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BGonline.org Forums
Speaking of clocks....
Posted By: Bill Riles In Response To: Speaking of clocks.... (Chuck Bower)
Date: Friday, 11 April 2008, at 2:04 p.m.
I agree with Chuck, putting a clock on a guy after his first very slow match is akin to calling in the fire department after the fire is out.
One opponent has already had to sit through the purgatory of the slow match, everyone in the bracket area with dependent matches has already suffered, and the next opponent, when a clock perhaps is then required, feels punished for slow play he/she did not contribute toward.
In Charlotte this year I had to wait HOURS for a match. As I recall, the guy had gotten a first round bye, he began his second round match (his first match) around 2:00 or 2:30, they played till the dinner break, took the ENTIRE two hour dinner break, and returned to finish around 9:30. No consideration at all for the other players. The opponent of the slow player displayed the patience of a saint and severe frustration. He probably used 5%-10% of the time in the 5-6 hour match. We had 2-3 matches backed up because of the guy and everyone had been standing around with their thumbs in their backsides for hours. Since I'd not gotten a bye, I had played three matches before the dinner break and then had to wait till the end of time (figuratively, no pun intended) for that second round match to end, and then a third round match, before I could play my fourth round match. Many others, of course, were in the same boat both in the main and the consolation brackets. And I think that contributed to my bad attitude, lack of focus, etc. and to my loss. (Couldn't have only been my bad play.)
Anyway, CLOCKS !!!!!!
In most instances I've observed, when the ultra-slow players are put on a clock they typically have little problem playing faster and do not have time problems. Without a clock, their interminable study of every move (including the obvious ones) and their tentativeness in making decisions (including the obvious ones) kills the enjoyment of the game for me.
We know who the culprits are. We should either use clocks exclusively, my preference, or pro-actively clock all the matches of the known offenders. Then the fire department will be on the site during the fire, not afterwards.
Greg's decision to allow clocks in Atlanta with the request of either player is a start. I know almost all of the championship players and with 90%+ slow play will never be a problem and I'll feel no need to ask for the clock. But, with the others .....
Isn't it simpler just to put a clock on all and be done with it?
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