Local Rules for Mobile Telephones

[John Upham]

The Berkshire Chess Association is attempting to update its rules regarding the use of mobile telephones and other electronic devices during league matches.

This follows a couple of upsetting incidents in which mobile telephones were used by players while games were in progress.

Indeed, one player attempted to goad his opponent by suggesting he could take his telephone into the toilet and it didn't matter because it was "only" a local league match and they didn't matter.

What are your local (not 4NCL) rules on these matters?

BCA matches are not yet FIDE rated.

[Roger de Coverly]

This follows a couple of upsetting incidents in which mobile telephones were used by players while games were in progress.

Indeed, one player attempted to goad his opponent by suggesting he could take his telephone into the toilet and it didn't matter because it was "only" a local league match and they didn't matter.

These incidents have not been reported. If this is the reason for proposed rule changes, the circumstances should be published to AGM attendees at the very least.

It was the intention of the existing rules that mobile phones should be out of use for the entire game without the severe penalty of game loss if someone happened to leave it on by accident.

[John Upham]

These incidents have not been reported. If this is the reason for proposed rule changes, the circumstances should be published to AGM attendees at the very least.

They were reported to the League Secretary.

[Roger de Coverly]

They were reported to the League Secretary.

But not the League Controller.

[John Upham]

They were reported to the League Secretary.

But not the League Controller.

Correct.

I have asked the reporter to report to the League Controller also.

[Joey Stewart]

These are the rules about phones in the Gloucester League, they were the result of fairly lengthy discussions at an AGM so hopefully are pretty fair:

Any player whose mobile phone makes an audible noise shall receive a warning (written on the match results sheet) for the first offence claimed and shall lose their game for any subsequent offence during the same game.

(ii) A player who has a reasonable necessity may request permission of the captains to keep their phone switched on in silent mode.

(iii) A player who, without such permission, makes or answers a phone call or text or consults a mobile phone other than to switch it off shall lose their game immediately

[Kevin Thurlow]

Surrey Rules

"2.8.8 If a player's phone or electronic device makes any sound during his game, then on the first
occurrence he shall receive a warning, and for a second offence by the same player in the
same game, he shall lose the game.
2.8.9 Where an offending player loses in accordance with the paragraphs 2.8.7 or 2.8.8 above, his
opponent shall win."

They used to use the FIDE Laws, but then someone had a phone go off (and answered it!) against Coulsdon, so obviously the rule had to be changed to stop that happening again. 2.8.9 must have arrived after I moved from Surrey. I would have noticed and pointed out at the AGM the total stupidity of the rule, as it allows someone to win a game with bare king! I suspect that such games could not be rated as it breaks the Laws of chess.

More sensible is that an earlier rule allows you to have phones or devices on by prior agreement. If you have a medical device keeping you alive and it occasionally makes a sound, then that would be an unfortunate way to lose.

I cannot find a recent copy of Somerset Rules, but I think they're basically "Laws of chess apply"

[GrahamStuart]

Southampton Chess League Rules

8. RULES OF PLAY
Unless otherwise stated, the FIDE laws of chess shall apply and the League Code of Conduct shall act as a guideline as to what is expected from clubs and players.

a) During play, all mobile telephones must be switched off or set to silent, except in the case of a player where there is a special need, as authorised by team captains before the match.
b) If an unauthorised player makes or receives a call, he shall be told by either captain to terminate the call immediately. If the same player makes or receives a further call in the same match, he shall lose the game, provided that the opponent has mating material; - 5 - Revised 29 August 2023
otherwise the game will be recorded as a draw. Any such incident should be reported with the score of the match

Mainly concentrating of phone calls, which is not the use for most mobile phones now.

The Portsmouth and District Chess League does not seem to have anything on mobile phones.

[Roger Lancaster]

Over the years I've come across dispensations for match captains - mainly on the basis that, if for example a member of an away team cannot find the venue, it makes sense for him or her to be able to contact the match captain for guidance even though the match may already have started.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"if for example a member of an away team cannot find the venue, it makes sense for him or her to be able to contact the match captain for guidance even though the match may already have started."

Yes - in fact in one Surrey match, we (home team) told the opposing captain to keep it on as he was clearly agitated that two players were missing. (They did arrive and he then turned it off.)

At one weekender, a player informed me he had to keep his work phone on as he was "on call", I pointed out he would lose if it made a sound, and he said, "If it goes off, I'll have to leave anyway!" Fair point - I suggested he tell his opponents in advance, so he could just grab his coat and run out of the room. Luckily, he had a peaceful weekend.

[ThomasEvans]

Surrey Rules

"2.8.8 If a player's phone or electronic device makes any sound during his game, then on the first
occurrence he shall receive a warning, and for a second offence by the same player in the
same game, he shall lose the game.
2.8.9 Where an offending player loses in accordance with the paragraphs 2.8.7 or 2.8.8 above, his
opponent shall win."

They used to use the FIDE Laws, but then someone had a phone go off (and answered it!) against Coulsdon, so obviously the rule had to be changed to stop that happening again. 2.8.9 must have arrived after I moved from Surrey. I would have noticed and pointed out at the AGM the total stupidity of the rule, as it allows someone to win a game with bare king! I suspect that such games could not be rated as it breaks the Laws of chess.

More sensible is that an earlier rule allows you to have phones or devices on by prior agreement. If you have a medical device keeping you alive and it occasionally makes a sound, then that would be an unfortunate way to lose.

I suspect the point is that if your phone goes off a second time, then it could possibly have been used for cheating (and helping to get your opponent to a bare king), which would make ruling that game a draw pretty silly (as it would allow you to cheat your way towards a draw even if found out) - this is in line with usual FIDE rules. It also gives a little extra incentive to the player to make sure their phone is actually switched off after the first sound!

FIDE rules allow for electronic devices specifically approved by an arbiter to stay on and with a player, and so I would think that leagues would allow any medical devices or phones with a medical function (e.g. blood sugar reader for a diabetic player) to stay on during the game (as a device specifically approved by an arbiter, which tends to be the two team captains in local league matches).

[John Swain]

Nottinghamshire Chess Association League Rules 2024-2025

For the full rules, see: https://www.nottinghamshirechess.org/league-rules

Schedule B – The League
The Laws of Chess, as interpreted by FIDE, must be adhered to. Exceptions or additions to these laws:

b) Mobile phones must be switched off or, by prior agreement with the opponent and opposing captain, set to silent;

Schedule D – Penalties
Player penalties –

b) The first time a player’s phone sounds the opponent shall be awarded two extra minutes. The second time the player’s phone sounds the game is lost, unless the opponent cannot win by legal means, in which case the game shall be drawn.

[NickFaulks]

Why do evening leagues ( by definition not FIDE rated ) have rules penalising a player whose phone goes off? Is it

a) because it is really annoying for everyone in the room, or
b) because it suggests they may be using the phone to cheat, or
c) because other leagues do it?

I'm only asking because it is very difficult to get an answer.

[Mick Norris]

It was a) originally then morphed to b) in Manchester

[Roger de Coverly]

Why do evening leagues ( by definition not FIDE rated ) have rules penalising a player whose phone goes off? Is it

Noise is a nuisance of course, but I would suggest that the real problem is to ensure that the phone is switched off and remains switched off for the entire game. Does that need a penalty to enforce it? One idea is that if a phone (or electronic device) is found to be on, then it is switched off with a penalty applying if it is switched back on, or if the holder refuses to switch it off. That penalty being loss of the game.

I don't have details, but I seem to be hearing a story about a dispute arising when someone refused to switch a phone off. The existing rules don't really seem to cover that possibility as it's assumed that even if it makes a noise, it would be silenced by being powered off.