1. Assisting at Junior Events
Produced by the Chess Arbiters’ Association 1 1

2. Introduction
Junior events run much more smoothly when they have knowledgeable volunteer help.
This short course is intended to provide information and guidance for those willing to support junior tournaments.
It can only be a brief introduction but will hopefully provide a grounding which can be built on.
Several people who started out as adult helpers have gone on to become fully qualified arbiters or organisers. 2 2 2

3. DBS Checking
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check may be carried out on adults working with children. These are carried out to ensure that those with an involvement with young people do not have a history which would make them unsuitable for the post.
It is unlikely that a volunteer’s initial involvement will require such checks to be carried out but some organisations insist on them from an early date.
Certainly those chaperoning children, rather than supervising them in an open space, will be required to undergo such checks. 3 3 3

4. Dealing with Children Some important things to remember
Working with young children in any area requires special skills.
Many children relate to a mother figure better than to a male. This can be worth remembering especially if a child is distressed.
When speaking to a child try to come down to the same physical level by kneeing or sitting. Avoid leaning over a child – this can be felt as threatening.
Use simple language whenever possible. Try to avoid technical language as much as possible. 4 4 4

5. Dealing with Children Some important things to remember (2)
Keep instruction short and simple.
Look for signs that what you are saying is being understood. A blank expression is a good indication that a child does not understand even if it says it does.
Minimise difficult explanations. For example an attempt to explain the requirements of a successful draw claim in the last two minutes will cause children to switch off and miss other important info. Simply say that such a claim is possible and to ask for help if they reach that point. 5 5 5

6. Dealing with Children Some important things to remember (3)
Some children will find an official watching their game to be off putting but will welcome the same adult being in the vicinity and keeping a general watch over things.
Young children and inexperienced players will require more supervision.
Physical contact should be avoided whenever possible. Even putting a consoling arm around a crying child can be misinterpreted. 6 6 6

7. Setting Up
An important job for any volunteer is setting up the room ready for play.
Some or all of the following may be necessary
Setting up the pieces
Putting out result slips and/or scoresheets
Setting clocks
Arranging seating 7 7 7

8. Setting Up Setting up the pieces
It is important that the pieces are set up in their correct positions. If not a game may have to be restarted.
The board should have a white square on the bottom right.
If it is numbered the white pieces
are on rows 1 and 2 the black ones
on rows 8 and 7. 8 8 8

9. Setting Up Setting up the pieces (2)
The queen goes on its own colour in the centre. The kings and queens are often put on the wrong squares.
The rooks go in the corners with the knights next to them and then the bishops.
Sometimes the bishops and knights are set out wrongly with the bishops next to the rooks.
It is worth checking that the kings and queens and bishops and knights are on the right squares. 9 9 9

10. Setting Up Putting out result slips and/or scoresheets
Some players will record all of their moves on a scoresheet.
These should be available for the players.
Often two scoresheets are put out at each board.
At other events players can take them from a
bundle nearby. 10 10 10

11. Setting Up Putting out result slips and/or scoresheets (2)
Some events will want the players to report the results orally. Others will have result slips where the players will have to fill in a slip with their names opposite the colour, possibly the board number and section. It is very important to check that the result is entered correctly.
The normal scoring system is 1-0 for a white win, 0-1 for a black win and ½-½ for a draw.
Some tournaments give 3 for a win and 1 for a draw. Other scores are possible. 11 11 11

12. Setting Up Setting clocks
Some tournaments will use clocks, either from the beginning or they may be introduced during a longer game.
If these are analogue then it is important to make sure that they are set correctly. 12 12 12

13. Setting Up Setting clocks (2)
If these are digital then the setting can be more complicated. If the volunteer is expected to set these that will require some instruction. 13 13 13

14. Setting Up Arranging seating
It is important that the players meet the right opponent. Volunteers should have a copy of the pairings/draw (the list of games to be played). This should be used to make sure players are sitting in the right place with the right opponent.
Some younger players may require two seats to be stacked on top of each other. Removing a chair to allow wheelchair access might also be needed. 14 14 14

15. General Policing
When play is in progress the best playing conditions should be maintained.
Talking near to games should not be allowed.
Spectators should not be allowed to crowd near boards.
No-one should be allowed to use phones, tablets, etc. This is to avoid accusations of passing on moves to a player. Even if the sound is turned off and it is in aircraft mode, these devices are still capable of running chess engines. 15 15 15

16. General Policing
Make sure that players are not distracting opponents or other players. Things like swinging on a chair or continuous pen clicking can be distracting. With both of these common sense is involved in deciding whether to step in.
Watch for other factors like temperature and sunlight. It might be necessary to have the heating turned on or off or to close curtains to prevent sun shining in a players eyes. 16 16 16

17. Recording Results
As already mentioned there are several ways of collecting results.
The volunteer should make sure that if result slips are used then they are filled in correctly. A common problem is that result slips are handed in with one piece of vital info missing – the result!
If the results are given orally then both players should give the result and agree on it. Be careful of statements such as White won. White could be the name of the player who had the black pieces so the result is 0-1 and not 1-0. 17 17 17

18. Recording Results
If only one player turns up to give the result orally it may be worthwhile sending them to find their opponent for confirmation. It has been known for both players to come up separately and report different results.
If results are entered into a computer from result slips it is important that a check is made to confirm the result slip and the computer agree on the result. 18 18 18

19. Potential Problems
We will now look at how to deal with some of the most common problems that occur.
But first some general advice.
If you are unsure of your decision then check with someone more experienced.
If you are met with two different versions of the same event then look for corroboration. Also check if this corroboration is independent or if it may be biased. 19 19 19

20. Potential Problems
Accompanying adults can often be more of a problem than the children. If a difficult decision has to be made it can avoid miscommunication if they too are informed directly of what is happening.
It is important to stay calm (or at least appear so!). Players of all ages can become very ‘excited’ during an incident. In these situations it is important to be calm and firm. When gathering evidence it may be necessary to do so out of the tournament hall to minimise disruption to other games. Sometimes the two players have to be interviewed out of earshot of each other. 20 20 20

21. Potential Problems
If you are helping out then some knowledge of the Laws of Chess is very useful.
Perhaps the most common problem is a disagreement about touch move.
However, many situations just require common sense. These will be dealt with after touch move but before situations requiring knowledge of chess.
Always remember – if unsure, seek advice. 21 21 21

22. Potential Problems Touch Move
Possibly the most common dispute is over touch move. In chess if a piece is touched it must be moved if it can be. Accidentally brushing a piece does not count as touching.
Scenario: A player (A) calls you over claiming that his opponent (B) has touched a piece but is refusing to move it.
It is usually best to ask B to show you exactly what he did. If A interrupts ask him to be quite until you have heard B.
Now ask A if he agrees with B 22 22 22

23. Potential Problems
Often both players will agree and this makes the decision easy.
If it is a case of accidentally touching a piece on the way to moving another then the claim is rejected.
Often a player is going to make a capture but realises it is a bad move. Here the lifted piece must be moved. If that piece touched the opponent’s one then that is normally considered to be a touched piece so the capture must be completed.
If the two pieces didn’t touch then the piece which was lifted can move to another square. 23 23 23

24. Potential Problems
If the players disagree then the touch move cannot be enforced without strong evidence.
This becomes a game to keep a closer eye on.
The incident should be reported to the Chief Arbiter. Some players have a history of denial of touching pieces. In these cases a second similar incident may be treated a bit differently. Less ‘proof’ may be needed before insisting that the piece is moved. Such a decision should only be made by a qualified arbiter. 24 24 24

25. Potential Problems Displaced Pieces
If a piece is accidentally knocked over then it should be replaced by the player before starting the opponent’s clock.
Where this is not done, the player doesn’t know where the piece should go, or several pieces are knocked over at the same time then the clock should be stopped. When both players are happy that everything has been restored to the correct position the game can be restarted. The opponent can be given extra time or the player have his/her time reduced. The former is more common. 25 25 25

26. Potential Problems
If the players cannot decide and scoresheets are not available or don’t help then the last position that they agree on should be used. This may mean going back to the beginning if it is being played under the normal Laws. If it is a Rapidplay game it continues if the position is legal and the move was played some time ago.
The arbiter can help to decide the position based on what they, or neutral observers, have seen.
It is important that any disagreement is genuine and is not being used by one of the players to gain an advantage. If there are concerns that this is the case a senior arbiter should be summoned. 26 26 26

27. Potential Problems Intimidation
Occasionally a player will say that he is being intimidated or threatened by his opponent. More often a parent will claim their child is being intimidated by another parent.
This is a very difficult situation.
When possible parents should stand behind their offspring to avoid accusations of giving advice. This, of course, means that they are facing the opponent. 27 27 27

28. Potential Problems
If the player has complained then it is possible to ask the parent to move further away as he is distracting the player.
If it is the opponent’s parent that complains then the best course might be to monitor the situation and only take action if you agree.
Many tournaments ban spectators for this type of reason. 28 28 28

29. Potential Problems Accusation of Cheating
These can take various forms.
If there is obvious proof that the claim is valid then the Chief Arbiter should be informed immediately and the game awarded to the cheat’s opponent.
If the player is accused of getting advice from friends then he should be told that his conversations are distracting to his opponent and he should be asked not to have any more until the game is finished. 29 29 29

30. Potential Problems
If the accusation is that he is, for example, going to the toilet too often then this has to be monitored. If the player is leaving on his own move this should be stopped immediately. Inspections of toilet cubicles have been known to find mobile phones in such situations. It might be necessary to ask the player to prove he does not have a phone on him. Such request should only be made by an arbiter.
If the accusation is that he is getting advice electronically then again the game should be monitored. Again the complaint should be passed to an arbiter. 30 30 30

31. Potential Problems Player Claims that you have the Wrong Result
If proper checks are in place then no wrong results should happen but no-one is perfect. The first thing to try to establish is in which round the possible mistake happened.
If there are result slips these should be checked to see if a wrong result was entered. If there are no slips the opponent should be found and asked to confirm the result.
It might surprise how often a player is genuinely mistaken about their total score. 31 31 31

32. Potential Problems Checkmate
Players will often ask the supervisor to confirm that the game has ended in checkmate.
This should only ever be decided by the players themselves. It is easy to confirm that it is mate but what do you do then in the position opposite? Saying it isn’t mate is clearly giving advice. Asking the players to decide when you have confirmed it in other games can have the same effect. 32 32 32

33. Potential Problems Illegal Moves
Under the Laws of Chess if a player completes two illegal moves then he loses. To complete a move the clock must be pressed. If it is corrected before the clock is pressed then it does not count as an illegal move.
Many junior tournaments allow more illegal moves to be played before the game is lost.
Those helping to run junior events should check on this before play begins. 33 33 33

34. Potential Problems
There are usually two reasons for an illegal move. Either the player has moved to the wrong square or the player has failed to notice that they are in check or will be in check as a result of the intended move.
If an illegal move is spotted it should be corrected. Spectators should tell officials if they see one.
The position before the illegal move must be restored. Failing this the last agreed legal position is used (possibly restarting).
If possible the touch move rule should apply. If not the player is free to move another piece. 34 34 34

35. Potential Problems
In Rapidplay and Blitz games illegal moves are treated a bit differently.
If the opponent replies and the arbiter does not step in the game continues. An illegal move can then only be corrected by the two players in agreement.
If the arbiter observes both kings are in check, or a pawn on the rank furthest from its starting position, he shall wait until the next move is completed. Then, if an illegal position is still on the board, he shall declare the game drawn. 35 35 35

36. Potential Problems
With young players a common illegal move is to play a bishop from one coloured square onto another of a different colour.
Knight moves can also lead to errors. Moving 2 squares diagonally is a common mistake.
Castling and en passant are dealt with separately.
Occasionally a player will lift the wrong piece.
E.g. in the diagram K to a4 instead of Q to a4
In that case the king has to be moved. 36 36 36

37. Potential Problems Missing check White immediately plays Qxg7
and says mate and offers his hand.
Black shakes hands but then
remembers that his last move put
White in check.
What happens? 37 37 37

38. Potential Problems
Shaking hands is meaningless. Even an adult could be shocked into accepting the proffered hand.
Many will argue that shaking hands equals resignation. That is not the case.
The position should be reset to the one shown.
White must move the queen to e3 or e5.
(Touch move rule applies.) 38 38 38

39. Potential Problems A discovered check often leads to an illegal move.
Here Black moves the pawn from b4 to b3. White tries to capture the pawn on g7 with his queen for mate.
Black points out that it is check.
Although the queen was touched it has
no legal move. Back is free to move the
king or block with the bishop. 39 39 39

40. Potential Problems
Sometimes a player will move into check. This can be done by moving to an attacked square or by moving a piece which was blocking check. Here White plays Qg5 to threaten mate.
But this leaves the king in check.
Having touched the queen Bc3 is not legal.
White’s best move is to capture the bishop.
The black knight will then take the queen. 40 40 40

41. Potential Problems
If clocks are used the opponent should be given an additional two minutes following an illegal move.
It is useful if the volunteer is able to reset a clock quickly. If not an arbiter should be asked for assistance.
(Digital clocks, even by the same manufacturer, can need different buttons to be pressed before setting can take place. Do not assume that, for example, a DGT Easy will be reset in the same way as a DGT3000.) 41 41 41

42. Potential Problems Castling
Juniors will often ask an arbiter if they are allowed to castle. Like checkmate you should not look at the board and say “Yes” or “No”. You are allowed to explain the rules however.
“You cannot castle if you have moved the king or the rook. You cannot castle if you are in check. You cannot castle if you cross over check or end up with your king in check.” Would be the normal answer. “You can castle if the rook is attacked.”, can be added. 42 42 42

43. Potential Problems
To castle the king moves two squares towards the rook and the rook jumps over. In the second diagram White has castled kingside and Black has castled queenside. 43 43 43

44. Potential Problems En Passant
This is the least understood move. Many juniors are unaware of its existance even when entering a tournament.
Again, if asked it can be explained as, “If a pawn moves forward two squares it can be captured as if it had only moved one. This capture must be played as the next move.”
Illegal en passant captures are many and varied. 44 44 44

45. Potential Problems White has just played the pawn from b2 to b4
It can be capture by either black pawn.
The black pawn will go to b3 and
the white pawn removed. 45 45 45

46. Tears and Tantrums
Children can be prone to tears. The tantrums usually come from the parents!
Losing at chess can be quite an emotional experience for a youngster. This is especially true if the loss has come about as a result of an officials decision.
It is good practice to take a distraught child to its accompanying adult. It is inadvisable to be alone with a child, particularly if that child is upset.
Irate parents should be directed up the chain of command. 46 46 46

47. Summary Try to ensure that the Laws of Chess are followed.
Make sure that everything needed is set out properly before play starts.
Try to ensure that the playing conditions are as good as possible.
Seek help from more experienced officials if needed.
Accusations against officials are rare. Make sure your actions minimise the chances of any allegation being made. 47 47 47