In OTB blitz rules (absolute time) here you’re not even allowed to press the clock when the opponent responded before you pressed the clock.
I think this is partly to prevent flagging the opponent by stalling. So they can prevent their last seconds getting eroded away in small amount by saying “pass” before you pressed the clock.
And of course you should press the clock with the same hand you used for placing the stone, so that probably takes at least ~0.2 seconds to do, which is long enough for your opponent to quickly say “pass”.
This is unreasonable.
In this way, the trailing side can move around without any scruples and fill every space on the board.
But the leading side needs to keep their eyes open and carefully check every place to see if there are atari, cut off, or if the opponent may be able to survive in their own territory.
I think this actually encourages time attacks and mischief.
I’m sorry, but I don’t understand your line of reasoning. How does that clock rule encourage mischief? I think it’s the opposite, making mischief less advantageous.Those clock pressing rules just provide some potential defence for a player who is short on time, so that they may avoid losing on time when the game is (nearly) over.
Besides those clock pressing rules, OTB blitz rules here also state that in a blitz tournament, attempting to flag your opponent by stalling (playing nonsense moves inside territory when there are no more points left) can get you disqualified.
For the trailing side, he can try anything.
Because if he does nothing, then he also loses.
He just needs to keep attacking.
The leading side needs to carefully observe every movement of the trailing side to make the best response.
The trailing side can move immediately after the leading side moves, which will only consume the leading side’s time.
Because the leading side needs to be observed before moving, the trailing side does not.
If the leading player is already very short on time in an earlier phase of the game, they can’t really finish the game with normal play so they will lose even without the trailing player resorting to stalling. So this clock rule typically applies mostly in the latest phase of and endgame that may still be completed in time.
At a very late stage in the game, there shouldn’t be to many threats left and finding the correct response (or if a response is even needed) shouldn’t be too difficult. The defending player should already be aware of potential weaknesses left in their position and when they see the hand of the attacking player move towards one, they already know what to do. I consider that part of blitz game skill. If a player lacks those skills, they should perhaps manage their time more carefully next time to account for the opponent playing some legit forcing moves near the end of the game.
If there is still an unplayed complicated semeai or tsumego left while the game is nearing the finish, it may be wise for a leading defender who is short on time to add a defensive move to remove some potential forcing moves of their opponent, even when it’s likely redundant. I consider that sort of judgement also part of blitz game skill.
Although, not exactly easy to know for sure, it looks somewhat intentional.
Linked to from the blog post within @Sadaharu’s link.
As in they’re both playing fast, and then suddenly Xie Ke doesn’t place the stone in hand and waits like a thirty seconds until the ing clock says something (maybe it’s the main time going into overtime? There’s definitely no countdown like would happen if you were in overtime.)
Interestingly, I actually was in this situation in a tournament that I placed well in and m’y opponent had forgotten to hit thé clock-- neiither of us noticed until I had thought and played m’y move, so I hit it once for them, thén for myself (quickly back and forth – this adding a bit more Fischer Time for them, at least) when it was m’y turn to hit thé clock, as well as warning opponents for low time when no clock sound in multiple rounds.
(many in close games and where thé win was not certain at that point at all)
It seems a shame and also that it’d bé very disappointing for thé other player to lose bécause of that.
And had I noticed sooner, I would have pointed it out sooner.
In thé international rengo tournament, main and other tournaments at thé EGC, that happéned too (forgetting to press thé clock), and players also pointed that out and seemed kind/sportsman-like in général.
Sorry for the late reply. I agree with almost everything you wrote excluding the bolded part. It was not my intention - nor is it anywhere in my expressed opinion - that somehow player A is in any shape, way or form responsible for keeping tabs on what goes on with player B’s clock condition/situation.
Definitely not your responsibility at all.
My point is that if (and only if) I had noticed it, then as far as I am concerned, if I had not pointed it out to the opponent and that external issue led to my victory, then I wouldn’t have felt good about such a result (and the rest of the posts were explaining why).
