(Chess) Life Returning To Normal

[Tim Spanton]

Yes both times. We stayed in an air bnb apartment within walking distance. I think the Olympic is actually two hotels about 100 metres apart. So I think most stay in one and play in the other. It’s a decent enough venue. Everyone plays in a big conference type room on the ground floor. Generally very well organised as they’ve had plenty of practice.

Yes, I've played in their events at Brno, Olomouc, Trebic and Hradec Kralove - all good value. I may well go to their Sunny Beach event next month ...

I understand it's a couple of metro journeys at least from Prague airport to the venue?

[Matt Bridgeman]

A good tip is to download an Uber app. It works like a dream in Prague. Very cheap travel!

[JustinHorton]

The metro in Prague does not go to the airport

[Tim Spanton]

A good tip is to download an Uber app. It works like a dream in Prague. Very cheap travel!

Thanks. I have never used Uber - perhaps now is the time to learn as otherwise I have to catch a shuttle to the tube and then change once on the tube, and then find my way to the hotel (albeit only a 5min walk apparently).
We (have to) learn something every day.

[Ian Thompson]

The metro in Prague does not go to the airport

No, it doesn't. But there are airport buses that go to 2 or 3 different metro stations allowing you to easily get to the centre of Prague using public transport.

[Ian Thompson]

find my way to the hotel (albeit only a 5min walk apparently).

I'd be surprised if it takes that long. It's only 150 - 200 m from the nearest metro station exit and will be visible when you exit the station.

I haven't played in Prague before, but the venue hotel (4stars altho it has some bad reviews online) seems v reasonable:

double rooms, type „standard room“, four-star hotel facilities, price including breakfast and WiFi connection 50 EUR/room and night, if only 1 person occupies the room, 42 EUR/room and night is charged
triple rooms, type „standard room“, four-star hotel facilities, price including breakfast and WiFi connection 68 EUR/room and night

Was it at the Olympik Congress when you played there?

I've played there, but never stayed there. I preferred the Hilton which is on the same road and within walking distance, or a couple of stops on the metro. If the Olympik hotel bedrooms are of the same standard as the public areas don't set your expectations very high. I think the price you're paying is likely to be a better reflection of what you'll get than the number of stars.

[Tim Spanton]

find my way to the hotel (albeit only a 5min walk apparently).

I'd be surprised if it takes that long. It's only 150 - 200 m from the nearest metro station exit and will be visible when you exit the station.

I haven't played in Prague before, but the venue hotel (4stars altho it has some bad reviews online) seems v reasonable:

double rooms, type „standard room“, four-star hotel facilities, price including breakfast and WiFi connection 50 EUR/room and night, if only 1 person occupies the room, 42 EUR/room and night is charged
triple rooms, type „standard room“, four-star hotel facilities, price including breakfast and WiFi connection 68 EUR/room and night

Was it at the Olympik Congress when you played there?

I've played there, but never stayed there. I preferred the Hilton which is on the same road and within walking distance, or a couple of stops on the metro. If the Olympik hotel bedrooms are of the same standard as the public areas don't set your expectations very high. I think the price you're paying is likely to be a better reflection of what you'll get than the number of stars.

Thanks!

[Matt Mackenzie]

uk minimise bubbles. So 8-12 months?

What does this term even mean?

[Roger Lancaster]

uk minimise bubbles. So 8-12 months?

What does this term even mean?

Something to do with West Ham losing, perhaps?

[Tim Spanton]

A good tip is to download an Uber app. It works like a dream in Prague. Very cheap travel!

Thanks. I have never used Uber - perhaps now is the time to learn as otherwise I have to catch a shuttle to the tube and then change once on the tube, and then find my way to the hotel (albeit only a 5min walk apparently).
We (have to) learn something every day.

Ha! I have downloaded Uber but am unable to add a Payment Method - I put my credit card details in but the NEXT button does not light up. Very frustrating (I have messaged Uber but am not holding my breath)

[Simon Rogers]

Neil Graham

No evidence of a causal link? - It may just be that people have more time to report deaths. Difficult to measure but although some well known figures have died I sense with more time some more local players have also been reported that might not otherwise have been the case.

I think Neil and Mr Melsom are both right.Excess deaths have increased and sadly that includes chess players.
I have more time on my hands since lockdown as there is no adult and junior chess clubs. No league matches or Congresses.
As a result I joined the forum and have posted six Deaths and Obituaries myself which wouldn't have been posted.
Regrettably I have another couple to post soon.
I think also since the start of lockdown the number of posts on the forum has generally increased.
I have posted a lot myself but not as many the last six weeks.
The best thing we can all do during these tough times is to support each other on the forum.

[Mick Norris]

With the death yesterday of my Uncle, there have been 8 people I know who have died this year, of whom 3 were chess teammates; none of the 8 were anything to do with Covid-19; it has just been an awful year

[Tim Spanton]

Yes both times. We stayed in an air bnb apartment within walking distance. I think the Olympic is actually two hotels about 100 metres apart. So I think most stay in one and play in the other. It’s a decent enough venue. Everyone plays in a big conference type room on the ground floor. Generally very well organised as they’ve had plenty of practice.

Yes, I've played in their events at Brno, Olomouc, Trebic and Hradec Kralove - all good value. I may well go to their Sunny Beach event next month ...

I understand it's a couple of metro journeys at least from Prague airport to the venue?

And there goes Sunny Beach (from CzechTour):

SUNNY BEACH OPEN 2020, BULGARIA
The Sunny Beach Open 2020 festival was unfortunately cancelled due to coronavirus situation in Bulgaria. Other festivals such as Summer Prague Open and Czech Open Pardubice will take place as stated in regulations.

[Tim Spanton]

But a new entry at Prague:

Player info
ENG
Name Khoury Theo
Starting rank 196
Rating 1609
Rating national 0
Rating international 1609
Points 0
Rank 196
Federation ENG
Ident-Number 0
Fide-ID 480703
Year of birth 2010

[Tim Spanton]

A good tip is to download an Uber app. It works like a dream in Prague. Very cheap travel!

Thanks. I have never used Uber - perhaps now is the time to learn as otherwise I have to catch a shuttle to the tube and then change once on the tube, and then find my way to the hotel (albeit only a 5min walk apparently).
We (have to) learn something every day.

Ha! I have downloaded Uber but am unable to add a Payment Method - I put my credit card details in but the NEXT button does not light up. Very frustrating (I have messaged Uber but am not holding my breath)

It seems the Uber app does not like some postcodes with only five digits/letters. Eventually found advice online given to someone with a not dissimilar problem to login in via a computer and add payment details that way ... and it worked!