07-01-2014, 12:20 PM
I seldom participate on this forum as rational debate often descends into political point scoring or the topic is high jacked to promote some unrelated personal agenda. As George Murphy has mentioned, this thread contains constructive dialogue and has raised some good challenges. In the hope that this continues, I will add my tuppence worth.
Because of the demographics of Scotland I envisage only around ten remote boards would be introduced into congress halls. One from each remote community such as Shetland, Orkney, Wick, Skye, Lewis, Islay etc and also for some members of our disabled community.
This is how I see it working:
Player A (in main congress hall) sits at a designated board where a volunteer will sit opposite with an internet connected device with chess.com (or similar) installed.
A mirrored set up will be in place for player B at the remote location.
Player A (if white) makes his move and presses the clock. Volunteer A relays the move via the internet and volunteer B, onto the remote board. Player B makes their move and the process is reversed but with Volunteer A pressing the clock at the main venue.
The game is played to its conclusion.
Arbitration: The qualified arbiter in the main congress hall will be the arbiter for both boards. The boards should be identical and both players recorded moves available. One written by player A and player B recorded electronically on Chess.com. e.g. if player B has an issue he will inform volunteer B who will write the query in the Chess.com message window. Volunteer A will Stop the clock if requested and raise his hand to bring the issue to the arbiters attention. The resolution will be communicated via the message window and the game will continue.
Security: Most lap top computers are now fitted with web cams. If one is placed at both locations then the players and arbiter will be able to observe the playing area and activity over the boards.
Clock: Only one official clock is in play and that is located on Player A's table. Player B may request a time check from volunteer B who will request an update via the Chess.com message window from Volunteer A. If the web cam option is adopted then player B will be able to view the official clock in real time.
Selection of remote players: The remote chess club will hold a club championship with the remote player place awarded as the prize. The ideal, and my ultimate goal is for each remote chess club to hold a mini congress in tandem with a CS event. The previous year's champion will play remotely at the venue while fellow club players compete at the same time and format as the main C.S event for the chance to play remotely at the next CS event. The winner of the remote mini congress will play the previous winner in a best of three (to be determined by club) graded club match before the next CS event. The winner will win the remote player place.
Volunteers: Most congress halls are attended by chess playing parents of juniors. I believe this is a resource that can be used to man the boards. The chess knowledge required is pretty low as the volunteer will only be replicating the moves made by the players. The volunteer position can be done in relays if more than one person is available.
Ground rules: The committee will have to consider the unique elements of remote play and set ground rules to suit. A couple to consider would be:
The number of remote boards will be dictated in advance by the tournament organiser based on internet availability and available volunteers. The appropriate CS director will allocate in the fairest manner the remote boards to the most deserving players. The tournament organiser would have the power to limit the number of remote boards if they felt the quantity would have a detrimental effect on the main tournament.
If disability or access problems prevents a player from attending a venue then relaxation of the rules may be applied at the CS directors discretion to allow the player to play unsupervised from their home.
~300 million players play internet games successfully. The technology is proven and as long as the internet connection is secure and the lights stay on it should not disrupt games during a tournament. (Shetland boasts the fastest fibre optic broadband network in the UK). However a ruling should still be in place to cover such an event should it occur.
Because of the demographics of Scotland I envisage only around ten remote boards would be introduced into congress halls. One from each remote community such as Shetland, Orkney, Wick, Skye, Lewis, Islay etc and also for some members of our disabled community.
This is how I see it working:
Player A (in main congress hall) sits at a designated board where a volunteer will sit opposite with an internet connected device with chess.com (or similar) installed.
A mirrored set up will be in place for player B at the remote location.
Player A (if white) makes his move and presses the clock. Volunteer A relays the move via the internet and volunteer B, onto the remote board. Player B makes their move and the process is reversed but with Volunteer A pressing the clock at the main venue.
The game is played to its conclusion.
Arbitration: The qualified arbiter in the main congress hall will be the arbiter for both boards. The boards should be identical and both players recorded moves available. One written by player A and player B recorded electronically on Chess.com. e.g. if player B has an issue he will inform volunteer B who will write the query in the Chess.com message window. Volunteer A will Stop the clock if requested and raise his hand to bring the issue to the arbiters attention. The resolution will be communicated via the message window and the game will continue.
Security: Most lap top computers are now fitted with web cams. If one is placed at both locations then the players and arbiter will be able to observe the playing area and activity over the boards.
Clock: Only one official clock is in play and that is located on Player A's table. Player B may request a time check from volunteer B who will request an update via the Chess.com message window from Volunteer A. If the web cam option is adopted then player B will be able to view the official clock in real time.
Selection of remote players: The remote chess club will hold a club championship with the remote player place awarded as the prize. The ideal, and my ultimate goal is for each remote chess club to hold a mini congress in tandem with a CS event. The previous year's champion will play remotely at the venue while fellow club players compete at the same time and format as the main C.S event for the chance to play remotely at the next CS event. The winner of the remote mini congress will play the previous winner in a best of three (to be determined by club) graded club match before the next CS event. The winner will win the remote player place.
Volunteers: Most congress halls are attended by chess playing parents of juniors. I believe this is a resource that can be used to man the boards. The chess knowledge required is pretty low as the volunteer will only be replicating the moves made by the players. The volunteer position can be done in relays if more than one person is available.
Ground rules: The committee will have to consider the unique elements of remote play and set ground rules to suit. A couple to consider would be:
The number of remote boards will be dictated in advance by the tournament organiser based on internet availability and available volunteers. The appropriate CS director will allocate in the fairest manner the remote boards to the most deserving players. The tournament organiser would have the power to limit the number of remote boards if they felt the quantity would have a detrimental effect on the main tournament.
If disability or access problems prevents a player from attending a venue then relaxation of the rules may be applied at the CS directors discretion to allow the player to play unsupervised from their home.
~300 million players play internet games successfully. The technology is proven and as long as the internet connection is secure and the lights stay on it should not disrupt games during a tournament. (Shetland boasts the fastest fibre optic broadband network in the UK). However a ruling should still be in place to cover such an event should it occur.