Last year at the British Championships in Liverpool hundreds of juniors took part in a magnificent festival of chess alongside adults in a wide variety of events. Their behaviour particularly at the board was impeccable, even the U8’s and U9’s managed to sit quietly and courteously, listening to instructions before play and showing tremendous self control throughout their games.
In contrast, during a recent match at the Adelphi we witnessed behaviour by a junior member from a visiting team who’s attitude and conduct was at best unfortunate and at worst deplorable, showing blatant disregard for the feelings of his opponent and to the rule regarding player conduct (12.6 It is forbidden to distract or annoy the opponent in any manner whatsoever).
During the game he twisted a plastic pen over the board making a cracking sound, rattled a drink containing ice-cubes and when the glass was empty crunched them noisily, adjusted his opponents pieces when it wasn’t his move and when asked to stop said ‘I don’t have to.’ During the game he also rapped his fingers on the table over and over again. This all took place over a period of at least 15 minutes.
His father intervened eventually but only after our player, former British Correspondence Champion Frank Boyd, had expressed his opinion in no uncertain terms and found it necessary to leave the board to seek advice.
Things came to a head when the young man blundered, losing a pawn and position leaving little choice but to resign which he did by knocking his king onto the floor. Shortly after he left with his father, making no attempt to apologise.
The player is from Widnes, the same ‘club’ Grandmaster Davies says he is proud to play for and where he hopes to ‘pass on a few tricks of the trade so that other members improve as well.’ Maybe the tricks he is referring to include behaviour of this sort, or the conduct of players he is keen to improve, which is it?
The incident alone is unremarkable; a teenager losing his rag, perhaps tired, stressed or just not in the mood, but add it to the catalogue of incidents Atticus Chess Club have been subjected to this season, a picture is emerging. Only last year Davies talked openly about ‘…REAL intimidation next season…’ and now we can see what this means for chess in Merseyside.
