Press release of the ACP Board
ACP Board [Mon Feb 19th, 16:23]
In view of some recent events in the cheating controversy and several hasty comments from the press, the ACP Board has decided to clarify its position on the matter.
The ACP Board does not believe to have the power to establish a verdict based on the available evidences on whether certain players made use of illegal means to improve their playing strength and results. We find it wiser, however, to concentrate our energy on trying to find solutions to the problem of cheating in general.
The situation has become unpleasant, to say the least. Rumours can be very harmful. Recent allegations and articles published in the press create an unhealthy situation in the chess world. We are afraid that a tense atmosphere of reciprocal suspicion among chess players may install itself at future top-tournaments.
We consider it our duty to make everything possible to prevent such a scenario to happen. It would be wrong, however, to pretend that cheating in chess cannot exist, or that no one would ever cheat. Bearing in mind that progress in technology and electronics undoubtedly create more and more cheating opportunities, the problem is real. In our view, the solution involves creating tournament conditions which will not allow cheating altogether. Some important measures have to be taken. It seems obvious, however, that all steps will not be applicable to all kinds of tournaments. The more participants, the more difficult the chance to create perfect conditions.
The ACP Board has written a letter to FIDE in which a set of concrete measures have been proposed to prevent cheating opportunities. A similar letter will also be sent to organizers of the most famous tournaments.
Thus, we hope that temptation will no longer be possible, and that rumours will consequently disappear. The integrity of our chess elite is at stake. We expect a fruitful discussion to lead to important decisions in this matter.
ACP Board
February 19, 2007
The ACP Board does not believe to have the power to establish a verdict based on the available evidences on whether certain players made use of illegal means to improve their playing strength and results. We find it wiser, however, to concentrate our energy on trying to find solutions to the problem of cheating in general.
That is the most logical statement I have seen about the cheating issue.
Gabor
I agree Gabor.
Unfortunately it doesn’t tell us what their proposed preventative measures are. We’ll have to find that out later.
Anti-Cheating Rules
1) No contact with managers, seconds, fans, etc… during games.
2) No handphones, hearing aid, or any other electronic device.
3) Visits to toilet should be accompanied by arbiter.
This PCA statement is just a compilation of several obvious , common sense considerations and offers nothing new.
The hearing aids might become an issue. Some people really need them. Producing a doctor’s certificate might not be enough, since some hearing aids have the ability to receive signals too. It may annoy some people, but they may have to be banned entirely. Can’t have it in your ear, period. Can have it on your person with a doctor’s certificate.
of course Zurab Azmaparashvili solved this problem: “As a lyrical digression I would like to add that there are many places in the world where people do not have electric power, not to mention the Internet and modern technology. So let us hold the most prestigious world competitions in such places both we and chess players will calm down! Everybody will know that they are playing against an individual human opponent and not a machine or any group. Of course in this case a big show will be out of the question, and no prize fund will be offered, to avoid offending local population.”
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=3675
anonymous said: “The hearing aids might become an issue. … It may annoy some people, but they may have to be banned entirely. Can’t have it in your ear, period. …” I’d suggest this not be tried in the US, at least, since it’d would run contrary to the Americans with Disabilities Act. I’d also point out that some people NEED to wear hearing aids. When this was discussed at the most recent USCF delegates meeting, one delegate pointed out that he needed a hearing aid because he suffered from tinnitus (“ringing” in the ear). A rule forbidding hearing aids would be incredibly unfair and would essentially mean that some people simply could not play.
Very, very commendable. I applaud the ACP for this. At last somebody is doing something that can be called rational
I’d suggest this not be tried in the US, at least, since it’d would run contrary to the Americans with Disabilities Act. I’d also point out that some people NEED to wear hearing aids.
>>
What sounds do you need to hear while playing chess? Petrosian usually turned his hearing aid OFF to concentrate better.
It would hardly be disciminatory, since it applies to everyone across the board, and would certainly be better than the alternatives, like making people who need them buy a new one with no reception capability, or banning the hearing impaired from USCF entirely (which, as a private club, they certainly have the right to do).
The ADA is about the workplace, not private clubs. A covered entity is usually a workplace conducting interstate commerce, employing more than 15 people. That really doesn’t apply here.
It’s simple enough to allow people to wear hearing aids only with a medical certificate, surely?
Percy