Can players face penalties for accidental infractions in a tournament?

In the context of tournament play, players can indeed face penalties for accidental infractions, and the severity of these penalties can vary. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity of the game and ensure that all players adhere to the rules, regardless of intent.

Accidental infractions can occur during gameplay; however, the rules provide a framework for judges to assess the situation and determine the appropriate response. For instance, minor infractions may warrant a warning, while more serious infractions could lead to more significant penalties. The decision on how to handle the infraction considers factors such as the nature of the violation, whether it was genuinely accidental, and the context in which it occurred.

The idea is to uphold the spirit of fair play while still holding players accountable for their actions, even if those actions were not intentional. Thus, penalties can be applied, but they are not uniformly harsh; rather, they are calibrated to match the specifics of each situation. This approach helps foster an environment where players are encouraged to play within the rules while also recognizing that mistakes can happen.