Hi all
Following
a recent incident, the S&DCA Executive has asked me to remind club
secretaries and captains about the situation with mobile phones and other
electronic devices.
The
FIDE rules state that, "During a game, a player is forbidden to have
an electronic device not specifically approved...in the playing
venue." Note that electronic devices include mobile telephones,
smart watches, and any other device capable of suggesting or transmitting
moves and that the playing venue is the whole building including toilets,
refreshment area, smoking area, etc. and not just the playing area itself.
The
rules go on to say that "If it is evident that a player has such a
device on their person in the playing venue, the player shall lose the
game. The opponent shall win."
This
all sounds very draconian but is part of FIDE's anti-cheating
regulations. However, as a relatively minor association the S&DCA
are allowed to follow different, less severe, regulations and we allow such
electronic devices in the playing area as long as they are completely switched
off and stored, ideally, in a bag placed under the table (in practice, many
players switch their phone off and place it upside down next to the
board).
It is
good practice for team captains to remind players to power off their
devices at the start of each match, probably at the same time that board
pairings, refreshment and toilet facilities are read out. There may
be certain circumstances when a player may seek an exemption (e.g. a doctor
on call). Such exemption requests should be sought and agreed by both
captains prior to the match starting.
Best
wishes
Geoff
Brown
General
Secretary, Sheffield & District Chess Association
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