English Chess Forum

Is this the beginning of the end???

http://en.chessbase.com/post/anti-cheat ... u-olympiad

"During the forthcoming Olympiad we will make some precautionary measures. Of course, there will be gates for security. It's mainly for security but it will also produce a sound if someone has anything small in the pocket. The players will be not allowed to bring mobiles, watches and pens. The organizers will provide pens for every player"

It seems safe to bet that they won't work.

No way can I play without my transparent black Bic.

Don't see anything wrong with the principle of provided pens only for a much smaller event. Slightly paranoid but minimal harm.

For an entire olympiad? That could make for quite an impressive mess. That and arbiters being rushed off their feet providing pens that work

Ban lucky grollies next.

"The players will be not allowed to bring mobiles, watches and pens. The organizers will provide pens for every player"

One practical difference with the organisers providing pens instead of players is if it stops working.

If my own pen stops working it's my problem to find another one to write down my last move before making another one.

If a pen supplied by the organisers stops working I'd be entitled to stop the clock and report the faulty pen to the arbiter for them to deal with.

NickFaulks wrote:It seems safe to bet that they won't work.

They will need to rush through an amendment to the FIDE Laws of Chess allowing a player to stop the clock and call the arbiter if they have any difficulties with the pen.

Edit: re Ian Thompson - SNAP!

MartinCarpenter wrote:Don't see anything wrong with the principle of provided pens

I do, I can guarantee that around move 30 it will stop working. I realise you mentioned that point yourself.

I always take a pencil, which is less likely to fail.

EDIT - There seems to be a high degree of agreement here!

Nick, I realise I inadvertently gave the solution to the problem in my edit to my previous post. Players should, of course, 'accidentally' snap their competition supplied pens until they run out.

Feck sake, we do like to comment on pointless little things; it is more little in the near future no pen will be needed

Alan Walton wrote:Feck sake, we do like to comment on pointless little things; it is more little in the near future no pen will be needed

Whatever your views on pens, one thing they don't conventionally lack is a point.

Players not being allowed watches, whatever next?

Alan Walton wrote:Feck sake, we do like to comment on pointless little things; it is more little in the near future no pen will be needed

There'd be much more on the forum if the organisers wished to stop players from bringing their own sandwiches

Jonathan Rogers wrote:

Alan Walton wrote:Feck sake, we do like to comment on pointless little things; it is more little in the near future no pen will be needed

There'd be much more on the forum if the organisers wished to stop players from bringing their own sandwiches

Oy!
Don't give them ideas!

First they came for the watches. Then they came for the pens. Then they came for the sandwiches. Finally they came for the flasks of tea and coffee!

Brian Towers wrote:

Jonathan Rogers wrote:

Alan Walton wrote:Feck sake, we do like to comment on pointless little things; it is more little in the near future no pen will be needed

There'd be much more on the forum if the organisers wished to stop players from bringing their own sandwiches

Oy!
Don't give them ideas!

First they came for the watches. Then they came for the pens. Then they came for the sandwiches. Finally they came for the flasks of tea and coffee!

They already do that in the 4NCL!

12.11 Food and drink may not be consumed within the hotel buildings or the hotel car park unless it has been purchased from the hotel, or is being consumed in the guest’s bedroom. This applies both to players and any accompanying persons.