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Why we should publicize our illegal moves

Posted By: Taper_Mike
Date: Monday, 26 May 2014, at 3:51 a.m.

In Response To: 2014 Chicago Open – Frank Raposa vs. Roberto Litzenberger – Illegal Move (Bob Koca)

Bob Koca asks, “What is your motivation for always pointing out the illegal moves?”

It’s a fair question. Here are some of the reasons why I like to publicize incidents that involve illegal moves.

  1. They are newsworthy. We all want backgammon to have a higher profile. Part of a wider public interest in backgammon will of necessity be an interest in the errors and muffs that occur. This publicity is no different than what gets published on the front page of the sports section the day after a field goal kicker in American football misses a game-winning kick.
  2. There is a strong and ongoing interest in the debate between LM and NLM. Whichever side you favor, you cannot have an intelligent discussion unless you keep track of the real-world consequences of the illegal moves that do occur.
  3. Some of the opponents of LM have expressed a concern that an unethical player might be selective in pointing out the mistakes his opponents make. Opponents of NLM argue that a similar issue arises when an unethical player gets away with a deliberate illegal move because his opponent does not notice. One of the best cures for both of these ills is a high-profile airing any incident involving an illegal move. I say this not because I believe the players involved are necessarily trying to cheat. I went out of my way, in fact, to express my opinion that both of the episodes at this week’s Chicago Open were accidental.
  4. I would like to see LM taken a step further. I believe official monitors and unofficial spectators (in a limited capicity that can be worked out later) should be allowed to point out any irregularity they see. I discussed some of the limitations that might be imposed on spectators in a post last week. Only by demonstrating the need for such a change, can I further that discussion. As I have said before, college debators all want to see the dead bodies before they will pay heed to any argument for change. The fact that illegal moves continue to occur even in a LM setting gives them to you.

For the record, I am a strong supporter of the change to legal moves that is sweeping across the USA.

Mike

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