As A Rule, I Say This ... #3
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS on the often tricky matter of fair and legal play
- By Michael Crane
Brendan Burgess asked via a message posted to the newsgroup rec.games.backgammon regarding the use of clocks.
Q: If my opponent makes an illegal move, I assume that I pause the clock to point it out. I can then decide whether or not I want him to correct the play. I will be using the paused time to think about my decision.
Last night, I made an illegal move and my opponent just restarted my clock and told me to play the move legally. Could I have claimed that by starting my clock he had condoned my move and then finished his move? If so, I could roll and play my next move.
A: According to Biba Clock Rules (and those used in the USA via Bill Davis) Rule 4.0 Stopping The Clock states, "..... e) to contest an opponent's action or to summon the Director."
If you are contesting an action and it is under discussion then both clocks should be stopped and the discussion continued to a conclusion. However, if it is, as stated by Brendan, an illegal move, then Brendan's opponent didn't need to discuss it but simply ask Brendan to replay it legally and in Brendan's time. You cannot pause the clock to think about an opponent's illegal play - this thinking about it is done in your time.
Brendan's opponent didn't condone the illegal play by starting Brendan's clock (thus 'ending' his own move) but exercised his right to have the move re-played.
As one of the busiest tournament directors in the world I am wholly for the use of clocks. They are a great tool to ensure the smooth running and timely ending of matches and tournaments.
At Biba tournaments they are used as a 'persuader' inasmuch as I trawl the playing areas checking the scores at set times and issue warnings that if the points scored don't reach a certain level by my return (15 minutes later) then the remaining segment of the match will continue with clocks. I find that does the trick most of the time!
- Michael Crane
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