US Chess rule 16A-Allowable time controls

[Micah_Smith]

US Chess rule 16A says:

16A. Allowable time controls.

The US Chess office maintains a list, available on request, directly from the US Chess office or at uschess.org, of the currently allowable time limits for different types of tournaments. See also 5C, Ratable time controls.

I don’t see why this “rule” needs to be in the rulebook since rule 5C already clearly explains what time controls are allowed for different types of tournaments. People complain that the rulebook is too long and getting rid of pointless stuff like this would help make the rulebook shorter.

[Micah_Smith]

In addition, we should eliminate “rule” 16X which states: “The old rule permitting an extra minute on each side of a mechanical (analog) clock to compensate for possible inaccuracies is no longer in effect”, since there is no need for an old rule like this to be in the rulebook. I’m sure there are many other old rules that are no longer in effect but these aren’t mentioned in the rulebook.

It’s funny that we have a “rule” that simply states a rule is no longer in effect.

[jwiewel]

@Micah Smith

In addition, we should eliminate “rule” 16X which states: “The old rule permitting an extra minute on each side of a mechanical (analog) clock to compensate for possible inaccuracies is no longer in effect”, since there is no need for an old rule like this to be in the rulebook. I’m sure there are many other old rules that are no longer in effect but these aren’t mentioned in the rulebook.

It’s funny that we have a “rule” that simply states a rule is no longer in effect.

When that rule was first added it was quite useful since it could be clearly pointed to as showing that what everybody knew was the rule now was no longer a rule. Otherwise there would have been more arguments about people saying that the rule was to add the one minute and the TD needed to show why it wasn’t being done any more.

After having been in the rulebook for a number of years it may finally be time to retire it in the next edition.

[timjust]

@jwiewel

@Micah Smith

In addition, we should eliminate “rule” 16X which states: “The old rule permitting an extra minute on each side of a mechanical (analog) clock to compensate for possible inaccuracies is no longer in effect”, since there is no need for an old rule like this to be in the rulebook. I’m sure there are many other old rules that are no longer in effect but these aren’t mentioned in the rulebook.

It’s funny that we have a “rule” that simply states a rule is no longer in effect.

When that rule was first added it was quite useful since it could be clearly pointed to as showing that what everybody knew was the rule now was no longer a rule. Otherwise there would have been more arguments about people saying that the rule was to add the one minute and the TD needed to show why it wasn’t being done any more.

After having been in the rulebook for a number of years it may finally be time to retire it in the next edition.

Right you are Jeff. The problem with retirement is a technical one; i.e., it is a rule and rules are under the control of the Delegates.

[Mulfish]

That’s true, Tim, but the Delegates have generally been pretty receptive to an ADM to eliminate an obsolete rule.

[timjust]

@Mulfish

That’s true, Tim, but the Delegates have generally been pretty receptive to an ADM to eliminate an obsolete rule.

It is in their wheelhouse, not mine, to do so.