Hans Moke Niemann

American GM

“In Doha, you saw many instances of people knocking over their pieces, pausing the clock, and being forfeited. Ironically, at the technical meeting, I asked what would happen in such a case — if someone were to hit the clock and the piece hadn’t yet been set up. I was told they were simply following regular rules.

It’s quite ironic that this happened. Basically, he hit the clock when the piece wasn’t set up, to prevent himself from flagging, and I got an extra minute.

I personally think it should be a forfeit. But it’s not my job to decide the rules.”