(Chess) Life Returning To Normal

[David Sedgwick]

Reverting to the subject of the next 4NCL weekend, dare I suggest that the arbiters might be allowed some say as to whether or not it should go ahead?

If arbiters are unwilling to officiate, then the event will not go ahead. That sounds like a lot of say to me.

It's not that simple.

I like to think that the 4NCL arbiter team are reasonably conscientious people. We would not lightly force the cancellation of a weekend by "going on strike".

However, it it were to become clear - and I'm not saying that it will - that 80% of the arbiting team would prefer that the January weekend did not take place, I would hope that both the teams and the 4NCL management would understand and respect that.

[Tim Spanton]

Reverting to the subject of the next 4NCL weekend, dare I suggest that the arbiters might be allowed some say as to whether or not it should go ahead?

If arbiters are unwilling to officiate, then the event will not go ahead. That sounds like a lot of say to me.

It's not that simple.

I like to think that the 4NCL arbiter team are reasonably conscientious people. We would not lightly force the cancellation of a weekend by "going on strike".

However, it it were to become clear - and I'm not saying that it will - that 80% of the arbiting team would prefer that the January weekend did not take place, I would hope that both the teams and the 4NCL management would understand and respect that.

And supposing 80% of the players wanted the weekend to go ahead, would you expect the arbitrating team to respect that?

[Matt Bridgeman]

It’s interesting hearing Brian May (from Queen) talk about his recent Omicron experience. Other than it feeling like the worst flu imaginable, he describes catching it at a birthday party he regrets attending. Triple jabbed and everyone took a lateral flow on the morning of the party. Yet 8 people tested positive on a PCR post-party. Brian said it still took 3 days after that result for his lateral flows to show a positive result. Shows how transmissible the new variant is and how dicey attending chess events might be currently.

[David Sedgwick]

If arbiters are unwilling to officiate, then the event will not go ahead. That sounds like a lot of say to me.

It's not that simple.

I like to think that the 4NCL arbiter team are reasonably conscientious people. We would not lightly force the cancellation of a weekend by "going on strike".

However, it it were to become clear - and I'm not saying that it will - that 80% of the arbiting team would prefer that the January weekend did not take place, I would hope that both the teams and the 4NCL management would understand and respect that.

And supposing 80% of the players wanted the weekend to go ahead, would you expect the arbitrating team to respect that?

I have been saying for months that OTB chess will not get through the current season without goodwill and understanding on all sides.

If a significant number of the arbiters felt that they would be putting their health and welfare at risk by officiating. I like to think that there would not still be 80% of the players wanting the weekend to go ahead.

[Paul Bloom]

It's not that simple.

I like to think that the 4NCL arbiter team are reasonably conscientious people. We would not lightly force the cancellation of a weekend by "going on strike".

However, it it were to become clear - and I'm not saying that it will - that 80% of the arbiting team would prefer that the January weekend did not take place, I would hope that both the teams and the 4NCL management would understand and respect that.

And supposing 80% of the players wanted the weekend to go ahead, would you expect the arbitrating team to respect that?

I have been saying for months that OTB chess will not get through the current season without goodwill and understanding on all sides.

If a significant number of the arbiters felt that they would be putting their health and welfare at risk by officiating. I like to think that there would not still be 80% of the players wanting the weekend to go ahead.

Thank you David for some common sense it now looks like the peak of the latest wave will be mid Jan why would anyone arbiters or players want to put themselves at risk Alex mcfarlane was due to be chief arbiter at Hastings which is now cancelled and also chief Arbiter at 4NCL I hope that guaranteed events submit their findings of the risk assessment to the arbiters and team captains before a final decision is taken . we can always play another game of chess later on as long as we all stay safe . As I said before if just one player is seriously ill from it going ahead in my opinion it would NOT have been worth it . prevention always has to be better than cure and over 147000 people in the uk have not been cured

[Simon Rogers]

I believe the next decision point (with better data) is today. The media are pushing stories about a two week (yeah right) circuit breaker, either in the next week or after Christmas. Johnson has announced restrictions on a Saturday before, so it depends on the mood in Government and if the PM feels lucky with his Backbenchers.

Fingers cross our Monday night impromptu chess club can go ahead. I am looking rather heavily at online options again and using ECF online once we have to shut.

Luckily our chess club, Poulton-le-Fylde, is still going ahead tomorrow. 16 there last Monday, including 4 from Lytham St.Annes Chess Club who were beaten by our second team.
Most members are still keen to meet tomorrow to play club games and exchange Christmas cards.

[Paul Bloom]

Our chess club CCF will also meet tomorrow for the last time until at least 10th Jan but my feeling is that 20 to 30 people from a local area that have all taken an LFT test that day wearing masks {compulsory} and correct ventilation all tables more than 2M apart is very different from what is proposed at the 4NCL mid Jan

[Roger Lancaster]

Our chess club CCF will also meet tomorrow for the last time until at least 10th Jan but my feeling is that 20 to 30 people from a local area that have all taken an LFT test that day wearing masks {compulsory} and correct ventilation all tables more than 2M apart is very different from what is proposed at the 4NCL mid Jan

Paul, which November 4NCL were you at and what was the spacing there like ?

[Paul Bloom]

Our chess club CCF will also meet tomorrow for the last time until at least 10th Jan but my feeling is that 20 to 30 people from a local area that have all taken an LFT test that day wearing masks {compulsory} and correct ventilation all tables more than 2M apart is very different from what is proposed at the 4NCL mid Jan

Paul, which November 4NCL were you at and what was the spacing there like ?

Milton Keynes spacing was terrible all packed together in one room and in DIV 3 with have 34 teams that is over 200 players with lots of people not wearing masks and freely walking around the room also I noted lots of Juniors . which means added numbers of parents in the venue but not the playing room .

[NickFaulks]

Milton Keynes spacing was terrible all packed together in one room

I'm wondering whether we were at the same event. Yes, all in one room, but it was enormous and very widely spaced - I actually missed being able to see the position on an adjacent board without getting up.

[Matt Bridgeman]

Our chess club CCF will also meet tomorrow for the last time until at least 10th Jan but my feeling is that 20 to 30 people from a local area that have all taken an LFT test that day wearing masks {compulsory} and correct ventilation all tables more than 2M apart is very different from what is proposed at the 4NCL mid Jan

Paul, which November 4NCL were you at and what was the spacing there like ?

Milton Keynes spacing was terrible all packed together in one room and in DIV 3 with have 34 teams that is over 200 players with lots of people not wearing masks and freely walking around the room also I noted lots of Juniors . which means added numbers of parents in the venue but not the playing room .

I was told of one player from the Milton Keynes event tested positive shortly afterwards and felt it was from the event. It’s not terribly surprising as it came at time people had become quite complacent with mask wearing. I think we did a 4NCL Congress, the Northumberland Congress, Scarborough and the 4NCL teams, and certainly mask wearers were generally the odd ones out every time. The main problem with Omicron is probably it’s very good at punishing complacency.

[Nick Ivell]

I get why mask wearing might be a good idea. Only problem is, I cannot wear a mask and enjoy chess at the same time.

Chess is enjoyment or it is nothing. So I opt out, now and possibly for ever, as Covid isn't going away.

[Matt Mackenzie]

I get why mask wearing might be a good idea. Only problem is, I cannot wear a mask and enjoy chess at the same time.

Chess is enjoyment or it is nothing. So I opt out, now and possibly for ever, as Covid isn't going away.

It will almost certainly be a bad cold in a year or two from now, if Omicron isn't having that effect already.

With genuine respect, I'm not sure what purpose largely baseless doom laden statements like the above are meant to serve.

[Nick Ivell]

I am not frightened of Covid. I am merely pointing out that masks are likely to be recommended for years to come.

In which case, count me out.

[Paul Bloom]

I am not frightened of Covid. I am merely pointing out that masks are likely to be recommended for years to come.

In which case, count me out.

Have you tried a Perspex face shield not as good but better than nothing in offering some protection