Wrong Chess Notation in Tournaments • page 1/1 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

Hi,

(1) Im wondering what would happen if I notice that my opponent made a wrong notation in a tournament.

(2) Am I allowed to ask my opponent what kind of move he/she made when he/she moved a piece while I was not looking at the board?

I never played an tournament so I was wondering, I also cant find the answer to my question in the FIDE-Rulebook.

Hi, (1) Im wondering what would happen if I notice that my opponent made a wrong notation in a tournament. (2) Am I allowed to ask my opponent what kind of move he/she made when he/she moved a piece while I was not looking at the board? I never played an tournament so I was wondering, I also cant find the answer to my question in the FIDE-Rulebook.

tpr

#2

8.1 In the course of play each player is required to record his own moves and those of his
opponent in the correct manner, move after move, as clearly and legibily as possible, in
the algebraic notation (See Appendix C), on the scoresheet prescribed for the
competition.

C. Algebraic notation
FIDE recognizes for its own tournaments and matches only one system of notation, the Algebraic
System, and recommends the use of this uniform chess notation also for chess literature and
periodicals. Scoresheets using a notation system other than algebraic may not be used as evidence
in cases where normally the scoresheet of a player is used for that purpose. An arbiter who
observes that a player is using a notation system other than the algebraic should warn the player
about of this requirement.

8.1 In the course of play each player is required to record his own moves and those of his opponent in the correct manner, move after move, as clearly and legibily as possible, in the algebraic notation (See Appendix C), on the scoresheet prescribed for the competition. C. Algebraic notation FIDE recognizes for its own tournaments and matches only one system of notation, the Algebraic System, and recommends the use of this uniform chess notation also for chess literature and periodicals. Scoresheets using a notation system other than algebraic may not be used as evidence in cases where normally the scoresheet of a player is used for that purpose. An arbiter who observes that a player is using a notation system other than the algebraic should warn the player about of this requirement.

Break_ToS edited

#3

He meant
Example Rg1 instead of Rh1.
I think !

He meant Example Rg1 instead of Rh1. I think !

pawnaway

#4

I haven't seen either of these be a problem. Just by talking to people between rounds and observing how the other behave should be sufficient. Ask the arbiters if you are unsure.

For the first question, I guess it depends on how wrong. If your opponent is consistently making wrong notation you should contact the arbiter. If it's like a one time Rd8 instead of Rad8, I don't think it'll matter at all, make sure you write the correct notation though. Besides, you would need pretty good eyesight and skill at reading handwriting upside-down to even discover the wrong notation.

As for the second question, you'll usually see the move without any input from your opponent. If your opponent see you struggling they might gesture at the piece moved or something similar.

I haven't seen either of these be a problem. Just by talking to people between rounds and observing how the other behave should be sufficient. Ask the arbiters if you are unsure. For the first question, I guess it depends on how wrong. If your opponent is consistently making wrong notation you should contact the arbiter. If it's like a one time Rd8 instead of Rad8, I don't think it'll matter at all, make sure you write the correct notation though. Besides, you would need pretty good eyesight and skill at reading handwriting upside-down to even discover the wrong notation. As for the second question, you'll usually see the move without any input from your opponent. If your opponent see you struggling they might gesture at the piece moved or something similar.

jonesmh

#5

According to most rules, there are certain results that the player can't make if he/she has more than three notation mistakes, so it would be beneficial to you to not mention any mistakes, however, after the game, it would be a good sport to mention the mistake and offer the correct notation.

When it is your move, you may ask to review your opponent's scoresheet. It would be polite to give the last move when asked and is required when one of the players is blind.

According to most rules, there are certain results that the player can't make if he/she has more than three notation mistakes, so it would be beneficial to you to not mention any mistakes, however, after the game, it would be a good sport to mention the mistake and offer the correct notation. When it is your move, you may ask to review your opponent's scoresheet. It would be polite to give the last move when asked and is required when one of the players is blind.

tpr

#6

You should only worry about your scoresheet being correct
You should see which move was played from the board. You can glance at his scoresheet if you must. Asking the opponent is disapproved. It is recommended to remain seated at your board.

12.6 It is forbidden to distract or annoy the opponent in any manner whatsoever. This includes
unreasonable claims, unreasonable offers of a draw or the introduction of a source of
noise into the playing area.

1) You should only worry about your scoresheet being correct 2) You should see which move was played from the board. You can glance at his scoresheet if you must. Asking the opponent is disapproved. It is recommended to remain seated at your board. 12.6 It is forbidden to distract or annoy the opponent in any manner whatsoever. This includes unreasonable claims, unreasonable offers of a draw or the introduction of a source of noise into the playing area.

petri999

#7

and if think opponen is not keeping up his scoresheet and hence gaining time and you really feel gaining by it then you shoudl stop the clock and call arbiter. Never settle that kinda things directly.

Problem is that as long as scribbles something then he keeping it up. clarity of hand writing is matter of opinion. And also guarantees that the opponent cannot claim anything on unreadable scoresheet. "as clearly and legibily as possible" as possible means just that not tht clart or legible just that attempt has been made

and if think opponen is not keeping up his scoresheet and hence gaining time and you really feel gaining by it then you shoudl stop the clock and call arbiter. Never settle that kinda things directly. Problem is that as long as scribbles something then he keeping it up. clarity of hand writing is matter of opinion. And also guarantees that the opponent cannot claim anything on unreadable scoresheet. "as clearly and legibily as possible" as possible means just that not tht clart or legible just that attempt has been made

CM Sarg0n

#8

Actually he is even allowed to hide the notation from you (but not from the arbiter).

dfuchs

#9

Hi,
I'm an international arbiter for FIDE tournaments.
@jonesmh : According to FIDE rules you are wrong. There is absolutly no rule where a player has to provide a flawless notation. However if your own notation is wrong you might have a problem regarding claims if your opponants notation is also wrong.

@tpr: You are absolutly right. But as matter of fact there are amateur players who don't recognice which move have been played so a player may always ask the arbiter for help (without stopping the clock of course)

@petri999 : It's not that easy. If you write the first 15 moves quite readable you have proven that you are able to write readable so you have to continue to do so even with a shorter timespan.

To answer OPs question: You may inform the arbiter of the incident. It will likly be checked without distracting eather player and if your claim is true the arbiter will most likly inform your opponant about the mistake and ask him to correct it. I don't see a penalty neccessary in this case.

Hi, I'm an international arbiter for FIDE tournaments. @jonesmh : According to FIDE rules you are wrong. There is absolutly no rule where a player has to provide a flawless notation. However if your own notation is wrong you might have a problem regarding claims if your opponants notation is also wrong. @tpr: You are absolutly right. But as matter of fact there are amateur players who don't recognice which move have been played so a player may always ask the arbiter for help (without stopping the clock of course) @petri999 : It's not that easy. If you write the first 15 moves quite readable you have proven that you are able to write readable so you have to continue to do so even with a shorter timespan. To answer OPs question: You may inform the arbiter of the incident. It will likly be checked without distracting eather player and if your claim is true the arbiter will most likly inform your opponant about the mistake and ask him to correct it. I don't see a penalty neccessary in this case.