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Estate News never prove their accusation. Smoking be played) has drawn up a set of rules

CHess by and blowing smoke in an opponent’s to punish those who are guilty of poor

face were considered part and parcel
chess etiquette. Certain players still
of the game. Horrible smelling fumes
cannot refrain from gloating when they
win games, or swearing at and belittling
from pipe-smoking opponents were
their opponents when they lose. These
part of everyday chess tactics too. Other
methods, such as talking to oneself to
uncouth louts unfortunately are not
put off the opponent, were also used.
brought to task and banned from playing.
One of the worst examples of disrespect
Another well-known tactic often used
by coffee house chess players when
playing is to deliberately spill coffee or
reaches the following position with Black
to move next. The position is totally lost
other liquid refreshment over the chess occurs when the position in a game
astering the art of strategic board, especially if the opponent is in for Black. Black has 7 minutes left on his
thinking in chess is not an severe time trouble, and then claim a win clock to make his remaining moves in a
Measy task. It can be likened to a when the opponent loses on time even 10-minute game. Knowing the position is
doctor who must make a diagnosis and though one’s position is lost. totally lost, he does not resign but decides
then decide how to cure the ills of his Mikhail Tal’s stare at the chess board not to move and lose on time or merely
patient. For most chess players, strategic was infamous and, to some, ominous. disconnects from the game, making his
analysis planning is a tiresome process With his deep brown, almost black eyes, opponent wait 7 minutes until his time is
and it is easier to resort to underhand he’d glare so intently at his opponents up.
tactics and strategies to win a game. Let that some said he was attempting
us look at some of the underhand tactics to hypnotise them. The Hungarian-
and strategies used by world class chess American Pal Benko put on dark glasses
players to win their games. to ward off Tal’s sardonic stare at the
The first player who used underhand board. He got a friend to rush out to buy
tactics to unnerve his opponent was the most grotesque shades he could find,
Howard Staunton who used to take hours which he wore during his next game
before making his moves against his against Tal. The dark glasses did not help
opponent especially if he was in a losing and Benko still lost.
position. Eventually, the game would A well-known Russian master used the
be declared a draw because the time for following method to upset his opponent’s
the completion of the game had come thinking at a critical time of the game. The
to an end. Players playing Staunton then master would tap a chess piece on the side
suggested that a time limit with clocks be of the table. The sound was barely audible,
used to limit the person who was making but the pace was such that it affected his
excessive use of time. Staunton refused to opponent’s mental process, resulting in
play Paul Morphy under these conditions, careless errors. Apparently, this technique Chess is a brutal game in which no
saying it was completely unfair if he was was an offspring of the Soviet studies on quarter is asked or given, but to resort
not allowed to consider his moves for as hypnosis and mind control. to devious low-down cunning to win is
long as he liked. After the introduction Chess, like any game, has its fair share showing a total lack of respect for your
of chess clocks to tournament chess, of bad sportsmanship and some players opponent. Such behaviour, I believe,
Staunton disappeared from the exhibit downright bad manners and shows fundamental flaws in one’s
international chess scene. treat their opponents with disdain. Let character and personality.
The next player who used underhand us look at a few examples. Many chess The question is, how low down are
tactics was the world champion who players who play chess via the internet you prepared to go and forego your
used to smoke foul smelling cigars to complain about bad behaviour and lack principles in order to achieve success?
put his opponents off. Some opponents of respect from their opponents. Lichess This does not only apply to chess, but to
accused Lasker of cheating but could (a website that allows internet chess to other games and life as well.

12 • Issue 9 2020 • The Villager