Rule 5B2

[ericmark]

@BobMessenger

@ericmark

Here is part of an email I received today, about an upcoming rated tournament; the info is copied from the organizer’s no-frills Web site. I am near-certain there is no TLA for this event. Assuming the revised rule takes effect next year, what happens? Does the office staff scan the 'Web searching for stuff like this? Or do they wait to get an unlikely complaint or question from a player?

Quads at the Moose
Sunday June 8th
Registration 10:30-11:00
Entry Fee $12 at site cash only
Time control G/40
Prize 1st in each quad $35
if perfect 3-0 $40
Quad may be changed to swiss depending on number of entries
USCF membership required

The email and website would violate the rule since they don’t specify the delay or increment. I don’t think it should be up to the USCF office to search the web for rules violations like this. The office should make sure that the delay or increment is specified in TLAs (which wouldn’t apply in this case if there is no TLA) and refer any complaints to the TDCC.

Come to think of it I’m not sure the TDCC is the right committee for this since the organizer isn’t necessarily a certified TD, but since we don’t have a committee to supervise organizers and (I would guess) most organizers are also TDs it’s the best choice I can think of.

Over-legislation. What worst-case is this intended to avoid? I don’t know a case where the web site, fliers and email fail to specify a delay, but players show up and find the delay is zero, or 10 seconds, or whatever, then complain. Not once have I heard of that. (And the organizer/TD would not last long in his market, anyway, if he kept that up.)

Also, I have been pleasantly surprised not to have heard of a single case of a player/chess lawyer who tried to insist that lack of a specified delay equals NO delay. I don’t get out much these days; maybe I missed it. Has anyone seen this happen, or even heard of it?

I applaud the effort and understand the intent—but it’s over-legislation. Players have finally accepted that five-second delay is standard in Regular-rated games, barring a clear announcement otherwise. That’s good enough.