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Let the next thread on the subject begin

Posted By: Daniel Murphy
Date: Friday, 2 September 2011, at 2:15 a.m.

In Response To: Let the next thread on the subject begin (Mike Main)

The etiquette of while considering a move of moving checkers to the top of points is generally sound. THIS IS THE IDEA THAT SHOULD BE KEYED INTO ...

I think it's fair to say that is the gist of Leonardo's suggestion (which is the actual WBA rule):

Players may not, in an uncontrolled manner, move their checkers back and forth across the board in order to test new positions. Players are recommended to place the checkers at least 2 centimetres above the checker/checkers that are already in the intended point or on the edge of the board if the intended point is empty.

This rule frowns on excessively moving checkers about. It has a recommendation rather than a mandate. It's vague, yes, but not so vague when viewed as a clarification of "The players must move clearly and use only one hand to move the checkers." That's the bottom line -- clarity of movement is a required courtesy. Intentionally or excessively confusing or distracting one's opponent -- we don't want that. As "the dice are a means to obtain random numbers," one's hands are a means to move checkers (legally) in accordance with the rolls.

It's hard to fit a recommendation into a rules set. Making it a mandate isn't necessarily an improvement. If it's a mandate, then it's going to be known, understood, followed and enforced or (2) it's not. Currently, it's mandated that when you double you move the cube a certain way. It's also mandated that you say "double." But in practice these aren't mandates, they are recommendations. I don't think anyone anticipates adverse rulings when someone places checkers only 1.7 centimeters above the checkers or points instead of 2 centimeters. Or ignores the mandate/recommendation entirely on occasion.

Why not also add, as a recommendation, that a player comparing various moves return the checkers to their starting position between tryouts?

Messages In This Thread

• Let the next thread on the subject begin
  Mike Main -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 10:32 a.m.
  • Let the next thread on the subject begin
    Stick -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 10:41 a.m.
    • Let the next thread on the subject begin
      Gregg Cattanach -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 11:59 a.m.
      • Let the next thread on the subject begin
        Michael Crane -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 12:13 p.m.
        • Let the next thread on the subject begin
          Gregg Cattanach -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 12:33 p.m.
          • Let the next thread on the subject begin
            Chiva Tafazzoli -- Friday, 2 September 2011, at 7:03 p.m.
        • Let the next thread on the subject begin
          Steve Mellen -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 2:16 p.m.
  • Bravo Mike! +1 *NM*
    mtuhtan -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 11:07 a.m.
  • Let the next thread on the subject begin
    christian munk-christensen -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 11:32 a.m.
    • Let the next thread on the subject begin
      neilkaz -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 3:51 p.m.
      • Penalty button
        Tom Keith -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 4:43 p.m.
        • Penalty button
          mamabear -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 5:22 p.m.
  • Let the next thread on the subject begin
    Bob Koca -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 1:35 p.m.
    • Let the next thread on the subject begin
      mamabear -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 5:18 p.m.
      • Let the next thread on the subject begin
        Daniel Murphy -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 5:37 p.m.
    • Let the next thread on the subject begin
      Mike Main -- Friday, 2 September 2011, at 11:44 p.m.
  • Who is Hell is Mike Main?
    Paul Weaver -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 3:57 p.m.
  • Let the next thread on the subject begin
    mamabear -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 5:36 p.m.
    • Let the next thread on the subject begin
      Tom Keith -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 5:44 p.m.
  • Let the next thread on the subject begin
    Chuck Bower -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 5:42 p.m.
  • Some thought about the structure and goal of a given law and his rules.
    higonefive -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 7:56 p.m.
  • Let the next thread on the subject begin
    Bill Riles -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 8:16 p.m.
    • Good to see you back Bill!
      Casper van der Tak -- Thursday, 1 September 2011, at 10:24 p.m.
  • Let the next thread on the subject begin
    Barry Silliman -- Friday, 2 September 2011, at 1:37 a.m.
  • Let the next thread on the subject begin
    Daniel Murphy -- Friday, 2 September 2011, at 2:15 a.m.
  • Let the next thread on the subject begin
    Chiva Tafazzoli -- Friday, 2 September 2011, at 2:50 p.m.