Foul play in online chess:Players be aware!

Nagpur, May 2

To deal with the problem of 'foul play' in the online format of the chess tournaments, Maharashtra Chess Association (MCA) and its parent body All Indian Chess Federation (AICF) have decided to take strict action against those players who will violate the norms.

Before its age group selection trials starts on June 3, MCA has taken the cognizance of the incidents of foul play by two players Shiva Iyer and Harsh Nachankar during the recently concluded Umesh Panbude Benefit Blitz Chess Tournament and has decided to tackle such incidents strictly.

In this regard when contacted president of All India Chess Federation (AICF) Bharat Singh Chauhan he said “ Actually I am not aware of Nagpur incidents but AICF will strictly deal with such incidents if that took place in the official state as well as national tournaments”. Chauhan informed that the state association's and federation's tournaments will be conducted on the online platform of 'Tornelo' and if they give foul play report against any play then the AICF will take action.

For the first time during a pandemic the MCA will be conducting selection trials for boys and girls in the Under-18, 16, 14, 12 and 10 online from June 3, Considering the prevailing Covid situation, International Chess Federation has decided to conduct various events online in July. The AICF will be conducting all the selection trials from June 10.

In this regard when Lokmat Tines contacted MCA secretary Niranjan Godbole he said, “ I am aware about the incidents of foul play during Panbude benefit tournament. We will take all precautions for fair play. At the same time the players should also follow the rules and regulations. Now since all the players are directly registered with AICF, they have the authority to take action. We can only refer such cases to the national body. And if we come across such incidents we will definitely ask the AICF to take strict action against erring players”, he said.

Godbole said, “ For the first time state as well as national level official tournament will be organised online. Some local-level tournament were conducted in various cities of Maharashtra but we have our own limitations to take action but in official tournaments we can take action ”, he said.

Godbole also said on the lines of football the card system will be implemented in the tournaments. The chief arbiter will give warning to the players in the form of yellow card if they commit any cheating. The second yellow card will be treated as red card.

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Shiva challenges NDCA

Meanwhile Shiva Iyer has challenged the NDCA and has sought natural justice from the district body and Lichess which blocked his ID on the charge of violating the norms of the site. He asked the NDCA to check his games by the panel of arbiters and if they proved that he was indulged in any type of foul play then he will give up the game completely.