What do Judges do regarding play errors in a tournament?

Judges play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and smooth progression of a tournament by addressing errors that occur during gameplay. They are responsible for intervening after an error has taken place, ensuring that the game is brought back to a fair state according to the rules. This approach helps to maintain the competitive nature of the tournament while also providing a framework for resolving issues that arise.

While it may be ideal for errors to be prevented completely, it is not the responsibility of judges to stop all play errors from occurring. They cannot anticipate every potential mistake players may make as this is ultimately the responsibility of the players as well. Additionally, while judges can educate players on the rules and proper gameplay through prior announcements and discussions, they do not actively alert players about potential errors before they happen.

Judges also do not only respond to errors that have been reported by players; they are trained to recognize and address situations as they arise, regardless of whether a player has identified them. Their goal is to ensure that the tournament runs smoothly and fairly, which often necessitates taking action when errors are detected during play.