08-01-2014, 02:01 PM
Matthew –
I’ve played a number of blind and VI players both in Scotland and abroad, but in that case there is an opponent sitting across the board from me, unlike in remote internet play. Re which you said, “Sat opposite you will be a human being. When you have decided what move to play you will move your piece and press your clock. At some point the human opposite will play a move and press their clock. It doesn't sound terribly different to a normal game does it?” Well, actually I think it does! As you go on to say “the human opposite you will not be the person you are actually playing”!
Steve –
“I have never said that you could.”
Well, here’s what you wrote earlier: “If a congress decides to allow remote play, then providing the pairing is a proper one then there no grounds for a player to refuse to play such a player.” If that doesn’t try to marry up remoteness and disability I don’t know what does.
As Alex and others have said, there are clearly two strands involved, inability to attend on grounds of (1) remoteness and (2) disability. I would never refuse to play anyone on the grounds of disability, of course, but if a congress is being held in a modern disabled-friendly venue, and the disabled player lives a reasonable travelling distance away, you would be entitled to wonder why they couldn’t manage along. If I may be permitted a little aside, I’m aware of the problems disabled people face getting around. I was heavily involved in helping a good friend who was confined to a wheelchair with MS during the last years of his life, so I know all about the logistics of ‘transporting’ people in his situation (plus doing lots of other things you really don't want to hear about). And could I go on record here to express my admiration for John Deary who travels the country playing weekenders? Granted, he has a helper and his faithful Umber, but still.
As the adage says, where some see a problem, others see an opportunity. Despite my reservations, I do see this as an opportunity worth exploring, but there are many major issues that need to be considered. It could be a case of ‘be careful what you wish for, you might get it’.
Anyway, I think I’ve said enough on the matter, so I’ll just sit back and enjoy the rest of the debate.
I’ve played a number of blind and VI players both in Scotland and abroad, but in that case there is an opponent sitting across the board from me, unlike in remote internet play. Re which you said, “Sat opposite you will be a human being. When you have decided what move to play you will move your piece and press your clock. At some point the human opposite will play a move and press their clock. It doesn't sound terribly different to a normal game does it?” Well, actually I think it does! As you go on to say “the human opposite you will not be the person you are actually playing”!
Steve –
“I have never said that you could.”
Well, here’s what you wrote earlier: “If a congress decides to allow remote play, then providing the pairing is a proper one then there no grounds for a player to refuse to play such a player.” If that doesn’t try to marry up remoteness and disability I don’t know what does.
As Alex and others have said, there are clearly two strands involved, inability to attend on grounds of (1) remoteness and (2) disability. I would never refuse to play anyone on the grounds of disability, of course, but if a congress is being held in a modern disabled-friendly venue, and the disabled player lives a reasonable travelling distance away, you would be entitled to wonder why they couldn’t manage along. If I may be permitted a little aside, I’m aware of the problems disabled people face getting around. I was heavily involved in helping a good friend who was confined to a wheelchair with MS during the last years of his life, so I know all about the logistics of ‘transporting’ people in his situation (plus doing lots of other things you really don't want to hear about). And could I go on record here to express my admiration for John Deary who travels the country playing weekenders? Granted, he has a helper and his faithful Umber, but still.
As the adage says, where some see a problem, others see an opportunity. Despite my reservations, I do see this as an opportunity worth exploring, but there are many major issues that need to be considered. It could be a case of ‘be careful what you wish for, you might get it’.
Anyway, I think I’ve said enough on the matter, so I’ll just sit back and enjoy the rest of the debate.