We all know that being an arbiter is a thankless task, one that requires equal measures of chess knowledge, experience, patience and common sense. However I didn't realise quite how unsuitable I was for the job until I was sent a mail containing the address;
http://www.certificateofmerit.org.uk/main.php
This is a link to a site that - apparently - tests your arbiting skills. Despite numerous attempts I could never even GET to the quiz; and thus failed, what I presume to be the cunning first task, miserably. Are you made of sterner stuff? Better at passwords? Are you an arbiter in the making?
Let's hear your score. And how the hell you actually managed to get to the test page, genius.
It's not the most stable of websites, took me about 20 minutes to actually get into the test. Once there is seemed to time out a couple of times when submitting answers meaning I had to start from the beginning.
Once it settled down I managed only a miserable 7 out of 20 correct answers, way off the 80% required pass mark.
Good job I have no ambitions to become an arbiter in the near future.
I finally got there after following the link on another e-mail and mindlessly clicking combinations of the buttons for 10 minutes. Bit of a swizz, really, not arbiting questions, just general chess ones. I think the idea is that you pass this then sign up to pay for Certificate Of Merit tests. I thought it would be more like You Are The Ref. E.g. Player A has not been recording his moves and is wearing a balaclava. He plays the illegal Nf6-h3+. Player B however has seen a mate and after picking up his opponent's f7 pawn and biting it, he puts it down again, bangs out Qxh7# and punches the clock which falls onto the floor and smashes into smithereens. Player A claims 7 extra minutes on a new clock; Player B claims the game, the match for his team, and a free Bacardi Breezer.
You must have been on the wrong thing! it's not a very clear website but you need to select the FIDE arbiters test. I did the same thing first time, got a different test with 20 very easy chess questions. I'd have been very worried if I only got 7 out of 20 on that test!
The arbiters test is much harder, I've not come across a question about demolishing clocks or balaclava clad players yet though...
Triple success! A) I got onto the website and managed to navigate it. B) I actually found and took the arbiter's test, and C) I scored a whopping 40%, or 8/20 - a mere 8 correct answers away from the 80% pass mark; though I must admit I rarely had a clue what they were talking about in any case and simply had a wild guess at the prize money question... I think I'll go back to the pub-quiz style exam I first took which consisted of counting squares and identifying bishops.
What's a mere 8 questions amongst chess players? i'd stick to the balaclava and baseball bat if I were you, you can solve most chess disputes with those...
