Faig Hasanov: "Japanese player's game forfeited due to mobile phone"
On the fourth day of the Olympiad, chief arbiter of the 42nd Chess Olympiad and Vice President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation, Faig Hasanov, held a press conference.
The press service of the Baku Chess Olympiad quoted Hasanov as saying, "We are now into the fourth round of the Olympiad. It is usually the first round that may be difficult, as some teams or players may be late. There may be organizational matters too. After the first round, all the outstanding issues were resolved. So far we are doing a great job."
Faig Hasanov said that the Olympiad brings together arbiters from five continents. “There are a total of 192 arbiters representing five continents in the Olympiad. Some of them make sure that the players do not use outside assistance. Thirteen arbiters oversee that in the Olympiad. There are 30 Azerbaijani arbiters and they are all doing a great job."
The chief arbiter of the Olympiad said some teams had not participated in the first round. "Any delays are not our responsibility because the Baku Chess Olympiad Organizing Committee and the Operating Committee have done everything possible to facilitate the arrivals of delegations. President Ilham Aliyev has signed an executive order regarding visa procedures, allowing all our visitors the opportunity to obtain visas without any hassle. Delays happen in every Olympiad. This is normal. Sometimes teams can't find the money to join the competition. According to FIDE rules, the host country can assist economically poor countries by allocating a certain amount. We have met all our commitments in this respect."
Faig Hasanov also clarified the issue of a Japanese player's game in the third round being forfeited. "All teams have been instructed not to carry watches, pens and telephones into the playing hall. However, the Japanese player competing on the fourth board had a mobile telephone. The arbiters noticed that and the player's game was forfeited. The issue of disqualifying him from the rest of the tournament was also discussed, but the decision was made that it would be a second punishment. If anything like that happens again, then he will be disqualified."
Faig Hasanov said no contact even with team captains was allowed to the players. "Rules have been tightened to avoid any outside interference during games. Teams, captains and coaches are monitored. Attention is paid to every single detail. In fact, even smoking places for players and captain have been separated to prevent any contact. In the Tromso Olympiad, the situation was uncontrollable. FIDE recognizes the work we have done in Baku in this respect. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov needed a medicine yesterday. Team captain Alexey Dreev approached me and asked for permission. I said that the medicine could be given to Shakhriyar by the doctor, so that there is no other contact."
Being the chief arbiter of the Olympiad, Hasanov shied away from commenting on the performance of Azerbaijani players, but said that the Baku Olympiad had already gone down in history. "I have been involved in all the Olympiads since 1984. I can say for sure that this will be the most memorable one. This is not just my opinion - everyone shares this view."
Faig Hasanov also described President Ilham Aliyev's support of the national chess teams as a historic event. “The head of state usually meets with sportsmen after a competition. This time, however, Mr. President was there before the start of the first round. This is a historic event. This confidence on the part of the head of state boosts team spirits a lot. The kind words and wishes of good luck provide a good motivation for the players who do their best to live up to these expectations".
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