How long to wait for players in L19 tournament?

[Joaz Banbeck]

The second round was supposed to be played weeks ago. But one game has not been played yet. There is no set policy for exactly how long players are allowed to wait until they play. How long should I wait before I forfeit one or both of them?

Should I give the win to the one who responds to PMs? Or should I forfeit both?

Or should the TD get involved in scheduling?

I'd like to hear a concensus if possible. Thanks.

[Dusk Eagle]

In general, I'd say the TD should get involved in the scheduling of long-overdue games, to keep the tournament moving at a reasonable pace. If one player is responding to PMs and trying to get a game, and the other isn't making contact, the player who is still active should be given the win. If neither player is reachable, then I would say a double-forfeit is in order. If both players are responding but aren't really making time available to play, and worst comes to worst, you may have to lay down a hard deadline for the game to be played. I don't think you should do this for all rounds though - just do it when the situation is absolutely necessary.

[oren]

I agree with Dusk Eagle... the real problem comes if two people respond but due to timing differences just can't coordinate. I hope it doesn't happen.

[jts]

We need to start with orthographic consensus.

Is there any real logistical hurdle to leaving a blank spot in the pairings for another week or two?

The first candidate for forfeit should be a player who's totally incommunicado. The second candidate should be the player who backed out of the original plans to play, if they can agree on who that was. The third candidate should be the player who has been willing to make himself available on more days/during more hours (again, if they agree). If there's no agreement, they both forfeit.

[Joaz Banbeck]

The third candidate should be the player who has been willing to make himself available on FEWER days/during more hours (again, if they agree)...

Typo? Presumably you meant this?

[Joaz Banbeck]

...
Is there any real logistical hurdle to leaving a blank spot in the pairings for another week or two?
...

Yes. I could do pairings ( telling one person that he will play the winner of X vs Y - whenever they get around to it ) but they would be potentially inferior pairings. By 'inferior', I mean failing to meet the goal of having group A play group B, with A1 playing B1, A2 playing B2, etc. I know that either player X or Y will join group A. I don't know how to order players of group A until I know if player X wins, in which case many of A get pushed up one number, or if Y wins, in which case some get pushed down.

[gurujeet]

Well first my apologies for being one who has slowed things up. My opponent and I have a 5 hour time difference and it was difficult finding a common time plus I went out on vacation. We scheduled for after vacation for last Sunday but he forgot. This has been a very busy week back at work and I've left him a message to see if he wants to play this weekend. Just wanted folks to know it wasn't being blown off or any lack of respect to the other players.

- gurujeet