What is the usual response when a TD shows a young player how he/she could have one the game after it has finished?
(game ends in a draw after 100 or so moves and TD sets up pieces to show how the game could have ended much earlier in a checkmate)
I’m not sure I understand the question. Are you asking if the player breaks down in tears when the TD (or any spectator for that matter) points out the mate in one that the player missed?
It’s not unusual for players after the game to analyze with the TD or other spectators.
Alex Relyea
No. No crying or upset by either player.
Round 3 of 6 in a tournament consisting of several schools K-12
only players left that haven’t finished their game
Game finally stopped after about 100+ moves (only three pieces on the board)
TD sets up several pieces to show one player what he/she could have done earlier in the game to win - in essence coaching during the course of a tournament.
Is this something that should have occured?
The player says “Thank You”.
The only issue for the TD is whether it interferes with his other duties. Sounds like it was the last game in the round so there would be no problem analyzing in the room. Did the TD have time to pair the next round before the posted start time?
In general, giving advice to players after the game, answering their questions, analyzing with them, etc is an added benefit that the TD is providing. (Assuming of course, that it doesn’t interfere with his primary tasks.) Players commonly ask me to look at their games and if I have time I will.
I agree with the advice given in this thread. As long as the TD is not neglecting official duties (such as observing a game where there is time pressure), and as long as it does not disturb other players, I think the TD has done nothing wrong.
I believe it’s important to note that the question mentions a “young player.” While the TD’s obligation is to enforce the rules fairly and uniformly, I also believe the TD should make the event as enjoyable as possible for the players.
How did the game end? When you say finally stopped, did the players stop the game or did the director stop the game?
Strange, … the director has the time to point out different moves during the tournament. If the game is over, the director, the players can go over the game. If it is just to point out a few moves, only a few minutes, not a big deal.
The game was called a draw by the official.
The kids didn’t ask, official offered. I just thought that the time for coaching would be any place other than during the course of a tournament, and not by an official. Let me ask you this: If you had a team at an event, TD was coaching a kid on the opposing team as to why he/she lost, would that be ok? Wouldn’t you prefer to be the one coaching, away from opposing team? Wouldn’t you prefer your kid be taking a break before the next round?
With adult tournaments, if the director has free time, do not see the problem with the director pointing out simple different moves with different positions on the board after the game. If I have a team, and the director was pointing out the position after the game, with the player that did play against one of my members of the team. In fact, do not have a problem with that. If the director was spending a great deal of time with this game, as a director would have a problem why the director is burning so much free time on one game. Directors do have more free time with adult tournaments than scholastic tournaments. There is a limit amount of free time any given director does have.
The team is to work as a social unit, but they also have to learn to be social with other teams as well. Even if the players are on the same team, for some tournaments they will face each other in the same tournament for the same common goal. Building a team to understand how they can work with each other and also work against each other for some tournaments. Will in the end form respect for each others skills, and respect for the other chessplayers as well.
Having the director or even the other coach pointing out ideas for their team or my team would not be a problem.
I once watched a young player who didn’t know a basic checkmate (K+R vs K) play 50 moves at which point his opponent requested and was awarded a draw.
Afterwards I showed the player the basics of the K+R checkmate.
As long as it doesn’t interfere with the TD’s duties (this was a club event), I don’t have any problems with it.
I DO have problems with TDs spending all their time playing in the skittles room and ignoring their duties (assuming they’re not on a break), and I have fired at least two assistant TDs DURING THE EVENT for doing that. I have also had one assistant TD quit when I suggested he needed to stop playing skittles and check on the games in his section, several of which were approaching time control.
You seem to be too concerned about results. The best long-term result for the player is if he learns something from that game - and it’s likely that a quick pointer from the TD will help in that. I see too many coaches who are more concerned about their teams winning prizes (and getting the credit for that themselves) than with helping their students actually learn. The players should be thankful that the TD was willing to help them when he saw something that they should know.
If this concerns you, then it’s really up to you to tell your team members not to accept advice from anyone and to report for coaching or a break immediatley following their games. Most players don’t care what team someone plays for and are eager to help anyone and offer whatever advice they can. Whether or not you want your students to take the game extremley competivley or not is up to you. But, IMHO, I think you’ll end up with better players (and players who enjoy the game more) if you not only allow them to accept advice from anyone, but encourage them to give advice and analyze games with other players without regard to which team they play for.