anchor4208 wrote: » I played last year. Once the game starts, you really wouldn't notice the screen at all. I found it so unobtrusive that its hardly worthwhile having a debate about them, but maybe some of the other players found them distracting. You'd notice the mask alright. Its a bit uncomfortable wearing it for an extended period but its definitely bearable. If I was to pick one change, I'd get rid of the double boards, I found them to be the biggest distraction. .
anchor4208 wrote: » I played last year. Once the game starts, you really wouldn't notice the screen at all. I found it so unobtrusive that its hardly worthwhile having a debate about them, but maybe some of the other players found them distracting. You'd notice the mask alright. Its a bit uncomfortable wearing it for an extended period but its definitely bearable. If I was to pick one change, I'd get rid of the double boards, I found them to be the biggest distraction.I'm not sure the time will be right to go without masks by early August, and I even find it a bit scary that society might find that acceptable. We won't have achieved a sufficient level of vaccination by then to give herd immunity because of a combination of vaccine hesitancy, adults awaiting their second dose and under 18s waiting on their first dose. So a highly contagious illness and no herd immunity implies some degree of physical distancing will still be required. I'm a bit more hopeful that we could have a more normal looking chess scene by say October, where the wearing of a mask could be entirely optional. Bring it on, I can't wait to get back.
Joedryan wrote: » Why would you think that? Most countries are getting on with it and trying to get back to normal even now, by August there is a fair chance we are down to a close to zero Covid scenario, it would seem bizarre to enforce masks on people in those circumstances.
DmanDmythDledge wrote: » I think once there is suitable distancing (which of course there will be) it should be possible that masks are not necessary at boards, similar to restaurants, but there should be still a requirement to wear them while moving around unless government guidance changes by then. The latest provisional plans are 100 at wedding receptions from August, so may even be possible the entry limit of 48 could be increased?
macelligott wrote: » I’m disappointed that there is no 50+/65+ in August :-(
RooksPawn wrote: » It's certainly good to see a provisional timetable. Is there some reason why no event is scheduled for the 13-15 August weekend? Maybe a one-day rapid could be accommodated?
dave grant wrote: » The Ballyroan Community Chess Club playing as The Knights of Éanna are proud to be the host venue for this year's 100th Nationals' we are determined to make our venue as comfortable as possible for all the players in each event. We very much appreciate the support and confidence in our club from the ICU. We are cognoscente the club is based in a school, which in turn limits the availability of services to players. We will have outside seating/picnic area, smoking area, coffee dock with light refreshments and both indoor/outdoor analyzing boards. If players have any request for improvements on the venue feel free to express them here, we won't take it personally.
sodacat11 wrote: » I think that any players on the waiting list for the Irish Championship who are rated over 1900 should immediately replace any of the earlier entrants whose rating is below 1900. It is not right that eligible players are denied a place when people who aren't qualified to play get in. What is it about Ireland that people can't abide by rules and that it is always a case of "Oh sure whatever you're having yourself" ?
Retd.LoyolaCpt wrote: » Everyone entered currently is either 1900 ICU or 1900 FIDE or was rated 1900 on one of the two lists since January 2020. Those on the waiting list will take precedence over those applying for wildcards in the event of more spaces becoming available.
sodacat11 wrote: » Well at least one that I checked isn't 1900 on either list now.
sodacat11 wrote: » We all know that FIDE ratings can often be very inflated, it is an Irish Championship so Irish ratings should take precedence unless a player is living abroad.
sodacat11 wrote: » Another solution would be to take the average when you add a player's ICU and Fide rating together. It seems crazy that someone like David Murray who has an I.M norm and who is capable of beating anyone on his day can't get in yet some much weaker players can. Sean Murphy is also over 2000 compared to some entrants whose ICU ratings wouldn't even make them favourites to win the Irish Intermediate.
RooksPawn wrote: » Didn't everyone have the same chance to enter before the list filled up? I agree, though, that it looks as if some people in the Wildcard and Waiting lists simply entered the wrong event and intended to put their names down for a weekender and/or the midweek event. Players rated 1352 or below, or unrated, could probably be beaten by the top seeds playing blindfold. But there is also the issue that some young or previously unknown players may have been playing online 24/7 for the past 18 months and might turn out, when they start playing real tournament chess, either to be quite strong or else will find that their Lichess/chess.com ratings are grossly inflated.
macelligott wrote: » Are we still on course for 50 people allowed indoors and therefore able to hold the Irish Championship as planned? It isn't easy to get up to date information and government regulations seem in flux :-(
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/7894b-post-cabinet-statement-resilience-and-recovery-the-path-ahead/ wrote: Indoor activities, such as organised events, return of service in bars and restaurants, group training, exercise and dance will not yet proceed, pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity. Government will devise an implementation plan by 19 July, following further consideration and consultation with relevant sectors.
anchor4208 wrote: » Yeah, but the clear message seems to be that access to indoor activities will depend on vaccination, and maybe, just maybe, it might also include testing. We could perhaps run a chess tournament in that way (i.e. for vaccinated people only) but we couldn't run an Irish Ch. and exclude people who are of an age where they won't have the possibility of getting a vaccination. For example, the current champion couldn't play. Testing isn't really practical - those players might have to get tested 2-3 times over the course of 9 days. Up until now, I've been very optimistic. Feeling a bit more pessimistic now.
Joedryan wrote: » by pessimistic what are you suggesting? That the tournament wont happen? Surely beginning of August is the best date to get it going?
