WCC Lending Library Is Available

Hi Chess People!  

Really excited to tell you that due to some very gracious donations and the patience and work of Jim Nickell, the WCC has a lending library available for you to use.

We use LibraryThing to manage the collection.  You don't need to sign up for anything.  Just click that link and you should see the WCC Lending Library Collection on the library page.  I also put a permanent link to the Lending Library in the Links section on the blog.

We have just short of 150 books for you to use.  The process is simple.  

1. Browse the library and look for a book you'd like to read
• There's a search box in the top right corner
• I've tried to tag books as best I can (lmk if you think I've gotten something wrong)
• The tags I used are:
• tactics, openings, strategy, endgame, game collection, tournament, biography, history, instruction-beginner, instruction-general, instruction-advanced, checkers, novel
• There's some tradeoff between keeping the number of categories both descriptive and small - if you think there's something better, let me know
2. Comment here or send me an email at chess@demastri.com saying that you'd like to borrow a book.
3. We'll use our regular Wed meetings to deliver / return books.  I'll bring the book to the next meeting for you to pick it up.  If there's lots of volume or demand, I'll see about something more automated.
4. When you're done (we can start with a 28 day window to read the book), bring the book back and you're done!  Let me know if you want to keep the book longer.  

We have everything from openings, strategy, tactics, many game and tournament collections - even a checkers book and a novel!  (amazingly not Queen's Gambit, though...anyone want to donate their copy?)  Unfortunately, some are in descriptive notation, and a couple are in Russian or Polish (or some other crazy language...).  Ask if you have questions about anything.

If you want to read something not in the library, just let me know - I'll search my library and ask around...  the board might even buy a book here and there for something that might be generally useful (my thoughts, not the board's....)

Who reads books when everything's online?  Lots of people.  Not all of us are 100 years old.  Sometimes having a paper book allows you to focus a little more.  Sometimes it's just easier to organize your thoughts with a book next to a real board.  If you're under 20, try it!!  You might like it!

Some of the commentary (opening tracts, esp.) may be a little dated, but guess what?  Your opponent isn't likely playing 30 moves of the latest theory in the Benko (for example).  Reading Pal Benko's thoughts on the opening, even from his 1973 book, will likely give you a deeper understanding of the IDEAS behind the opening than a 2024/5 Chessbase dump of 2700+ GM games will.  Ideas rarely go out of style, and when you're out of book (lol - see what I did there) at move 4, they're all you really have left.  Give some of these a try!

And if you don't happen to read books anymore...think about donating the 4 shelves of books I know you have to WCC - I'll get them loaded and tagged for others to read.  A book on a shelf is fun to look at, but there's nothing more exciting than seeing a kid (well, anyone, but especially a kid) with that book in their hands actually reading.

Like all things - let me know if you have any thoughts or ideas about this.  See you Wed.

John D - WCC Librarian (I guess...?)

o/b/o Jim Nickell - WCC Librarian Emeritus (I'm certain)

Don't Be cRule - Keeping Score

Hi - it's Monday - lots of WCC presence in Madison this weekend.  Let's talk about something that seems simple but has raised some issues in several recent events - scorekeeping.

Keeping Score and Taking Notes

I know what you're thinking.  We've all been playing for a while, we know how to keep score.  OK.  Can you quickly answer these questions??

1. What do you have to "keep" when you're keeping score (and what can't you keep...)? (spoiler 1: keep score, DON'T TAKE NOTES)
2. When can you avoid keeping score at all?  (spoiler 2: for standard games, almost never)
3. I'm in time trouble - when can I stop keeping score?
4. Why bother keeping score?  Does it matter if your score isn't always complete?  Can I "catch up" if my score is missing or wrong?
5. What electronic devices are approved for USCF play, and when can they be used?

If you are certain you got 5/5, great, you have the rest of your morning back.  If not, read on :)   For those of you scoring at home (or even if you're by yourself*) we're recapping things in Rule 15 - The Recording of Games and Rule 20C - Use of notes prohibited.

What do I have to do / what can't I do?

In a USCF standard rated game YOU ARE REQUIRED to keep score.  It can be algebraic or descriptive, and I've seen juniors keeping score on a picture-based "fill-in-the-blank" scoresheet.  The most important things to know regarding scoresheet usage are:

• You must keep a record of the moves for all USCF standard rated games
• The proper method is to make the move on the board FIRST, and THEN record it on your scoresheet.  
• Your scoresheet is REQUIRED to be visible to a TD/arbiter and your opponent at ALL times during the game.  

These last two are fairly recent changes to keep USCF in alignment with FIDE.

Rule 15A (Variation 1) allows players (at TD discretion) to write the move on the scoresheet first, but note: repeatedly altering moves on the scoresheet prior to completing a move on the board is considered notetaking and is prohibited under Rule 20C, subject to a likely warning for first violation and penalty for subsequent violations. Note that this differs from FIDE, where you are required to follow the proper procedure:  move on board before hitting clock and writing it down.

You are allowed to track header information, time used and draw offers on the scoresheet.  Nothing else is listed as acceptable under Rule 20C.

Do I really have to??

Yes, but...  If you have a legitimate reason to not keep score (physical or religious reasons are explicitly listed), the TD may grant you a waiver or provide assistance in keeping score.  If you are waived, the TD should deduct time from your clock to offset the obligation your opponent must still meet.  Note that if you do not keep score, you may not be able to make certain claims, such as 3-fold repetition of position (14C), a 50-move draw claim (14F) or a win on time forfeit in a non-sudden death time control.

Plus...how can you review it (first by hand, then check with an engine later, right??) if you don't have a game score?  You are reviewing your games, aren't you??  You should start.  Review losses before wins - we can only get better if we understand our mistakes.

What if we're really short of time???

If the game has a delay/increment of 30+ seconds, it doesn't matter, you must keep score all the way through any time control including sudden death.  If not, you can stop when either player has less than five minutes remaining on their clock in the current time control.

As noted above, you may not be able to make certain draw claims without a complete scoresheet.  You cannot claim a win on time in a non-sudden death time control without a complete scoresheet.  Once the non-sudden death control has passed, both players must start keeping score again, and scores must filled in to be as accurate as possible.

Example: 40/120, SD/30, and you both scramble and stop keeping score at move 37 - you cannot claim a win on time if your opponent oversteps the first time control unless you have a correct scoresheet.  You can always claim a win on time in a sudden death time control.  

Note that WCC events typically use only sudden death time controls.

Making claims and catching up

Keeping score can be a chore, but having a complete scoresheet allows you to support a number of claims.  The three mentioned above are the most common: 3-fold repetition of position (14C), a 50-move draw claim (14F) or a win on time forfeit in a non-sudden death time control.  Other claims, such as an illegal move (11D), can also be easier to convince a TD with a complete scoresheet.

If your scoresheet is incomplete or incorrect, such as after a time control is reached, you can ask to review your opponent's scoresheet as long as you 1) ask on your time, and 2) both of you have at least 5 minutes in the current time control.  If your opponent refuses, a TD may direct their compliance (see the Don't Be cRule note on Getting a TD Ruling...).  Note that after a time scramble to reach a time control, or similar, both players are obligated to keep score from there and to fill in the prior missed moves as accurately as possible.

You are allowed to "peek over at" your opponent's scoresheet if you can read it - as noted above, it is required to stay visible at all times - but this might seem a little weird... My guideline, not a rule, would be to ask to review it if you really need to.

Electronic Scoresheets

By rule, the only electronic scoresheets permissible are those approved by the appropriate governing body (couldn't find a definitive FIDE list although Clono appears to be approved if provided by the arbiter or organizer under FIDE Rules of Chess Article 8, here's the USCF List from Sep 2024) and published as such.  Be warned: There are very few devices actually on this list.  Any other electronic scoresheet is permissible only at the discretion of the TD for USCF play.  

The purpose of this rule is to prevent a device that could run an engine from being misused at the chessboard.  Typically, it means that a notation app running on a regular consumer phone or tablet will usually be considered impermissible, while dedicated electronic scoresheet devices are considered more secure, and are more likely to be allowed.

Always follow the correct procedure when using electronic scoresheets: make the move on the board, then enter it on the scoresheet.  Entering the move on an electronic scoresheet prior to making it on the board - especially for scoresheets displayed as a chessboard - may be considered notetaking, subject to warning or penalty.

TL;DR for Keeping Score

• Make your move on the board, then write it on your scoresheet
• You must keep score for the entire game if the current delay / increment is at least 30 seconds.  If not, you may both stop when you or your opponent have less than 5 min  remaining in the current time control.
• Your scoresheet must be visible to the TD/arbiter and your opponent at ALL times
• You can ask your opponent to review their scoresheet if needed - both players are expected to catch up after a time control has been reached
• Don't Take Notes - only track header info, moves, time used and draw offers - don't write and/or alter candidate moves before making them on the board
• Having a complete game score can help support some draw or rule violation claims

* there will never be another Big Show :(

Don't Be cRule - How to Properly Offer a Draw

Proper Offering of Draws

Many junior (and even some experienced players…) think that it’s okay to just throw a draw offer at their opponent at any time, or, worse, to ask for a draw every couple of moves.  A player may offer a draw to their opponent, but there is a proper protocol to follow.    Hopefully these notes will help you know when it’s legal to offer a draw, how to do it, and when you should just hold off on offering a draw to your opponent.

Remember that when the clock is running, the player who is on-move has the right to not have their thinking disturbed.  This includes being disturbed with a draw offer from their opponent.  A draw offer should be made on your time, after making your move on the board (formally, this is called “determining” your move in the rules) and before pressing your clock (formally “completing” your move).

Note that any draw offer made is live and cannot be withdrawn.  This includes offers made incorrectly, say when their opponent is on-move.

If an offer is made prior to making a move, the opponent can request that the opponent make their move before considering it.  Note that this is not necessary to state – the offer made cannot be withdrawn, and if made prior to making a move, the offering player’s clock will be running.  Eventually the offering player will have to make a move or they will flag.  If they don’t realize this, and ask for a decision (such as “Well, do you accept?”), their opponent is still within their rights to see a move first (and can reply with something like “Let’s see a move first.”).  Even here, it’s important to note that the offer cannot be withdrawn.

Once any offer is made, the opponent can consider it, on their time, and either accept it or reject it verbally or by making a move themselves.

Etiquette for draw offers

What follows here are not hard rules, but good guidelines, especially in a social environment like club play.

·       In all cases, ASSUME BEST INTENT from your opponent.  Players at different strengths or even just different temperaments see different things in a position.  One player may think (correctly or not!!) that a particular King and Pawn formation is dead drawn.  The other doesn’t realize this, or perhaps knows how to convert a complex position.  Either way, they have a right to play on, and it doesn’t mean they are being disrespectful by declining.  Even if a position is theoretically drawn, your opponent may still ask you (by declining a draw) to prove it.  The use of delay clocks means that time should not be an issue in clearly drawn situations.

·       One general rule is “Offer a draw if you think your opponent won’t know how to make any progress.”  This can happen for several reasons, and changes based on the strength of your opponent.  Note that this doesn’t mean you should offer a draw when you’re worse.  It’s OK to offer a draw if you see that your worse, BUT don’t think your opponent will see why or know how to beat you in that position.

·       In general, if you’re down material without counterplay, don’t offer a draw, and certainly don’t offer it more than once.  If you’re clearly worse, your opponent knows you will take a draw and will offer one if they prefer it (say, down on time or winning requires particularly difficult technique).

·       If you have offered a draw and it was declined, consider it like “passing the speaking stick” – your opponent should be the next to offer the draw if no progress has been made, or the position hasn’t significantly changed.  You’ve signaled that you’re likely to be okay with a draw.  When they come to realize that it’s drawn, they will offer the draw back to you.  This is one of the things that is covered by rule – Rule 20G allows TD to impose a penalty for annoying behavior, which would include multiple draw offers when worse or without significant changes in the position.

TL;DR for offering a draw

• DO
• Be on move
• Make your move first
• Offer a draw to your opponent
• Finally, hit your clock to complete your move
• DON'T
• Don't offer another draw unless circumstances of the position or clock have materially changed
• Don’t take offense at a draw request or a declined offer.  Remember, players see different possibilities (correct or not) in a position based on their relative strength and experience

Don't Be cRule - Getting a Ruling During a Game

How to get a ruling during a game, and game interruptions generally

There are many reasons that a game may get interrupted, some out of the players’ control – clock is defective, board shifts and piece locations are disrupted, as well as some under the player’s control – claim of draw or win or any rule or conduct question that can’t be resolved by the players alone.  

Once anything happens that causes you to deviate from normal game play, the player noticing an issue has the right to stop the running clock until that issue is resolved – this note primarily follows Rules 21F and 16Q as well as others for specific instances.  Note that simply offering a draw, rather than a draw claim, is done with the clocks running, while the offering player is on move.

With clocks stopped, state your view, and in the overwhelming majority of cases, the players will agree (“Yes, I inadvertently knocked that R over, let me replace it on a1”).  If players can resolve it yourselves, that’s the ideal path.  Take the agreed action, restart the clocks and continue.  Note also that, frequently, for small issues like the one above, the entire process can be resolved within just a few seconds, and the players may not feel the need to stop clocks.  This is certainly acceptable.

Note that in many cases, a player loses the right to make a claim or obtain a ruling if they do not make that claim immediately.  One such case is for an illegal move (Rule 11D), where the player can make a claim up until the point where they complete their next move.

In all cases, ASSUME BEST INTENT from your opponent.  If there is a disagreement about a rule or how to proceed, please don’t let this escalate into something personal.  You’re both deeply invested in achieving exactly opposite goals over the board.  Emotions frequently get involved.  Don’t let that translate into any animus towards the player.  Chess is a civil abstraction of a violent conflict that occurs over the board played between gentlemen and ladies (quaint, I know, but it’s an aspiration…).  Retain your composure and earn that reputation IRL while the issue gets resolved.  Arguing about an issue only guarantees that you’ll just be having the same disagreement, only louder.  Please consider the players around you.  Fortunately, there’s always a party you can appeal to for a binding resolution to your issue:  The Tournament Director (TD).

At this point, clocks are stopped, you’ve exchanged a few words to establish that you disagree about how to proceed.  Stop there.  The initiating player should find a TD and explain the issue.  The TD will come to the table and make sure by talking to both players that a) they understand the facts, and that b) they understand the resolution requested by each player.  If both players do not agree on the facts, the TD has resources allowing them to get as close as possible to the unbiased truth of the situation, including consulting with spectators or other players in some cases.

The TD at this point will refer to the rules if needed, find and apply the appropriate rule(s) and issue their judgment allowing play to proceed.   For the course of play, this judgment is binding on both players and the game will continue accordingly. 

Players have the right to appeal a ruling but note that the TD may reserve a decision on the appeal and ask that play continue before it is heard.  If this occurs please continue the game under protest.  If the appealing player wins, the appeal becomes moot.  Review Rule 12H for more details.

TL;DR for getting a ruling

• ·       Stop the clock
• ·       State the issue to your opponent and quickly resolve if possible ** preferred outcome **
•         Don’t argue about anything – there's no point, the TD will resolve the issue
•         Get a TD
•         Explain the case
•         TD will issue ruling
•         Play will proceed from there

Don’t Be cRule – New Post Series

I’ll occasionally be posting on rules matters that show up in WCC or other local events as TDs discuss them. 

I hold a Local TD certification but there are a number of Senior TDs in our local rota, and I certainly rely on them when necessary (with attribution). 

I’ll usually cover one or two topics in each post, and I’ll try to begin with OTB ground rules and common scenarios. Even if you’re an experienced player, it may help (or even save you ½ point here and there) to be well acquainted with these… 

Items on my initial list to cover include:

• Getting rulings during a game
• How to offer a draw properly
• How to claim a draw properly (not the same thing as above...)
• Keeping score, taking notes, electronic scoresheets

You can always drop me a line at chess@demastri.com if you want to see anything covered.

John DeMastri

chess@demastri.com

Archive:

Dec '24 - Getting a Ruling During a Game

Dec '24 - How to Properly Offer a Draw

Dec '24 - Keeping Score

Early Winter Swiss - Round 3 projected pairings

Open - Round 3 Pairing Sheet
Board     White                                                     Black
101. ___ Klandrud, Kevin (2.0,1612)         ___ Mishra, Ashish Kumar (2.0,1942)
102. ___ De Mastri, John (1.5,1671)           ___ Mccutchin, Clark O. (1.5,1900)
103. ___ Coons, James Jay (1.5,1789)         ___ Chaveriat, Lee (1.5,1272)
104. ___ Seaman, Christopher (1.0,1232)   ___ Grochowski, Robin J (1.0,1765)
105. ___ Sabarish, Shravan (1.0,1342)        ___ Nickell, James W (1.0,1506)
106. ___ Reed, Adisa M (1.0,1471)              ___ Worman, Quinn (1.0,1106)
107. ___ Sloan, Nicholas (0.5,1794)             ___ Kakumanu, Veda Anish, (1.0,795)
108. ___ Kerns, Benjamin (0.5,1645)         ___ Albiter Benitez, Abra (0.5,1445)
109. ___ Simonis, Thomas A (0.5,1325)     ___ Gendloff, Elie (0.0,1635)
110. ___ Quist, Randy (0.0,1027)                ___ Gundlach, Mike (0.0,1061)

Reserve - Round 3 Pairing Sheet
Board     White                                                     Black
201. ___ Mohapatra, Devyanshu (2.0,922)     ___ Akkina, Jaswanth (2.0,605)
202. ___ Butler, Michael S (1.5,824)                 ___ Everette, Samuel (1.0,762)
203. ___ Sabarish, Shashwath (0.5,764)          ___ Klass, Ralph F (1.0,558)
204. ___ Yadav, Kush (1.0,400)                        ___ Dasari, Gautham (1.0,nnnn)
205. ___ Jampani, Aaditya V (0.0,nnnn)        ___ Mading, James E (0.5,698)
Please Wait Borowski, Thomas Anton (0.0,141)

Early Winter Swiss - Crosstables after round 2

Open Cross Table, Page 1
No. Gr Name                                                 St Rate Rd 1 Rd 2         Score
1. Mishra, Ashish Kumar (1) .................. OH 1942 W9     W8             2.0
2. Klandrud, Kevin (9) ............................ WI 1612 W19  W11             2.0
3. Mccutchin, Clark O. (2) ...................... WI 1900 -H-    W17             1.5
4. Coons, James Jay (4) ........................ WI 1789 D16     W12             1.5
5. De Mastri, John (6) ............................ WI 1671 D6     W16             1.5
6. Chaveriat, Lee (15) ............................ WI 1272 D5     W18             1.5
7. Grochowski, Robin J (5) .................... WI 1765 D17     D10             1.0
8. Nickell, James W (10) ........................ WI 1506 W13    L1                1.0
9. Reed, Adisa M (11) ............................ WI 1471 L1      W19             1.0
10. Sabarish, Shravan (13) ...................... WI 1342 -H-     D7               1.0
11. Seaman, Christopher (16) ................. WI 1232 W15     L2             1.0
12. Worman, Quinn (17) .......................... WI 1106 W18    L4             1.0
13. Kakumanu, Veda Anish, Jr (20) ......... WI 795 L8     W20             1.0
14. Sloan, Nicholas (3) ............................ WI 1794 -H-     -N-             0.5
15. Kerns, Benjamin (7) ........................... WI 1645 L11     -H-            0.5
16. Albiter Benitez, Abraham (12) ............ WI 1445 D4     L5             0.5
17. Simonis, Thomas A (14) .................... WI 1325 D7     L3              0.5
18. Gendloff, Elie (8) ................................ WI 1635 L12     L6            0.0
19. Gundlach, Mike (18) .......................... WI 1061 L2        L9             0.0
20. Quist, Randy (19) .............................. WI 1027 -U-     L13             0.0

Reserve Cross Table
No. Gr Name                                             St Rate Rd 1         Rd 2         Score
1. Mohapatra, Devyanshu (1) ................ WI 922 W7             W6           2.0
2. Akkina, Jaswanth (7) ......................... WI 605 W12         W8             2.0
3. Landey, Charles N (2) ........................ WI 848 -H-             W9           1.5
4. Butler, Michael S (3) .......................... WI 824 -H-             W10         1.5
5. Everette, Samuel (5) .......................... WI 762 L8               W11         1.0
6. Klass, Ralph F (8) .............................. WI 558 W11             L1         1.0
7. Yadav, Kush (9) ................................. WI 400 L1             W12         1.0
8. Dasari, Gautham (11) ........................ WI nnnn W5             L2         1.0
9. Sabarish, Shashwath (4) ................... WI 764 -H-                 L3         0.5
10. Mading, James E (6) ......................... WI 698 -H-             L4         0.5
11. Borowski, Thomas Anton (10) ........... WI 141 L6             L5         0.0
12. Jampani, Aaditya V (12) .................... WI nnnn L2             L7         0.0