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BGonline.org Forums
Angle shooting and Bronstein clocks
Posted By: Rich Munitz In Response To: Angle shooting and Bronstein clocks (neilkaz)
Date: Tuesday, 7 July 2009, at 4:16 p.m.
And dare we add the possibility of someone playing with rigged dice - again far more difficult if both players are using the same set of dice.
The game has evolved over time to reduce the likelihood of such problems. I'm sure that the game was played for centuries before the invention of dice cups. Then the requirement to roll on the right side of the board. Then the requirement to move the checkers with one hand. The requirement to not roll before your opponent has lifted their dice. All of these things are annoying to some people who view it as impeding their ability to play as they wish. The use of clocks to utilize a single set of dice and end ones turn is another step in the evolution of the game and elimination of problems that can occur. So there are numerous potential problems eliminated with the use of a clock to the game. In the absence of a set time limit on play imposed by clocks (i.e. assuming they would be set to allow unlimited think time), I have heard no one state a single case where the use of a clock creates a situation where there is a problem that does not otherwise exist without use of a clock. The only argument seems to be "its not the way I'm used to playing, so it will ruin the game for me". And some people always play without dice cups. They really like the feel of the dice in their hands and it is just not the same otherwise. Do whatever you agree in social play. But in organized competition, the rules and equipment must invariably evolve to eliminate sources of conflict. Clocks do this well.
Next question. Does a tournament director have a right and a responsibility to limit the amount of time a single player may consume to play his match? If I wish to think for 10 minutes on each move, is it my right? Is it fair to my opponent? Is it fair to the other players at the event that will have to play their matches at 3 AM because I should not have any limits placed on my right to think? I don't think that argument can be made. Nothing kills the game and causes attendance to suffer more than tournaments that have horrific delays. Years ago I watched tournaments at a club I attended run until 1 in the morning due to slow play and then players don't come back because they simply did not want to be forced to stay that late. There is no question that a director must insist upon some reasonable pace of play, and it is also true that the director cannot possibly monitor 100 matches simultaneously to ensure that each and every one of them is being played at the minimum acceptable pace. Opponents of slow players should not be placed in the uncomfortable position of having to tell their counterpart to speed up or to call the director. Clocks simply serve as a necessary extension of the director to enforce what is reasonable. It is proactive in that it helps to ensure that delays are avoided rather than the director only becoming aware of a problem after the fact. I don't think it can be argued that NO time limit at all can be placed on players matches if a director is to run a successful tournament and do his job of valuing the greater good over a single player's right to play a 5 hour match because he wants to think that long or shake his dice exactly 28 times before rolling them. If you can grant that placing SOME limit on time is reasonable, then clocks serve that purpose well and the only question is what that time limit should be. And that is another debate.
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