Grading of TD tests policy

[dennisk]

@scottrparker

@dennisk

I still use pairing cards at every tournament, just to keep in practice, and to keep tabs on the computer (occasionally I overrule it). There have been occasions when the computer crashes, or when my computer operator can’t get there until the 2nd or 3rd round. And there have been occasions on which people complained about their pairings, and instead of just saying “That’s what the computer did”, I was able to show them exactly why that pairing was made. The cards do come in handy.

It is never acceptable to just say, “That’s what the computer did”, and leave it at that. The computer isn’t the TD for the tournament.

Agreed, and I wouldn’t do that. But many TDs will – especially the ones who have never done pairings by hand, don’t know how to, and are entirely dependent on the computer. That’s one reason I still use cards.

[BrianYangUSChess]

So about grading of TD tests … — just saying that’s the original topic, not who knows how to pair by hand.

Best,
~Acerook

[nolan]

Pairing skills are ones that probably need to be tested more thoroughly at the Senior and higher levels, because so many TDs appear to be dependent upon the computer for pairing.

But that doesn’t change the fact that TD testing is currently considered an ‘assessment’ activity, not a learning activity. I don’t see any signs of that changing soon.

[BIRDSNAN]

Perhaps I am wrong; I see the senior TD as the journeyman position. You need to know the basic rules AND the theory behind them.

You to understand where to tailor them when you are outside the box

[Allen]

@BIRDSMAN

Perhaps I am wrong; I see the senior TD as the journeyman position. You need to know the basic rules AND the theory behind them.

You to understand where to tailor them when you are outside the box

I agree with you.

FYI
There are only around 250 Senior TDs nationwide. It is a pretty small group.

[nolan]

There are around 225 (corrected figure) current certified senior TDs, but only about 150 of them have served as the chief TD of an event in the last 20 months. Another 50 have been listed as working in some lesser capacity (section chief, etc) in an event in the last 20 months.

Total active TDs by type since 1/1/2016:

Club: 1033
Local: 642
Senior: 202
ANTD: 17
NTD: 57

[DENTONCHESS]

@nolan

There are around 225 (corrected figure) current certified senior TDs, but only about 150 of them have served as the chief TD of an event in the last 20 months. Another 50 have been listed as working in some lesser capacity (section chief, etc) in an event in the last 20 months.

Total active TDs by type since 1/1/2016:

Club: 1033
Local: 642
Senior: 202
ANTD: 17
NTD: 57

I think I would be willing to bet that a good number of the events in which the Senior TD has been listed in a secondary status it was for the
sole purpose of training the next generation to assume higher responsibility levels. Something I do myself, quite frequently. Look, my experience tells me that the only way to really learn HOW to do something, is to do it.

Rob Jones