Adhiban forfeits game for wearing (analog) watch...

[Kerry Liles]

See tweet here: https://twitter.com/CazHansen/status...728410112?s=09

After playing his 9th move against CRG Krishna, he was declared lost as he was wearing a wrist watch during the game.

[Peter McKillop]

Maybe tournament rules don't permit the use of a second (hand). : l

[Aris Marghetis]

Dang. I wear my wristwatch ONLY when I play, as it's the only time in life I don't have my phone!

[Kerry Liles]

One of the comments I saw about this was that the regulation is set to include all kinds of watches because some digital watches can be set up to masquerade as 'analogue' (seriously?) and it was impossible to draft a rule that would cover all cases... I know some watches can have multiple displays including a plain analogue view but when you see a watch with actual hands it is hard to imagine using that to communicate in any way. I guess we are into the absurd now.

[Brad Thomson]

What would the ruling be if a player had his opening repertoire permanently tattooed onto his forearms? Would he be forced to wear long-sleeved shirts and keep his arms covered? Would a referee have to accompany him to the toilet to make sure he removed only his pants? But then what if his repertoire was also tattooed permanently onto his legs as well? Would he be forced to use the toilet with the lights out?

[Aris Marghetis]

What would the ruling be if a player had his opening repertoire permanently tattooed onto his forearms? Would he be forced to wear long-sleeved shirts and keep his arms covered? Would a referee have to accompany him to the toilet to make sure he removed only his pants? But then what if his repertoire was also tattooed permanently onto his legs as well? Would he be forced to use the toilet with the lights out?

God Brad, I kept laughing more and more as I read through your post!!

[Henri Hughes]

God Brad, I kept laughing more and more as I read through your post!!

it kept me me entertained through and through. maybe ill get this as my first tattoo :)

[Kerry Liles]

The arbiter weighs in: https://chessbase.in/news/Arbiters-v...watch-incident

It seems there are a number of digital watches that can indeed masquerade as analogue looking watches, so I guess that more or less confirms the comment I first reported. It seems the Indian Chess Federation anticipated this issue and specifically adopted the blanket rule of "no watches" to remove any burden of proof on the arbiters.

Edit note: perhaps there are both digital watches than can just look like analogue and hybrid watches that have an analogue face but also have some digital capabilities. I guess it is as confusing as it was feared.

[Francis Rodriguez]

I tried a prosthetic ear loaded with Stockfish, but it
kept being contrary - when I essayed The Sicilian
it played The Irishman, and I got taken out!

[Ken Craft]

Just when you thought chess rules couldn't get any more stupid...

[David Ottosen]

Just when you thought chess rules couldn't get any more stupid...

This rule is anything but stupid. The players should know the rules and follow them.

[Kerry Liles]

I believe Ken is probably lamenting the fact that FIDE rules now (apparently) have to account for nearly every situation and technology advancement... that is regrettable but likely not avoidable.

I noticed today that there was another watch forfeit:

https://www.chessbase.in/news/Swati-...-Tania-Sachdev

in this case, the (deputy) arbiter noticed the player sporting (ha!) a watch and the game was forfeited despite her opponent's indication she would prefer the game continue... The player who lost was WGM Swati Ghate and her opponent was IM Tania Sachdev. Very noble of Tania Sachdev but the arbiter(s) felt they could not make an exception and the rule allowed no latitude. Note in this case the opponent did not make a complaint - it was actioned by the arbiter.

[Adam Cormier]

I believe Ken is probably lamenting the fact that FIDE rules now (apparently) have to account for nearly every situation and technology advancement... that is regrettable but likely not avoidable.

I noticed today that there was another watch forfeit:

https://www.chessbase.in/news/Swati-...-Tania-Sachdev

in this case, the (deputy) arbiter noticed the player sporting (ha!) a watch and the game was forfeited despite her opponent's indication she would prefer the game continue... The player who lost was WGM Swati Ghate and her opponent was IM Tania Sachdev. Very noble of Tania Sachdev but the arbiter(s) felt they could not make an exception and the rule allowed no latitude. Note in this case the opponent did not make a complaint - it was actioned by the arbiter.

This arbiter seems to be having a power-trip, the IM who actually benefits instead wanted to play a game of chess against a strong opponent, and instead her preference was completely overruled.

[Kerry Liles]

This arbiter seems to be having a power-trip, the IM who actually benefits instead wanted to play a game of chess against a strong opponent, and instead her preference was completely overruled.

It seems the rule (as interpreted by the Indian Chess Federation) does not involve the wishes of either player.
It was not that Tania Sachdev's preference was overruled - it was irrelevant.