly, I [expletive] love it—but let’s mix in some color balance. Why not alternate colors each week, or randomize assignments instead of always giving White to the higher seed? Let me see how folks respond to the King’s Gambit when I’ve got White for once.

Let’s refocus on the main point.

Here’s the situation that’s been sticking with me:

I’m playing Black against a guy rated several hundred points above me. Perfect. This is why I’m here. Let’s see who’s got the better ideas. Plus, to quote Kevin Garnett's trash talking w/in earshot of MJ, (regarding playing higher rated players), "I don't give a ..." Let's go!

I’m using the Hyper-Accelerated Dragon. I’m down an exchange, (it's a knight tho') Position’s open and playable. The noise-canceling headphones are like some kind of force field—keeping out self-doubt, bad vibes, and outright blunders.

Then he gets into time trouble. I’m talking under 10 minutes… then lower… and it stays low.

At some point, someone else starts doing his notation.

No, this can't be $^%# happening!

He’s moving during the delay. Over and over. Sitting on basically no time—like single digits for what feels like an eternity—but he’s not using any of that time to write moves down… because he doesn’t have to anymore.

Meanwhile, I’m still doing both. But I have over 50 minutes left. Hakuna Matata, right?

Clock + notation.

As a result, he stabilizes, survives the scramble… and wins.

Now my brain goes here:

This reminds me—loosely—of Casey Martin (golf) He had a legitimate condition, couldn’t walk the course, and got approval to use a cart. Makes sense.

But imagine if that cart somehow affected timing or pacing in a way that gave a competitive edge. So I’m sitting there thinking:

This is—from what I can tell—an able-bodied player.

Is this legal?

Because psychologically, it’s wild. You’re calculating, pressing, expecting the clock to matter… and it just doesn’t. Your checks don’t cause a time loss… because he’s not spending time recording moves.

So:

Is it actually allowed under USCF rules—for an able-bodied player in time trouble to have someone else keep their notation? Or is that specifically an exception for players with an approved and documented need, like a recognized disability?
If it is, is it considered fair play?
And am I off base for thinking both this and the color situation could be handled better?

I don’t mind losing. I’ll get outplayed all day and tip my cap.

But losing a game where the clock should be part of the battle—and suddenly isn’t—feels a little… off.

Curious what you all think. Has anyone else run into this in their own games? How did it play out, and what did you do?

justbefair

4 days ago

0

#2

I didn't enjoy the Magnus Niemann documentary. I thought it made everyone look bad.

In a tournament, pairing rules can result in a player having black two weeks in a row. How big is the tournament? How many weeks?

As far as the scoresheet rules, have you looked at the UCF rulebook? Portions are available for free online.

https://www.uschess.org/index.php/Official-Rules/

https://www.uschess.org/docs/gov/chessrules/US_Chess_Rule_Book-Online_Only_Edition_v7.1-1.2.11-7.19.19.pdf

Keeping scoresheet is covered by rule 15. When time is low, the obligation to keep score is relieved. However, that would also make it impossible for that player to make a time forfeit claim.What I saw doesn't address having someone else keep a scoresheet. My guess is that it is not legal.

chessmatic_120

4 days ago

0

#3

I haven’t looked at the rule just yet, and the number of participants fluctuates. The tournament is weekly. That said, my intentions are to look at the rule per your suggestion. Thanks for the feedback.

Martin_Stahl

4 days ago

0

#4

justbefair wrote:

….

As far as the scoresheet rules, have you looked at the UCF rulebook? Portions are available for free online.

https://www.uschess.org/index.php/Official-Rules/

https://www.uschess.org/docs/gov/chessrules/US_Chess_Rule_Book-Online_Only_Edition_v7.1-1.2.11-7.19.19.pdf

Keeping scoresheet is covered by rule 15. When time is low, the obligation to keep score is relieved. However, that would also make it impossible for that player to make a time forfeit claim.What I saw doesn't address having someone else keep a scoresheet. My guess is that it is not legal.

Notation is not required for winning on a flag situation.

However, when either player is under 5 minutes, neither player is required to keep notation, unless there's an increment of at least 30 seconds. The only thing that changes is that 50 moves without captures or pawn moves and triple repetition of position claims can't be made if the claiming player doesn't have a reasonably complete score sheet.

It is allowed for someone to notate, when under 5 minutes, but that score sheet can't be used for draw claims.

As to pairings, it kind of depends on how the event is submitted. If each week is a separate event, then it could be related differently than it would be as a Swiss event with different rounds each week. In the Swiss event situation, colors should follow standard pairing algorithms.