English Chess Forum

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 23, 2021 2:14 pm

There's an opportunity to do a reset on all of it, including whether travelling in the depths of winter should continue

Don't forget that from now on any health crisis, for instance a flu outbreak, is likely to be met by some form of lockdown.

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 23, 2021 2:14 pm

There's an opportunity to do a reset on all of it, including whether travelling in the depths of winter should continue

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 23, 2021 3:19 pm

Don't forget that from now on any health crisis, for instance a flu outbreak, is likely to be met by some form of lockdown.

That is a grim prediction.

However, to the extent that it is true, it strengthens the case for ceasing to hold 4NCL OTB weekends in December, January and February.

As for the incomplete 2019 -2020 season, the least bad option might be to complete Division 1 as soon as reasonably possible and abandon the rest.

Am I really the only person who really doesn't like the idea of summer chess OTB?

Summer evening leagues always seem to have far fewer players than winter ones.

4NCL is normally early November, then early January & February; it could be an idea to go October, November, then March, April, May, although Easter being a moveable feast is a difficulty

I'd agree to some extent with Martin about summer chess, although in actually think in the 4NCL case, the problem would be getting hotels at a reasonable price, given they can probably book out all summer for weddings

"Am I really the only person who really doesn't like the idea of summer chess OTB?"

No.

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 23, 2021 3:19 pm

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 23, 2021 2:14 pm

There's an opportunity to do a reset on all of it, including whether travelling in the depths of winter should continue

Don't forget that from now on any health crisis, for instance a flu outbreak, is likely to be met by some form of lockdown.

Why?

Richard Bates wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 23, 2021 7:04 pm

Why?

Because, as blurted out last week by Neil Ferguson, a year ago they didn't know they could get away with it. Now they do.

There isn't going to be a lockdown because of bog-standard flu, lets be realistic here

There is a great opportunity for a restructuring of the league, and it will be good to hear of proposals.

Matt Mackenzie wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 23, 2021 8:05 pm

There isn't going to be a lockdown because of bog-standard flu, lets be realistic here

I hope you're right, but Johnson is committed to "following the science", and the scientists he listens to love lockdowns.

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 23, 2021 7:46 pm

Richard Bates wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 23, 2021 7:04 pm

Why?

Because, as blurted out last week by Neil Ferguson, a year ago they didn't know they could get away with it. Now they do.

They didn't know if they could get away with it, even for an extremely dangerous virus that spreads like wildfire. There is a danger that if something like Swine Flu turns up again there will be an initial over-reaction based on the current pandemic, but ultimately they are not going to be repeating the strategy for known, less dangerous viruses like seasonal flu, that have existing vaccine programs.

Those of us that have flu jabs will get it in October and play chess that afternoon.

One of the considerations if there is 4NCL otb chess played over the summer is ECF membership.

The ECF rating system gives a monthly update and what that shows is that there has been no otb chess played since March 2020 with minimal exceptions. In a totally unscientific sample I looked at rated players called "Smith" and of 166 with published ratings just two have played a rated game since March 2020 and one of these lives in the Isle of Man. Similarly just 50 of these players have current ECF membership. I have read somewhere on this board that take-up of membership is around 40%; the figures above suggest it is less than that.

If 4NCL restarts in the summer prospective team players will not want to cough up an extra £39.00 for two or three games at gold membership levels. I recall that in 4NCL On-Line Season 2 anyone who played in the first match (August 25th) had to pay for the privilege for ECF membership for one week if they were a non-member and then pay again for Round Two which was at the start of September as the ECF Membership year ends at 31st August. If the 4NCL recommences in Summer anyone who was a member in March 2020 should be allowed to play without further dues and demands made; after all these players effectively lost all opportunities to play after March 2020.

If we assume, that hopefully, otb recommences fully in Autumn of this year that is the time for chess to get back into gear. Like many others on the board, I am sure we will have lost clubs/members over lock-down.

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 23, 2021 4:56 pm

4NCL is normally early November, then early January & February; it could be an idea to go October, November, then March, April, May, although Easter being a moveable feast is a difficulty

Wouldn't that feel like a really weirdly long break?

The other problem was moving dates is likely finding gaps in the calendar. The NCCU calendar was seriously congested in terms of free weekends pre Covid, maybe it'll be less so now.

Neil Graham wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 24, 2021 7:11 am

One of the considerations if there is 4NCL otb chess played over the summer is ECF membership.

If 4NCL restarts in the summer prospective team players will not want to cough up an extra £39.00 for two or three games at gold membership levels. I recall that in 4NCL On-Line Season 2 anyone who played in the first match (August 25th) had to pay for the privilege for ECF membership for one week if they were a non-member and then pay again for Round Two which was at the start of September as the ECF Membership year ends at 31st August.

Have the ECF membership rules changed? What you say would not have been the case in the past. Previously, memberships could be purchased from July onwards for the following year, so a non-member (re)joining in July would get membership for 14 months.