English Chess Forum

How sturdy is that screen? I can imagine playing a5, then either smashing your hand on it en route to the clock, or sweeping it on to the floor. Doubtless, you'd get used to it.

Kevin - there is a great big hole through which you can make your moves. Unless you tend to play your Bf7 sac with a huge flourish, I am sure you'd manage.

Nick - buy your own screen like those people who used to take their own digital clock when most of us were still struggling with analogue ones.

John Moore wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 18, 2020 7:13 pm

Nick - buy your own screen like those people who used to take their own digital clock when most of us were still struggling with analogue ones.

Bit of a pointless question, no? Given that Nick doesn’t personally see such a screen as necessary. The issue is organisers putting on (legal) tournaments in circumstances that people are prepared to participate. For some people that is creating conditions that players deem safe. But for others it is about creating acceptable playing conditions unrelated to COVID-19.

I’m assuming that Nick’s point is to ask what the costs would be for organisers to put such screen in place (if this were to satisfy the legal requirements for competition). Because whilst he would be prepared to play without a screen he would not be bothered by its presence.

I’m similar. I have no interest whatsoever in playing under some of the suggestions put forward - playing with tablet, utilising two boards set at two metre distance or whatever. But something like this, combined if necessary with wearing masks etc - fine.

The fundamental issues, IMO, for potential organisers whilst fear of COVID-19 exists are

1) (Basic minimum threshold) - what is necessary to legally organise a competition
2) what conditions should be implemented to encourage participation, and to what extent should the priority be implementing “normal” playing conditions (the absence of which will discourage some, particularly those, probably younger, who are less concerned by the risks of the virus) versus maximising perceived “safety” of playing conditions (perhaps slanted towards older/vulnerable playing groups)
2a) and, if financially viable, is it legitimate to prioritise the former over the latter(ie. is there an equalities issue).

Richard Bates wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 18, 2020 8:41 pm

1) (Basic minimum threshold) - what is necessary to legally organise a competition

I'm still confused about this. If you had a venue that can accommodate at least forty people under normal conditions of League play, is it now legal to hold a six board match? That would be up to 12 households meeting indoors.

Difficult to answer as the regulations seem to change

The funeral I am going to on Monday was booked with a limit of 12 people in the crematorium

On Friday the crematorium upped the numbers allowed inside to 30

Makes no sense

Some photos here from the Chess 960 tournament. I don't think any of them show a player reaching through the plexiglas screen to make a move though.

The organisers say "players were able to make the pleasing observation that these [protection measures] did not distort the spirit of the game."

John Moore wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 18, 2020 7:13 pm

Nick - buy your own screen

I suppose I would then discover how much they cost, though I was hoping for a cheaper way of doing that.

Roger de Coverly wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 18, 2020 9:47 pm

Richard Bates wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 18, 2020 8:41 pm

1) (Basic minimum threshold) - what is necessary to legally organise a competition

I'm still confused about this.

You are supposed to be confused. That is the whole point.

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 19, 2020 6:32 am

John Moore wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 18, 2020 7:13 pm

Nick - buy your own screen

I suppose I would then discover how much they cost, though I was hoping for a cheaper way of doing that.

They look like the ones you can see in some pubs - fairly cheap?

Tim Spanton wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 19, 2020 10:23 am

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 19, 2020 6:32 am

John Moore wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 18, 2020 7:13 pm

Nick - buy your own screen

I suppose I would then discover how much they cost, though I was hoping for a cheaper way of doing that.

They look like the ones you can see in some pubs - fairly cheap?

Looks like the price is £69.99 on Amazon

Chris Rice wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 19, 2020 10:32 am

Tim Spanton wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 19, 2020 10:23 am

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 19, 2020 6:32 am

I suppose I would then discover how much they cost, though I was hoping for a cheaper way of doing that.

They look like the ones you can see in some pubs - fairly cheap?

Looks like the price is £69.99 on Amazon

Wow! If that's anywhere near the going rate then I am not surprised Biel only has them for GMs and disabled players.
BTW, I have reached Heathrow Terminal 2, which is busier than I expected (but then Terminal 3 is shut) although most shops are closed (only coffee outlet open is Leon, which has a huge queue and does not do proper coffee anyway)

Tim Spanton wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 19, 2020 11:03 am

Chris Rice wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 19, 2020 10:32 am

Tim Spanton wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 19, 2020 10:23 am

They look like the ones you can see in some pubs - fairly cheap?

Looks like the price is £69.99 on Amazon

Wow! If that's anywhere near the going rate then I am not surprised Biel only has them for GMs and disabled players.

But they could have saved themselves the money by requiring everyone to wear face masks, which are probably much more effective sneeze guards as well. Just watch this video.

Ian Thompson wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 19, 2020 11:43 am

But they could have saved themselves the money by requiring everyone to wear face masks, which are probably much more effective sneeze guards as well. Just watch this video.

If I were given a choice between playing three hour games wearing a face mask or supplying my own screen, I think that I would fork out £70 for the screen.

"Kevin - there is a great big hole through which you can make your moves. Unless you tend to play your Bf7 sac with a huge flourish, I am sure you'd manage."

I always play Bxf7 sacs with a huge flourish.

The thing is you usually make your move, then instinctively move the hand by the shortest route to press the clock. I even tend to play left-handed with white to shorten this distance. With the screen, you have to withdraw the hand and start again.

I'm not sure with masks though as they make it difficult to breathe, and people don't wear them properly. I saw one guy the other day walking along with a takeaway coffee cup. His mask covered much of his beard, but not his mouth and nose...

Seems that indeed players will share a single board, with 1.5m between them.

Juniors will likely have to stand for most moves.