Coronavirus

The European Chess Union held a Zoom meeting last week (on the 21st) to discuss measures for reopening over the board chess and have published a set of protocols that include social distancing of 1.5 metres between players, and masks but not gloves. No spectators, only players (who leave the hall as soon as their games are over) and arbiters.

One representative was allowed from each federation but did the ICU have a participant?

https://www.europechess.org/how-to-restart-otb-chess-activities/

sodacat11 wrote: »

No Covid deaths in Ireland yesterday!! Things do seem to be improving. We haven't heard anything from the ICU on how it is thinking regarding a resumption. Obviously the steps laid out by the government will have to be adhered to but what is the feeling within the organisation? Is the Irish Championship still a feasible prospect?

It was Monday no deaths were announced, not yesterday. There have been quite a few announced since, unfortunately, but some were historic.
Maybe the appetite to play again would come back if we had a week without deaths.
I think ICU said they would make a decision in June about the Irish Championships. After the expected announcements from NPHET and the caretaker government expected on 5 June would seem a good time?
It's very hard to see how things will look in August. At least we know now that Colaiste Eanna won't be running Leaving Cert exams then (which would have made holding the tournaments there impossible).

Hi All,

Not sure anyone has linked these in the thread yet but the ECU have put out two guidelines. One via the Slovenian Chess Federation and then one from ECU themselves which seem to be a slightly watered down version of the former. (makes sense that they'd be less strict as they were issued a week or two later when Europe had another dip in cases and deaths).

We had prepared some ideas for guidelines but they were put together in early May and would appear very cautious by comparison. I'll be reaching out to prospective Irish Championship players for opinions this and next week (life is a bit hectic for me at the moment - as I meant to do this sooner but I would guess that opinions may have swung a bit in that time). Will do my best to have announcements/information etc within a week.

Hopefully within that week, we will have some guidance from the government on if/when social distancing will go from 2m to 1.5m or 1m. As is, 2m means we probably can have a max of 28 players in a 150 meter squared room.

https://www.europechess.org/how-to-restart-otb-chess-activities/

"Recommendations and guidelines for conducting chess tournaments
during the Covid-19 epidemic (by Slovenian Chess Federation)

In addition to the general recommendations for the prevention of infection with the new
coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 for the implementation of organized chess training and tournaments,
the following instructions must be observed:
• All props (pieces, clocks, chess boards, tables and chairs) must be properly disinfected
beforehand.
• The playing hall must be entered individually and at a distance of at least 2 m.
• Upon entering the playing hall, participants must wash or disinfect their hands.
• All participants (chess players, coaches and referees) must wear a face mask prior to
entering the playing hall and keep wearing it until the start of the training/tournament.
The players can take off their masks during the training/tournament. Immediately
after the training/tournament they must put them on and wear them until leaving the
playing hall. Coaches and referees must wear a mask at all times.
• Except for the players, only those persons who have to be present for the
training/tournament should be present during the training/tournament.
• During the training/tournament, the participants must keep a distance of at least 1.5
meters between each other.
• The preparation and removal of chessboards, pieces and clocks can only be done by
the present referees/trainers, who must wash or disinfect their hands several times
during the training/tournament.
• During the training/tournament breaks, each participant must first wash or disinfect
his hands, use his own towel, bottle or other accessories and keep a distance of 2
meters to the other participants.
• After the training/tournament, each participant must take away all personal
belongings and packaging waste from the facility.
• Afterthe training/tournament all props(pieces, clocks, chess boards, tables and chairs)
and other equipment must be properly disinfected. After the training/tournament it is
necessary to clean/disinfect the floor of the building as well as objects and surfaces
that are frequently touched. When using the disinfectant, we must strictly follow the
manufacturer's instructions, especially those, concerning the contact time (the time
the disinfectant takes to destroy microbes on objects).
• All participants must wash or disinfect their hands again immediately after the end of
the training/tournament and prior to leaving the training area,
• All participants should leave the playing hall as soon as possible and should not stay in
the facility.
• The playing hall must have the option of regular ventilation (windows).
• The distance between the individual tables must be at least 1.5 m.

We also advise the following:
• The playing area must be ventilated regularly and efficiently.
• The playing area must be ventilated before and after each training/tournament.
• During the training/tournament the premises should be ventilated as much as
possible.
• The playing area must be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
• Disinfectant dispensers must be provided at the entrance of the facility, at several
visible points in the facility and at the exit of the facility.
• In the toilet facilities, adequate cleaning and disinfection of the premises and constant
ventilation must be ensured. Participants should move in such a way that a distance of
2 m is observed at all times. The number of persons who can be in the toilets at the
same time should be adapted to the size of the toilet facility.
• Cloakrooms and common areas should be locked and not used by participants unless"

I'm a lot more hopeful than I once was now, maybe with proper measures in place it will be possible to play something in the Summer, although its all still in a state of flux as we need to see what impact lockdown relaxation will have.

Its in our own guidelines anyway. But you're right, strange omission.

macelligott wrote: »

I think the main concern should be good ventilation! If that means the room is a bit chilly, people can wear warm jumpers. Distancing is of little use where people are in the same room for four hours if the ventilation isn’t excellent. And that means fresh air, not internal ventilation systems.
If the ventilation is good, I’d be reasonably happy to play :-)

What about playing outdoors?

Irish unpredictable weather might be an issue mind.

dave grant wrote: »

Hi all, Dave here from the host venue for the Irish Championship and the City of Dublin, do you think both these events should go ahead? and what other things need to be in place to make you feel more comfortable in playing face to face? let us know how you and your friends feel.

I would think the main categories would be:

• Hand washing facilities
• Well spaced playing venue - the boards not being too close to one another
• Well ventilated playing hall

Can anyone suggest anything else?

Personally, I'm not ready to return to the board, but things have evolved relatively quickly over the past month or so, and I could imagine feeling differently in August or September.

sodacat11 wrote: »

Contestants would have to wear masks.

Yes, the Slovenian protocols quoted above don't say wear a mask throughout play but the ECU ones, below, agreed on 21 May do say that. Also note: gloves should NOT be worn.

I have serious doubts whether the (Gents) toilet facilities at the proposed school venue will be adequate for a large Congress like the City of Dublin under the present circumstances. It should be OK if only the championship main tournament is held there.

It is hard to see the Ballyroan school library being large enough for more than about four or five games. There can only be one game instead of two at a table and the tables need to be further apart than they were at the City of Dublin last year. Players cannot be seated back to back at less than 1.5m either.

This means the Irish championship needs to be in the big hall, which is on two levels, and there will only be space for a few small round-robin tournaments elsewhere in the school. Unless, of course, there is a very small entry.

I find it hard to believe that adequate social distancing would be possible during a blitz tournament and therefore that should be cancelled.

https://www.europechess.org/how-to-restart-otb-chess-activities/

Summarising the common points of the meeting:

Chess activities may restart in National Level under specific measures & protocols applying internationally but mainly locally.
It is recommended to start with small scale events with limited participants (f.e. round robin tournaments).
It is recommended participants to sign a declaration about possible symptoms.
Space per player in playing halls shall be increased to cover at least the requirement of 1.5 m distance between the players.
The indoor playing hall must be ventilated regularly and efficiently before, during and after the rounds. It is not recommended any tournaments in rooms with no proper ventilation.
Outdoor chess activities are recommended. Upon entering or exiting the playing hall, during the breaks participants must wash or disinfect their hands.
The Room pieces, clocks, chess boards, tables and chairs must be properly disinfected beforehand and after each round.
Face surgical mask is strongly recommended for all players and arbiters but no gloves.
In the toilet facilities, adequate cleaning and disinfection of the premises and constant ventilation must be ensured. Participants should move in such a way that a distance of 1,5 m is observed at all times.
In the tournament hall shall be present only players and tournament staff. Players shall leave the playing hall by the end of their game.
Covid19 tests is not a practical and reliable solution for chess events participants especially in national level and in mass competitions.
It is foreseen that would be difficult to hold mass and especially international youth events in 2020, however there is possibility to hold professional events’ as the European Individual Championships (Open & Women) the last 3 months of 2020.

Players will also need to stay in their seats and not wander around looking at the other games over people's shoulders.

I do agree, though, that some effort should be made to get chess going again in August if the R number and new cases/deaths stay very low or perhaps even decline to zero.

Probably it will be mostly younger players interested at first. The ICU should maybe think in terms of holding the 2020 Seniors at Easter rather than the usual New Year date.

I don’t see any thread for discussion of the 2020 Irish Championship.

DmanDmythDledge wrote: »

Would be great if there’s an Irish championship. Not able to play many weekenders and it’s one of the few I’m able to play.

I would rate the chances of the weekenders being played at 50-50, and perhaps as ratings-related round-robin groups with minimal prize funds rather than a Swiss.

The prospects for the City of Dublins a month later look somewhat better if there is no second wave of Covid-19.

sodacat11 wrote: »

Things are pretty much getting back to normal in many areas. All the businesses where I live have reopened and traffic is back at close to normal levels. I can see no reason why the irish Championship shouldn't go ahead, it is a tournament with a great tradition that should be upheld.

Well, what do you think about the ICU questionnaire that just circulated?

I think the suggestion of using two boards per game is unworkable and apart from anything else it complicates the live board arrangements - one player is on the live board and the opponent isn't, but the clock times cannot be done live like this.
Maybe experienced players can handle it but I see it leading to all kinds of arbiter nightmares with games between lower-rated players.
The alternative of a perspex screen between the 4th and 5th ranks is equally unworkable (apart from the expense).

I see the only option is to wait until Ireland has suppressed the virus to near-zero and then play normally (but possibly with masks/definitely sanitisers/ no handshakes and no spectators).

Looking on the bright side, there is a good chance we will have reached that stage by the end of July so long as we don't import new cases from GB or elsewhere.
I see the main championship as being played with live boards so we can all watch from home, and I hope it goes ahead. The weekenders are much more problematic.

Players over 70 and/or living with "underlying medical conditions" (either their own or immediate family members) probably won't play chess over the board until there is a vaccine or zero Irish Covid-19 cases for several weeks, I think.

sodacat11 wrote: »

I agree with what you say. The two board idea is unworkable. The screen option is feasible but if players wear masks and everything is sanitized I don't see why we even need screens.

It’s being trialed anyway - be interested to hear how it went:
https://mobile.twitter.com/PengZhaoqin/status/1273344449855266817/photo/1