Wireless chess cheat banned for 10 years !!

[Alan Millhone]

Hello everyone:

I was sent an interesting site tonight and found an article that has crossed my mind on several occasions. I found the article on " THE REGISTER " and it is entitled:

CHECKMATE FOR BLUETOOTH HEADSET SCAM
By: Lester Haines

An Indian chess player has been banned from competing for 10 years after seeking the assistance of a computer via a bluetooth headset.

Umakant Sharma was caught during a 'random check' in a New Delhi tournament on 4 December, INFORMATION WEEK reports. The headset was sewn into a cap which he " typically pulled down over his ears ". The All India Chess Federation (AICF) found Sharma's accomplices had used a computer to caluclate moves and had transmitted the recommendations to him via said headset.

The World Chess Federaration's rules on the matter are explicit, reading " It is strictly forbidden to bring mobile phones or other electronic means of communication, not authorized by the arbiter, int othe playing venue. If a player's mobile phone rings in the playing venue during play, that player shall lose the game."

AICF treasurer Bharat Singh Chauhan produced the cap and headset at a meeting earlier this week and duly banned Sharma for a decade.

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We all know this would never happen in Checkers:-) Chess tournaments however offer traditionally much larger prizes and this will bring out the worst in a few individuals. I found the article interesting and wanted to share with the forum readers. Comments of course welcome. Don't anyone say 10 years is too long.............. He should not have been cheating to begin with !

Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker federation
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Checkers----- "THE MENTAL SPORT ALTERNATIVE TO VIDEO GAMES "
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[Alex_Moiseyev]

We all know this would never happen in Checkers

Why ??? Cheating is a normal human nature. If players in other sports use dopings or other illegal sources (computers etc.), whats wrong with checkers players and force them to stay away of this bad attitude ?

It would be a big mistake to think that we are living on another planet

Disregard prizes, I think it is only matter of time in checkers for using illegally computer's help.

Mobile phones are prohibited in chess and other forms of checkers many years ago, It is a rule in FMJD and several players already were fortfeited in games, when they forgot to turn off mobile phones and got a call during the game. The most recent case happened in the 10x10 team World Championship several weeks ago.

We should have the same restrictions in checkers events at any level.

In addition - in the modern electronic devices you can archive many gigabytes of text information on your mobile phone. Even w/o using computers this may greatly help you or your opponent.

Respectfully,

Alex Moiseyev

[Mr. Checkers]

There is an old Tamarian saying that may be very appropriate here--"When I am good, I am good--when I am bad, I am bad--please love me both ways, for I am but human". "Happy New Year" "Inky"

[Patrick Parker]

10 year is a long time........
maybe a 10 year or / such and such fine
thats horrible no matter what

oh btw.........random checks are rarely random

[tommyc]

Well well, Im surprised Alan Millhone has only discovered this recently because i have to say it been seen here in Major Tys several times tho not admonished nor did the referee take any action nor indeed did the opponents of these players.Im glad to say i was never in that situ that a mobile phone was on the table but if i had been then at the very least it would have been a major distraction,cheating aside!!.

And on top of that there the Texts than Alan didnt mention this too is rearing its head in the same ways/

I suppose banning head-wear might help in some ways re. head sets but moby phones.Of course ours are so tiny now compared to US cell phones they are hardly noticed/these things are sent to test the human capability to surmount and over come such human frailties.

I dont think the size of the prize makes any difference there will always be boundaries pushed and attempts made,its only human/

As the old adage says "bad people win because good people do nothing .

One human failing is to delay action until a major incident happens so lets not do that AGAiN Now that this has been highlighted by Al LET TAKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION immediately and just say,no phones in playing areas.Its that simple so we should call on the ACF and the WCDF to implement action right away/.

We can do a straw pole here and see how many are for and against.So let your opinions be known without reservation/


Tommyc

[Alan Millhone]

Hello Tommy:

I am for anything that helps to professionalize our game. A couple of years ago when Mr. Al Darrow was ACF Bulletin Editor it was brought up about players dressing better at tournaments. We both got a 'dressing' from some players for even suggesting that everyone dress better.

I have had a few complaints about a few players leaving the playing room for the lavatory after say an opening has been drawn. It was suggested to me that no one should leave the room till perhaps 10 moves are made in a game? The rules have always been clear that if your opponent leaves the room you may accompany him/her. However it would be hard to deny a person the right to leave and go to the restroom.

Tommy has a good point on not allowing electronic devices int othe playing room. I have seen players chatting while playing and cells ringing during tournaments. In the past the ACF has requested cells be turned off in the playing room. Over the years (till recently) tournaments were played without cells. We have all gotten too dependent (including myself) on cells and computers, and Blackberrys,etc.

So to answer his " straw vote" I would be in favor of not allowing electronic devices int othe playing room. Only exception would be a referee, or a volunteer who is entering games played into a file who sits alone in a far corner of the playing room.

Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation
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Checkers/Draughts------ " THE MENTAL SPORT ALTERNATIVE TO VIDEO GAMES "
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[tommyc]

Do i take it that you dont have text (messaging)facilities on cell phones as this is just as bad even worse as it dont even have to ring/no one has to talk and you just read the reply!? Stamp it out.

[J_D_C_]

My last tournament, the Kentucky tournament, I was guilty of bringing my cell phone into the playing room. I turned the ringer off of course leaving it on vibrate. During one game I received a call from a friend I was supposed to meet later in the day after the tournament. The vibrator distracted me so much, that I forgot it was my move... then even worse proceeded to excuse myself from the table to return the call.

I did not realize it was my move until after I sat back down, after which I apologized to my opponent, Joan Caws. She was very understanding and patient even though, especially in view of all this, she defiantly had the right not to be. I'm also sure that the whole thing distracted her more then it did me. I put myself in a position to be doubted and am embarrassed of that. I personally won't bring my cell phone into a playing room again (on or off).

I am for not bringing them. I haven

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Good example, Jon !

Beside cheating, phones also may seriously distract people. In your story just one phone call from friend distracted yourself, perhaps Joan and maybe few other around

What they do in FMJD ... if you don't expect important calls - you simply turn off your phone. If you expect an important call - you leave the phone on giving it to referee or assitance outside of playing room.

This works and is a part of game rules.

I would probably include this issue into contract for my upcoming 3-move World Championship Match 2007.

Alex

[Pedro Saavedra]

Some forty years ago I heard a story of cheating in chess that mostly amused the other players -- probably because the cheater was a prominent grandmaster and lost and because he clumsily let on what he was doing.

Chess, like checkers, does not allow setting up the position on another board. This player kept going to the bathroom. At the end, after he lost, he was discussing the game with another grandmaster. "No, that is not the position in my game with Reshevsky that I mean. This is the position that I mean!" and saying this he took out from his pocket a magnetic set, where indeed a position several moves before his resignation was set up.

His only rebuke was that prior to his next game, one of his fellow players placed a bottle of Pepto-Bismol at his place.

Many of you, by the way, would recognize the name of the player, who I believe is now deceased. Since I heard this third hand, I prefer not to mention it.

[Patrick Parker]

i like the idea of perhaps leaving the phone with ref
but then the ref is responsible for personal property ....which wouldnt be good in a big tournament ....if alot of stuff was gathered up

in order to text cheat a game.......you would have to spend ALOT of time with your phone.....the other player could simply ask the ref to have you put it away ...?

i think there should be a no ringing/vibrating for cell phones during play
there is a SILENT option for most phones....you would still get your calls
some phones have a lights when people call

i usually keep my phone on me and just check to make sure whether or not someone calls and dont usually talk on it

imagine if there is a time zone difference and someone wants to call and check on you and they call while your still playing
or if your playing late......
or a young person without a parent and the parent calls ...etc etc

i dont think taking them out should be ruled
but simple we use common sense ....
if someone is typing checker moves into their phone this is easy to see
lets just make no ringing for sure a rule ....and perhaps vibrating also if the phone is set on the table

whats anyone think?