In the following scenario, I was not the TD nor a player, just an spectator who happen to witness and wonder how would have I handle the situation if I was the TD.
—A player keeps getting up every so often then stand up behind his opponent and seem to study the board from the other side. His opponent complained to the floor TD. The TD asked the standing player what was he doing, his reply is that he is looking at the game at his opponent’s perception. He was warned and told to stop. The guy argued that there are no rules against players standing up. The TD said that it’s against the rule to bother your opponent (I still can not find it in the rule book???), and since his standing up behind his opponent creates inconvenience he is not allowed to continue. After much more discussion, the TD prevails.—
Call it woman’s curiosity, but how are you guys will handle that situation?
Gee, this takes me back to my cultural anthropology and psychology classes as an undergrad.
For most western cultures, someone’s personal space extends to about 18 inches behind them. If the player was standing outside of that zone, I’d probably allow it.
However, psychologists have noted that for paranoids their personal space can be several times larger, and we all know a few paranoid chess players, don’t we?
I once had a player complain that his opponent’s breathing was disturbing him. I did not offer to smother his opponent.
I also had a player who periodically STOOD on his chair to observe the game from that perspective. Most of the players on nearby boards were bothered by that. I told him that the hotel wouldn’t permit that for safety reasons.
It’s covered under 20G, Annoying behavior prohibited. “It is forbidden to distract or annoy the opponent in any manner whatsoever. A director, upon a complaint by the opponent, has discretion to determine whether any particular behavior is in violation of this rule and to impose penalties.” I’m really not willing to say what I would have done in the case you describe without having seen it, but I see no reason to second-guess the TD who was there.
Like what Nolan said, it depends on how he was perceiving the board. If he pulls up a chair next to his opponent and goes into deep thinking mode, I would think it’s annoying. Walking around and looking at the game briefly is a different story.
Agreed. As long as a reasonable amount of personal space is respected, and I observe no annoying behavior, then I have no problems with players looking at their boards from different angles.
Common sense, and a little courtesy goes a long way in handling how and where someone should watch a game from.
Whether I’m a player, spectator or TD I try to keep a distance that allows me to see the board, but not be a distraction to the players.
I have found it annoying when people stand very close to the board while watching my game. I don’t care if the person is my opponent, parent of my opponent or a random spectator I want a certain amount of space. I’ve probably unknowingly shooed away a few TDs while having one of my classic time delay frenzies.
