Leaving the board during play

[Graham Kerr]

I had always understood that one shouldn't leave the board when it is their turn to move.
Is this a rule or just etiquette? Or am i mistaken?

[Donald Wilson]

Players can leave the board at any time. But if it's their move they cannot leave the playing room without an arbiter's permission.

I think leaving the board repeatedly when it's your move could be considered disrespectful to your opponent, and carries at least the possibility of action by an arbiter (though I've never come across an instance of that).

Leaving the board when it's your opponent's move is, of course, perfectly legitimate - even as a psychological weapon.

[Graham Kerr]

Thanks Donald.
It was a game i played in a congress not so long ago, where my opponent left the room on his move no fewer than 3 times, on each occasion he was in a tricky spot. I wouldn't go accusing someone of cheating without some sort of proof, but it certainly does raise the suspicion level.

As it turned out, i won the game anyway but each time he left it did annoy me...

[Patrick McGovern]

Thanks Donald.
It was a game i played in a congress not so long ago, where my opponent left the room on his move no fewer than 3 times, on each occasion he was in a tricky spot. I wouldn't go accusing someone of cheating without some sort of proof, but it certainly does raise the suspicion level.

As it turned out, i won the game anyway but each time he left it did annoy me...

if the player has acted in this way perhaps he/she should be given the opportunity to refute this???

[Graham Kerr]

Thanks Donald.
It was a game i played in a congress not so long ago, where my opponent left the room on his move no fewer than 3 times, on each occasion he was in a tricky spot. I wouldn't go accusing someone of cheating without some sort of proof, but it certainly does raise the suspicion level.

As it turned out, i won the game anyway but each time he left it did annoy me...

if the player has acted in this way perhaps he/she should be given the opportunity to refute this???

I'm not quite sure if i'm catching on to what you mean Patrick...

I haven't named who my opponent was, and they would only know i was talking about them if they had actually left the room on those occasions mentioned...

[Patrick McGovern]

if the player recognises him/herself then perhaps they should comment? I'm sure they would not wish to continue with a shadow cast over their reputation, then again given the actions maybe they dont care

[Graham Kerr]

well, we'll see... i just hope all my previous congress opponents aren't now thinking i'm talking about them...

[WBuchanan]

Let’s not forget that an accusation (or even a suggestion) of cheating is quite a serious thing - far more so than the outcome of a game. People might have a genuine reason for leaving the room. During a game in the 2012 Glasgow Congress I had a tummy bug and went to the toilet five or six times during the opening. You aren't supposed to have conversations in the playing room, maybe he had a visitor.

I can see how it might be annoying, but I think you should have asked your opponent at the time why he was leaving the room, or maybe had a word with the arbiter. Maybe your opponent should have explained himself. Maybe we need another rule (sigh…) or some guidance.

[Graham Kerr]

I wasn't accusing him of cheating Walter, i just wondered if it was a rule as i had always understood it to be, or if it was just etiquette.
I realise there can be many reasons for leaving the room, anyone can get a dose of the runs or anything like that.
BTW, that was a gruelling game you had yesterday, was watching with interest.

[WBuchanan]

Ah were you the tall fellow, in the blue shirt…yeah I had quite a hard time in that game.

I think you’re right it’s etiquette - it couldn’t be a general rule as such, unless there were en suite facilities. If he was actually leaving the board when it was his turn to move, as opposed to just returning tardily, that would be worse.