Oh, The Crap I Must Put Up With!? (Or, the Crap Up with Which I Must Put... for you grammar freaks!) Read the Rules, People!! And, Show a Little Respect... By NM Leland Fuerstman Last Saturday, Lucas and I drove about 70 miles north to participate in Asheboro 90. However, when I arrived, I was greeted with an unfriendly reception. Apparently, my unknown opponent had some preconceived opinion about me and decided to be intentionally unfriendly and disrespectful? Getting to the board a few minutes late, I promptly attempted to greet him and shake hands. I made my move and began filling out my scoresheet. He just sat there stoically, while I waited for him to respond. Then I noticed that I had forgotten to push the button on my clock?! (I know; he has no obligation to tell me...) As the game progressed, in his zeal, Mr. Jahi Abdulaziz (AKA "Pushkin?") began placing his Pawns and pieces all askew on their squares? So, in an attempt to be civil, when it became my move, I quietly asked the agelast if I could adjust his pieces? He said, "NO?!" Dude, I was just trying to be friendly. However, according to USCF Rule 10A, all I need to do is announce that I intend to! (McKay Chess Library; U.S. Chess Federation' Official Rules of Chess. 5th edition Edited by Tim Just and Daniel Burg. P. 21, 10A. Adjustment of pieces. "A player who is on the move and first expresses the intention to adjust (e.g., by saying j'adoube or I adjust) may adjust one or more pieces on their squares." (That includes his opponents pieces. Exception: It is my understanding that a player has a right to position his Knights either horizontally, vertically or diagonally...) Noticing the commotion, TD Tom Hales, approached the board to address the issue. At first, it was obvious that he was somewhat perplexed. He looked at the board and said, "well, the pieces are within their squares?? I said, "What?!?" Realizing that the guy was a patzer and that the game probably wouldn't last very long, anyway, I said, "Don't worry about it; let's just play!" Though I was irritated and disturbed by my opponents behavior, he made a couple of ridiculous Pawn advances and I proceeded to checkmate him in short order. (See Game 1279) I was the last to begin, and and first to finish!! I generally ask my opponent if he wishes to analyze the game; but, this time, I chose not to. But, ultimately, I must take issue with the TD who did not make the correct call immediately. According to the rules, I didn't need my opponents's approval to adjust his pieces; just his acknowledgement... Finally, after I Drew my Rd:2 game with Expert Wil Mahan (2138), I moseyed over to a nearby board where two player appeared to be "analyzing" their game!? I am friendly with both. The first player had a Bishop, Knight and 5 Pawns remaining. The second player had a single Pawn. Both players were making rapid moves without making notation; neither was pushing the button on his clock! After a dozen or so moves, kibitzer that I am, I reached out and grabbed the Bishop and took the final pawn!!? Duh!!?! Both players had astonishing looks on their faces!!? I then said, "Wow, if this game is still in progress, I apologize." And, I put the Bishop back on it's original square. I then said, "I should probably be removed from the playing area!... Therefore, in my embarrassment, I must withdraw from the tournament!" LOL (Actually, Paul and I had already planned to withdraw after Rd:2) In retrospect, both players accepted my apology and the first player made a different move, which of course, made absolutely no difference in the outcome of the game. It was not a deliberate violation of the rules. Considering the overwhelming material advantage, I truly thought their game was already over. As a Senior Tournament Director myself, such a "rare" unintentional violation of the rules would result in a "warning." However, in a message published on the NCCA Forum, TD Hales indicated that had I stayed and played the final round, a "significant time penalty would be imposed??" In an attempt to show his impartiality to me, specifically, he sometimes seems to go a bit overboard?! That entire incident lasted about 30 seconds! And, once the players acknowledged my confusion and embarrassment, the incident was over. P. 95, 21K1. Use of Director's power;  "The Director should make every effort to resolve a dispute by informal, conciliatory means before resorting to the exercise of the director's formal discretionary power to penalize." P. 95, 21K2. Beware of Abuse of Power. "Tournament directors should realize that the powers given to them under these rules should be used sparingly, to restore equity or to penalize a serious infraction so as to discourage it's recurrence. No one's interests are served by what appears to be the arbitrary or high-handed exercise of authority." However, according to his own admission, Mr. Jahi Abdulaziz illegally interfered by piping up and announcing that he wanted to make a formal protest!?? P. 86, 20M5 "Spectators cannot make claims. Spectators. including parents and coaches, may point out irregularities to the director, in a manner neither heard nor noticed by the players, but have no right to make claims of any kind on behalf of players. ... A spectator who makes a claim may be ejected." Mr. Jahi Abdulaziz would do best to shut his mouth and study the rulebook a bit more carefully before he embarrasses himself any further. I don't know how it is elsewhere, but members of the Charlotte Chess Club are respectful and friendly to each other. They willingly allow you to adjust their pieces and sometimes even tell you that you forgot to push your button! And, they don't stick their noses into other people's business. As for common courtesy, I ask that I be addressed as National Master Leland Fuerstman, a Title which Mr. Jahi Adbulaziz will certainly never achieve in his lifetime... As for the outside chance that Mr. Jahi Abdulaziz decides to participate in the Knights Templar VIII on March 29 here in Charlotte, though my first impressions of him are somewhat negative, the Charlotte Chess Club does not prevent players from participating for "personal reasons." However, any player may envoke Rule 28U and request that he not be paired against a specific player. And, I intend to honor that rule. I remain, NM Leland Fuerstman Charlotte Chess Club www.charlottechess.com