The terms used to refer to people who ensure that the laws of sports are adhered to in physical indoor and outdoor activities are ‘umpires’ and ‘referees.’

But the guardian of law in chess is an arbiter, a fancy name, perhaps in tune with the cerebral nature of the game.

Arbiters have wide ranging responsibilities. Overseeing a chess tournament has its own intricate problems, even though it appears a cakewalk for an outsider.

Prof. R. Anantharam, 61, is the chief arbiter for the SDAT-Ramco world junior chess championship, which is under way in the city.

The top official, India’s only international Grade ‘A’ arbiter, has rich experience in the field. He has worked as an assistant arbiter in three world youth world championships, besides conducting four continental events as chief.

Anantharam had been a club-level player before he took up arbitration seriously. Sivakasi, his native place, used to conduct chess tournaments regularly even in the 70s and 80s.

Watching those events helped kindle the fire in the chemistry professor at a reputable college in the printing and fireworks hub.

“Chess has always been a passion for me. I enjoy my work, which is not easy by any means. I will stop once I feel I’m not doing a competent job because arbitration calls for utmost involvement,” Anantharam said.

Like officials in other disciplines, chess arbiters must also be masters of the rules of their sport. “We have extra work such as finalising the pairings and the regulations of a tournament. Besides, we must be thorough in rating and title regulations,” he said.

Arbiters, Anantharam said, shouldn’t be awed by the reputation of players.

“Some players don’t respect us. They think what an arbiter knows. Arbiters should prove their worth through work,” he added.

The seasoned arbiter recounted some of the challenging decisions he had to make in his career. “I faced a tricky situation in Kolkata two years ago when a French GM started dozing off during a round. He was drunk. His action, or inaction, distracted other players. The Frenchman had become an object of curiosity. I decided to wake him up to ensure that other players concentrated on their boards.
Some criticized my action, saying I should have allowed the sleeping player to lose the game on time trouble. But my decision came in for praise from the majority,” he said.

A former world champion from China once lodged a complaint against Anantharam, saying that the arbiter had disturbed her during a game.

“All I did was to ask her to write down her moves as mandated by the rules. She hadn’t noted down four consecutive moves. The Chinese had no problems in complying with my orders but she chose to bring the matter to the attention of the chief arbiter later on. But the ruling of the chief was in my favour and she gracefully accepted his decision,” he recalled.

Referees, umpires and arbiters are not candidates for popularity contests among players.

But Anantharam’s stellar work over three decades has made him a hugely popular figure among players of all age groups. It is a reward the man who enjoys great chemistry with chess may cherish.