OTB Chess Tournament laying down pieces?

OTB Chess Tournament laying down pieces?

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I

Joined
18 Dec 11
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11 Jan 12

Would it be illegal in an OTB chess tournament (USCF tournament to be precise) to take your pieces, and rather than have them stand up normally, lay them down awkwardly? Not even saying my opponent would have to do it, too, just could I randomly lay them down on the squares?

I understand they could say "adjust" 16 times and put them back up, and maybe I could say "adjust" 16 more times and lay them back down. But is it legal?

master of disaster

funny farm

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11 Jan 12

Originally posted by IQ
Would it be illegal in an OTB chess tournament (USCF tournament to be precise) to take your pieces, and rather than have them stand up normally, lay them down awkwardly? Not even saying my opponent would have to do it, too, just could I randomly lay them down on the squares?

I understand they could say "adjust" 16 times and put them back up, and maybe I could say "adjust" 16 more times and lay them back down. But is it legal?
It is just as legal as when I, as your opponent, pulled out my gun and shot you for wasting my time.

h
she'll be right mate

WYBMADIITY

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11 Jan 12

Originally posted by IQ
Would it be illegal in an OTB chess tournament (USCF tournament to be precise) to take your pieces, and rather than have them stand up normally, lay them down awkwardly? Not even saying my opponent would have to do it, too, just could I randomly lay them down on the squares?

I understand they could say "adjust" 16 times and put them back up, and maybe I could say "adjust" 16 more times and lay them back down. But is it legal?
and what would the point of doing this be...?

Joined
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11 Jan 12

Laying down your king is not a good idea.

C
Cowboy From Hell

American West

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11 Jan 12

Originally posted by tvochess
Laying down your king is not a good idea.
Anytime my opponent accidently knocks his king over, I extend my hand and smile. 😀

I

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12 Jan 12

Haha, ok you got me there. Though actually a verbal "I resign" is required, but to be safe I would leave that one up.

A Tournament Director told me that the game would be forfeit best cause of USCF Rule 20 A. "Players shall participate in the spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship, . . "

I simply couldn't find any rule that says this is illegal, and took it as similar to "face your opponent to the sun, they'll make a blunder more often" used in old days.

I

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12 Jan 12
1 edit

Originally posted by shortcircuit
It is just as legal as when I, as your opponent, pulled out my gun and shot you for wasting my time.
But I wouldn't go to prison for it 😛

master of disaster

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12 Jan 12

Originally posted by IQ
But I wouldn't go to prison for it 😛
Neither would I.

I am that good. 😛

master of disaster

funny farm

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Originally posted by IQ
Haha, ok you got me there. Though actually a verbal "I resign" is required, but to be safe I would leave that one up.

A Tournament Director told me that the game would be forfeit best cause of USCF Rule 20 A. "Players shall participate in the spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship, . . "

I simply couldn't find any rule that says this is illegal, and too ...[text shortened]... to "face your opponent to the sun, they'll make a blunder more often" used in old days.
You are incorrect, by the way, on the verbal requirement of "I resign".

That is absolutely not correct.
The simple laying of the king on its side is all that is necessary.
I have had opponents do just that in USCF rated tournaments too.

Naturally Right

Somewhere Else

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12 Jan 12

Originally posted by shortcircuit
You are incorrect, by the way, on the verbal requirement of "I resign".

That is absolutely not correct.
The simple laying of the king on its side is all that is necessary.
I have had opponents do just that in USCF rated tournaments too.
USCF Rule 13B. Resignation

Saying I resign or tipping over the king are relatively clear ways to resign.

master of disaster

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Originally posted by no1marauder
USCF Rule 13B. Resignation

Saying I resign or tipping over the king are relatively clear ways to resign.
The key word is "or".

He had indicated you "must say I resign" which is not accurate, as you have concurred.

MR

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12 Jan 12

Here's how I envision the scenario playing out.

The OP lays down all of his pieces except for his king. (He doesn't want his opponent to misinterpret this as a resignation, after all.) Opponent then raises one leg of the table ever so slightly, and 15 of the OP's pieces roll everywhere. Opponent then complains to the TD that he moved 15 pieces in violation of the rules. TD forfeits the OP. 🙂

C
Cowboy From Hell

American West

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12 Jan 12

Originally posted by Mad Rook
Here's how I envision the scenario playing out.

The OP lays down all of his pieces except for his king. (He doesn't want his opponent to misinterpret this as a resignation, after all.) Opponent then raises one leg of the table ever so slightly, and 15 of the OP's pieces roll everywhere. Opponent then complains to the TD that he moved 15 pieces in violation of the rules. TD forfeits the OP. 🙂
Or you could just shoot him and wait for him to time out.

Chess Librarian

The Stacks

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13 Jan 12

Originally posted by ChessPraxis
Or you could just shoot him and wait for him to time out.
In Florida, there is no...record... of this ever occurring.

The body of said player is usually deposited in a freshly dug hole out back, and a little bit of water is added to the hole.

When you dig a hole in Florida and add any amount of water to it, gators arrive shortly thereafter.

Gators never leave any evidence behind. And it's against the law to harm them.

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13 Jan 12

Originally posted by IQ
Would it be illegal in an OTB chess tournament (USCF tournament to be precise) to take your pieces, and rather than have them stand up normally, lay them down awkwardly? Not even saying my opponent would have to do it, too, just could I randomly lay them down on the squares?
Under the FIDE rules, it is officially illegal to be an annoying stool sample. (Rule 12.6 specifically, but I'm sure 12.1 could be brought to bear as well.) So yes, if you pulled that stunt in a serious tournament you'd be out before you could cry "Fischer".

Richard