Chairman Addresses Timing of Emergency Championship Calls

GENEVA — Sir Reginald P. Worthington III, Chairman of the International Championship Sanctioning Committee, has responded to renewed questions concerning the timing of emergency World Championship authorizations.

The questions follow reports that reigning champion Stephen Boudreau has received official telephone notifications shortly before winning otherwise recreational matches.

Some participants have suggested that the timing of these calls provides the champion with an unfair advantage.

Sir Reginald rejected that characterization.

“The Committee has always endeavored to make its decisions when the available information is most complete,” he said.

“At the beginning of a match, a great deal remains uncertain. By the final hand, we are generally in a much better position to assess the situation.”

The Chairman further clarified that emergency sanctioning calls are placed at the Committee’s discretion and are not initiated by Mr. Boudreau.

Asked whether other competitors could request similar authorizations, the Office of the Secretariat confirmed that emergency applications are accepted in writing with ten business days’ notice.

The Office also reminded interested parties that Sir Reginald does not accept incoming telephone calls.

The Chairman does, however, place outgoing calls when necessary.

The Committee sees no inconsistency in these arrangements.