Just some minor corrections... Statements of fact that may not have been accurate...
Snapshot9 said:
There is no sense in arguing all these different scenerios about the shot clock. If they make a change, you can be sure that
it will be a minor one, and not major changes, like extending
the extension to 45 seconds in lieu of 30.
It's possible to extend the extensions to 45 seconds or
extend the whole shot clock to 45 seconds. Most players have their own pace anyway which is faster than 45 or 30 seconds, so it wouldn't matter most of the time. The exception would be those rare moments per game or match, where the game becomes a little more thought provoking. Under the current rules, this thought provoking element is lost and results in rushed, poorly executed shot, often selling out the game (possibly match).
With the current system at 30 seconds, I've heard of pro players having to have practice sessions playing within 30 seconds in order to get used to its ramifications. If the end result is that it forces these top players to play at a faster rythym than they're accustomed, then it loses something in the spirit of the game.
It's no longer who's the best player, but instead who's the best speed player. Heck, let's just make it speed pool, and adjust the shot time down to 15 or 10 seconds.
Obviously, that would be sillyness, but that's just a magnification of what's currently happening to the top players.
The idea was that 45 seconds would still maintain a good flow, but still allow the players the chance to play to their skill.
Snapshot9 said:
To even talk about accumulating shot times, and using on later shots
is clear out in left field, the sheer mechanics of doing something like
that is preposterous.
Technically that's wrong. Systems like that are already done quite easily.
You can go online currently to chess sites (i.e.
www.fics.org - free internet chess server) and play with a shot clock just like you mention.
You can setup the standard time per player per game - i.e. 5 minutes.
In addition, you could setup a base time, and add increments after each opponents turn i.e. 5 minutes + 15 seconds after each turn.
Thus a simple solution, with basic internet connection, is to log onto the fics site, setup the clock preferences and do random moves for each player after every turn, simply to trigger the clock timer accordingly.
Other more elegant solutions are very easy to program.
Snapshot9 said:
Fact is, they are pros, and they have to follow the rules. If they can not
abide by the rules, they have to make adjustments to their game.
Nobody is talking about breaking any rules. The idea is that if there are bad rules, then they should be adjusted. JR is suggesting that 30 second shot clocks are bad.
Snapshot9 said:
As far as a shot clock, as they used to say in the Navy, "either get
with the program, or get out". You can not be all things for all players,
you have a norm and that's the rules.
The question is, what impact would there be if you set the norm to 45 seconds. Would the game be worse and take way too long - doubtful.
Or, would setting the norm to 45 second shot clock, reduce/eliminate the blatantly bogus shots taken in order to fit under the current 30 second time limit? Remember for TV if they really need it shortened, player time between shots can be clipped off by using cutaways. Would be interesting to see a match with cutaways between shots most of the time, than to have whole games cut off, as is currently done.
I and many others in this thread, similarly, suggest the later...
