Article 12.9.4 Laws of Chess

Question

Article 12.9.4 of FIDE Laws of Chess: increasing the points scored in the game by the opponent to the maximum available for that game

Can you give an example of a rule violation penalized under 12.9.4?

Answer 1

It is perhaps worth starting by saying that Article 12.9 -

12.9 Options available to the arbiter concerning penalties:

applies to "things which the arbiter wants to apply a penalty for" and so includes other things as well as rule violations.

That said, according to Article 11.6:

11.6 Infraction of any part of Articles 11.1 – 11.5 shall lead to penalties in accordance with Article 12.9.

It is also worth saying that the penalties outlined in 12.9.1 through 12.9.9 are not exclusive. So that, for instance, a player caught cheating is likely to have penalties 12.9.4 (opponent scores maximum), 12.9.5 (player's score reduced, almost certainly to zero) and 12.9.9 (expulsion from the competition) all applied.

Use of physical violence by a player is also likely to result in multiple penalties.

As to particular FIDE rules which would result in such penalties it is worth noting that there is no specific "no cheating" rule! Although

11.3.1 During play the players are forbidden to use any notes, sources of information or advice, or analyse any game on another chessboard.

and

11.3.2.1 During a game, a player is forbidden to have any electronic device not specifically approved by the arbiter in the playing venue.

both describe particular methods of cheating.

Physical violence would be an extreme violation of:

11.5 It is forbidden to distract or annoy the opponent in any manner whatsoever.

and quite possibly:

11.1 The players shall take no action that will bring the game of chess into disrepute