@hardbitten said in #7:
> "sounds like the kid was wearing an analogueueu watch". was it examined? a GM shoulda known das is verbotten.
A watch is verboten (by FIDE) if the event falls into category A protection measures.
> Watches, pens and other writing devices containing metal are not allowed in the playing area.
One of the criteria forcing cat A protection is prize fund amount.
> Events with prize funds in excess of EUR 100,000.
According to chess.com, the Qatar Masters Open prize fund is $108,250. That is about 102,700 EUR. So either the exchange rate was different when the rules were established (there have been a few times in the last year when the dollar was strong enough to push EUR under the threshold), they got a waiver, or the arbiter is wrong.
Or maybe I'm reading the FIDE handbook wrong. I haven't found anything yet prohibiting smart phones!
> "sounds like the kid was wearing an analogueueu watch". was it examined? a GM shoulda known das is verbotten.
A watch is verboten (by FIDE) if the event falls into category A protection measures.
> Watches, pens and other writing devices containing metal are not allowed in the playing area.
One of the criteria forcing cat A protection is prize fund amount.
> Events with prize funds in excess of EUR 100,000.
According to chess.com, the Qatar Masters Open prize fund is $108,250. That is about 102,700 EUR. So either the exchange rate was different when the rules were established (there have been a few times in the last year when the dollar was strong enough to push EUR under the threshold), they got a waiver, or the arbiter is wrong.
Or maybe I'm reading the FIDE handbook wrong. I haven't found anything yet prohibiting smart phones!