cuendillar wrote:
Another point of this rule is as bizarre: Imagine that you've come well ahead of time and your opponent isn't. Wondering why he isn't there, you rise from your seat to see if he is running towards the board from opposite the all/outside. Then the signal sounds and you're forfeited as you weren't seated at the board right then. Of course, the rule won't be enforced this way but following the rule by the letter it is what would happen.
:) Just wait and see, they *will* have to enforce it the way cuendillar thinks it wont be... What if opp PhileasFogg, who came only *just* in time, claims a forfeit? If they dont award PhileasFogg the game, PhileasFogg could sue for discrimination! Or appeal. Or whatever.
Chess players are often late and some are always late. The rules of chess state that if you are one hour late you forfeit the game, which I think is fair. However, a few minutes late ? Fischer often came a few minutes late to his games and he isnt the only player. Kramnik in his recently completed match with Anand was late at least once to the game. I will be interested to see if this new rule is actually enforced.
Fischer didnt bother to turn up at all for the world champ 1972 game 1 (or was it game 2? so long ago - I forgot...) - gave spassky one-game odds, in effect :)