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BGonline.org Forums
Some insights from MC (long)
Posted By: Daniel Murphy In Response To: Some insights from MC (long) (Achim)
Date: Wednesday, 16 July 2008, at 7:55 p.m.
I've enjoyed reading all the comments in the discussions here at bgonline about problems with players and direction in Monte Carlo. Some other instances have been discussed in the DBgF forum. I'm sorry to hear that one of the semifinals and the final were marred in ways unacceptable at the "World Championship" or at any tournament.
Achim writes: Very often [Sequiera] used both hands as he did in the semifinal against me, sometimes with both ellbows over the board (something I won't allow in serious tournament matches anymore if I'm not in very good relationship with my opponent).
ABT, DBgF, BIBA, etc. rules are very clear. The ABT rule: A player shall move the checkers in an unambiguous manner, using only one hand. I don't allow anyone to break this rule in any tournament match.
Achim writes: It was a lack of experience on my side, because I usually only play in Denmark, where there is a different approach to the game.
I know what my friend Achim means. Everyone should insist that our opponents play with the high level of sportsmanship and respect for the letter and spirit of the rules that one typically finds in live competition in Denmark. And we should never be reluctant to summon the director whenever there's any question about the rules, or about the fairness of the competition. I agree completely with Perry's comments about illegal moves, monitoring, and summoning the director. It's the director's job to solve problems. As player it's our responsibility to let him do his job.
Achim writes: In the semifinals [Sequeira] produced a few illegal moves in the very beginning and tried to blame me once or twice when I corrected him (as if his confusing style was my fault).
I can't say for sure what I would have done in Achim's position. But after seeing several illegal moves by an experienced player, I know I would have considered requesting that the tournament director appoint a monitor to ensure that that all moves thereafter were played legally. Some years ago at an international tournament, I found myself out of the main flight with nothing to do. The tournament director asked me to informally monitor a match that was just beginning. He asked me to do this because he believed that one of the players had a reputation for, shall we say, frequently not being able to move as the dice directed. In that instance, I observed nothing untoward. If I had, that proactive director, I'm sure, would have done what needed doing.
Sure, as Neil says, we all make inadvertent mistakes occasionally, but there are a few bad apples, and our game doesn't need them. And as Neil also says, "BULLSHIT ... should not be tolerated." It's up to us players to insist that bullshit actions like multiple illegal plays, two-handed moves, nonshaking of the dice, checker shuffling, fast-rolling, you name it -- and bullshit attitudes on sportsmanship -- are not welcome in competitive backgammon.
Congratulations to semifinalist Achim! Next year in the final ...
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