(Chess) Life Returning To Normal

[John Reyes]

Very correct. And totally impractical. Who'd want to undertake all this faff just for a game of chess? And it still doesn't eliminate the risks impacting on key at-risk groups. Good try, mes amis, but no cigar

The French, being the French will have a load of rules. And just ignore them.

What about the USA??

[Tim Spanton]

Photos of the German seniors tournament that has been running in Bischofsgrün, Bavaria

http://chessorg.de/bischofsgruen.php

[NickFaulks]

I'm not sure that I wish to see photos of chess being played in other countries. I find it less encouraging than distressing.

[Roger de Coverly]

I'm not sure that I wish to see photos of chess being played in other countries.

Two tables, two sets, one clock.

I suppose your clock button is no further away than i8.

[Mick Norris]

ECF and Government guidance to clubs

[Roger de Coverly]

Government guidance

in which

Indoor gatherings are limited to members of any 2 households (or support bubbles); while outdoor gatherings are limited to members of any 2 households (or support bubbles), or a group of at most 6 people from any number of households.

and

2d: Vulnerable people

Certain groups of people are at increased risk of severe disease from coronavirus (COVID-19), including all people aged 70 or over. Such individuals are advised to stay at home as much as possible and, if they do go out, to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside of their household.

I've seen suggestions that the legal position and the guidance aren't the same.

[Tim Spanton]

Government guidance

in which

Indoor gatherings are limited to members of any 2 households (or support bubbles); while outdoor gatherings are limited to members of any 2 households (or support bubbles), or a group of at most 6 people from any number of households.

and

2d: Vulnerable people

Certain groups of people are at increased risk of severe disease from coronavirus (COVID-19), including all people aged 70 or over. Such individuals are advised to stay at home as much as possible and, if they do go out, to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside of their household.

I've seen suggestions that the legal position and the guidance aren't the same.

I think you may have inadvertently curtailed the advice, which is:

From 4 July, users of community facilities should limit their social interactions to 2 households (including support bubbles) in any location; or, if outdoors, potentially up to 6 people from different households. It will be against the law for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place.
However, premises or locations which are COVID-19 secure will be able to hold more than 30 people, subject to their own capacity limits, although any individual groups should not interact with anyone outside of the group they are attending the venue with – so in a group no larger than 2 households or 6 people if outdoors.
Where gatherings have more than 30 people, those operating venues should take additional steps to ensure the safety of the public and prevent large gatherings or mass events from taking place. At this time, venues should not permit indoor performances, including drama, comedy and music, to take place in front of a live audience.

[Paul Buswell]

"I've seen suggestions that the legal position and the guidance aren't the same".

This is not comment on the particular issue about community facilities, but I believe that in general there has been a lack of distinction in media reporting, indeed in English government announcements, between what is a guideline (however firmly expressed) and what is the actual law.

PB

[Adam Raoof]

Golders Green on Sept 12 is booked, and I wondered whether that might be realistic? I am sure you are all asking these questions too, but

What measures are the venues taking to keep the venue / toilets clean during events?
What are the venues requirements for hirers? Advice is to clean the toilets every 15 minutes.

My short term plan is to see how things go, I actually don’t mind waiting till January to restart chess tournaments at St Luke’s.

I just need to check that my public liability insurance is still valid!!

My thoughts about arrangements I would need to introduce for tournaments;

temperature taken at the door, no entry if you have a temperature
maximum 80 players
One game per 6 ft table, 40 tables
Reduced to 4 sections in total
no spectators
this also means no younger players needing accompanying parents
no payments on the day (all in advance, so no handling cash or cards)
I will offer players a free transfer if notified by XX because we could see a second wave at some point
hand gel provided at the arbiters desk
A one way system (spray on the floor in temporary paint)
no refreshments but free water, tea and coffee so we can use both rooms for players
no handshakes
wearing masks at the board will be compulsory (not sure we can provide them)

what do you think?

[Alex McFarlane]

no refreshments but free water, tea and coffee so we can use both rooms for players

Hi Adam,

I've seen it stated that there should be no refreshments at all except those brought by the players themselves which they should also take away with them.

I cannot remember where I saw this (ECF Guidelines?) but it registered because I immediately thought that would affect availability of some venues unless they changed their policy.

[Tim Spanton]

Golders Green on Sept 12 is booked, and I wondered whether that might be realistic? I am sure you are all asking these questions too, but

What measures are the venues taking to keep the venue / toilets clean during events?
What are the venues requirements for hirers? Advice is to clean the toilets every 15 minutes.

My short term plan is to see how things go, I actually don’t mind waiting till January to restart chess tournaments at St Luke’s.

I just need to check that my public liability insurance is still valid!!

My thoughts about arrangements I would need to introduce for tournaments;

temperature taken at the door, no entry if you have a temperature
maximum 80 players
One game per 6 ft table, 40 tables
Reduced to 4 sections in total
no spectators
this also means no younger players needing accompanying parents
no payments on the day (all in advance, so no handling cash or cards)
I will offer players a free transfer if notified by XX because we could see a second wave at some point
hand gel provided at the arbiters desk
A one way system (spray on the floor in temporary paint)
no refreshments but free water, tea and coffee so we can use both rooms for players
no handshakes
wearing masks at the board will be compulsory (not sure we can provide them)

what do you think?

I would be strongly against compulsory masks. The German event I linked to showed it was not compulsory there, and it will not be at Biel - left to individual discretion

[David Sedgwick]

Golders Green on Sept 12 is booked, and I wondered whether that might be realistic? I am sure you are all asking these questions too, but

What measures are the venues taking to keep the venue / toilets clean during events?
What are the venues requirements for hirers? Advice is to clean the toilets every 15 minutes.

My short term plan is to see how things go, I actually don’t mind waiting till January to restart chess tournaments at St Luke’s.

I just need to check that my public liability insurance is still valid!!

My thoughts about arrangements I would need to introduce for tournaments;

temperature taken at the door, no entry if you have a temperature
maximum 80 players
One game per 6 ft table, 40 tables
Reduced to 4 sections in total
no spectators
this also means no younger players needing accompanying parents
no payments on the day (all in advance, so no handling cash or cards)
I will offer players a free transfer if notified by XX because we could see a second wave at some point
hand gel provided at the arbiters desk
A one way system (spray on the floor in temporary paint)
no refreshments but free water, tea and coffee so we can use both rooms for players
no handshakes
wearing masks at the board will be compulsory (not sure we can provide them)

what do you think?

ECF and Government guidance to clubs

Hi Adam. I would suggest that you download and complete the ECF document to which Mick linked. That may give you a better feel as to whether or not you wish to go ahead.

"I just need to check that my public liability insurance is still valid!!"

That is crucial, of course.

[MJMcCready]

My thoughts about arrangements I would need to introduce for tournaments;

temperature taken at the door, no entry if you have a temperature

Does this mean gambits are forbidden? I ask because whenever I play them they raise my pulse and sometimes make my blood boil. Would I be removed from play if, for example, I opened with the King's Gambit and started sweating in the opening?

[Kevin Thurlow]

"temperature taken at the door, no entry if you have a temperature"

I would amend that to "an elevated temperature" - I expect everyone here has some sort of temperature!

Looks good though.

I did like the advice,

"At this time, venues should not permit indoor performances, including drama, comedy and music, to take place in front of a live audience."

Many of my own games have featured comedy and drama, and all too often, some sort of band practice has occurred nearby in the building. On the rare occasions that there has been an audience, I could not comment on whether it was live.

[MartinCarpenter]

Temperature checking is one of those things that people like to do because it feels like doing something, but it really isn't a good way to screen.
(Not that there is one!)

no refreshments but free water, tea and coffee so we can use both rooms for players

Hi Adam,

I've seen it stated that there should be no refreshments at all except those brought by the players themselves which they should also take away with them.

I cannot remember where I saw this (ECF Guidelines?) but it registered because I immediately thought that would affect availability of some venues unless they changed their policy.

There's a more basic problem here in fact.

If you've got compulsory mask wearing (a good thing) then there's simply no eating or drinking at all. Like on public transport.

You'd have to let the players go out of the playing area, remove/bag masks, wash hands properly and then go and eat somewhere with appropriate space for distancing. Might be possible for a quick play but you'll need to allow a long time between rounds.