I think having a document that summarizes the important OTB rules and the OTB rules that more often arise in practice these days would be a great resource for players. I would be happy to help create such a document.
Oh great, another document that has to be kept in parallel with the rules themselves, something you yourself have complained about on numerous occasions.
I suspect that the overwhelming majority of the rules one would put in this sort of document would be the ones that don’t change. At least to be effective it would be. I picture this as a two page document at most with the key things a newbie needs to know to get through their first tournament without a shark bite. I don’t see rule 14H in this document. Micah, is that what you had in mind?
I believe a document has already been produced which compares the difference between FIDE rules and USCF rules. That is the type of thing a player who is new to FIDE tournaments and play in US events would find useful. Of course, one could just read the Rulebook, too. There is only about 80 pages that are really relevant for Swiss System play. That is not so much to read if you are a serious player.
Why so negative Mike?
I would help keep the document up-to-date.
Why so negative Mike?
I would help keep the document up-to-date.
It might be a little longer than two pages but yes, rules like variation 14H, insufficient losing chances, as well as thinks like adjournments and rules for computers playing in OTB tournaments would not be included since they are almost irrelevant in today’s OTB world.
There are other documents maintained by volunteers that I have a great deal of respect for, and still respect even though life has gotten in the way of them further updating those documents. In the very unlikely event that Micah does not have, and never will have, a life outside of chess then my concerns would be noticeably alleviated. Otherwise we are left depending on a person who definitely has every intention of maintaining a document, but who cannot foresee the future to know whether or not that intention can be kept.
As far as changes go,
2019 saw changes to 14D and 14E
2018 saw changes to 9D and 10H
2017 saw changes to 11A, 11D1, 11H, 14G, 16D, 16D1, 16P1, 16Q and 16R
2016 saw changes to 5C, 5E and 5F
2015 saw changes to 5B, 10I and 14K
Are you primarily concerned with 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16? Listing important rule numbers (along with exclusions like “14 except for 14H”) and referencing the on-line link to the rulebook may be a good place to start.
I ignored any chapter 2 changes because they deal with tournament procedures (pairings, prizes, etc.) rather than with playing the actual game.
Perhaps an interesting feature of such a document might be some comparisons (and especially contrasts) between OTB rules and online rules.
“OTB: If you touch a piece, you must move it.” . . “Online: Who cares? You’re not bothering your opponent anyway.”
“OTB: Make your move, then offer a draw, then press your clock.” . . “Online: Offer the draw before you make your move, otherwise the draw offer will never be registered.”
But I think Tim Just has already covered some of this territory in his latest Just the Rules column.
Bill Smythe
Creating a document that covers the differences between OTB and online rules would be interesting but isn’t what my proposed document is about.
Micah why not just go ahead and create it and post it here and offer it up that way? Worse that could happen is everyone will try to put their two cents in. In the meantime you will have it to give to friends and newcomers that you know.
I was thinking about doing this.
We did something like this for the brochures we give to new club members, check out metrowestchess.org/Community … ub_1_2.pdf
They are formatted as a tri-fold brochures, so page 2 of the PDF is actually the start of the document.
Also, see metrowestchess.org. There are “icons” on the right for all out brochures.
-Matt