Coronavirus leading to cancellation?

[MJMcCready]

I can assure you there are at least two international tournaments in the next six weeks that have had more than 100 entrants drop out. Can't name them though-sorry.

Why not?

A number of people who are members here are participating. If everyone cancelled there would be an almighty bill to be paid for the playing hall. We can't be sure of exactly why so many have pulled out or whether they will rejoin but the playing hall did not come cheap, of that we are certain.

[Nick Grey]

The surrey case was Haslemere. Last time I played their was football and only after 6 consecutive cancelled pitches.

Check with your LA and School. A big one on my way to work hit the National news this morning And ES this afternoon.

I doubt your insurance covers going against LA and School and I know that deaths outbreaks are not immune from being prosecuted.

[ben.graff]

Paul, thanks for sharing your helpful suggestions. I manage the Leamington League and we’ve changed our rules through to the end of the season, to make it easier for games to be postponed if people fall ill. We have also moved to a presumption that handshakes will not take place and have encouraged our clubs to consider providing hand sanitisers, albeit we felt we couldn’t mandate this.

Definitely all about being proportionate and sensible. Our clubs do not need any encouraging to look after their members, but obviously looking out for those in the chess community who might be more frail or isolated is I’m sure something we will all keep in mind.

[Paul McKeown]

nor is there any notable evidence yet for transmission within the United Kingdom

That was true when you wrote it, but it isn't now.

Yes. It looks like it is heading this way. We just don't know now whether it will fizzle, become a big killer - and even then we don't know how big - or even become endemic, like the seasonal flu. One thing that the experts do seem to agree upon, though, is that it isn't as dangerous as the 1918 pandemic flu was, nor does it attack the young and the healthy as the 1918 flu virus did.

[Chris Rice]

FIDE have updated their medical security policy and protocol for upcoming events in February, March and April. It looks like a well laid out battle plan and will be continuously reviewed. Its clear that FIDE intend to go ahead with their events such as the World Senior Teams in Prague in a couple of days time. It will be interesting to see whether this will give sufficient assurances to participants not to drop out. The Czech Republic got their first three cases of coronavirus on Sunday and have already implemented a two week ban on flights from South Korea and Milan, Venice and Bologna in Northern Italy.

[Chris Rice]

Looks like Bangkok Open may well be cancelled this year according to Nigel Short

[Ian Thompson]

Looks like Bangkok Open may well be cancelled this year according to Nigel Short

Confirmed as postponed, maybe until October, by the organisers - http://bangkokchess.com/.

[Paul McKeown]

Paul, thanks for sharing your helpful suggestions. I manage the Leamington League and we’ve changed our rules through to the end of the season, to make it easier for games to be postponed if people fall ill. We have also moved to a presumption that handshakes will not take place and have encouraged our clubs to consider providing hand sanitisers, albeit we felt we couldn’t mandate this.

Definitely all about being proportionate and sensible. Our clubs do not need any encouraging to look after their members, but obviously looking out for those in the chess community who might be more frail or isolated is I’m sure something we will all keep in mind.

Thank you for your constructive post. Yes, it's all about proportion and common sense.

[Paul McKeown]

FIDE have updated their medical security policy and protocol for upcoming events in February, March and April. It looks like a well laid out battle plan and will be continuously reviewed.

Thanks for this, Chris, very interesting to see what FIDE proposes.

It is a very comprehensive protocol and very commendable - but only possible for a very large organisation with deep pockets.

I will study it in depth, to see what Richmond Juniors and Richmond Rapidplays could sensibly do that we are not doing.

[MartinCarpenter]

One thing to definitely remember - junior events aside - there's a profoundly uncomfortable overlap between the section of the population for which this is a very dangerous virus indeed and the demographics of chess players. Especially for seniors events.

[Thomas Rendle]

It seems sensible for leagues/events to encourage players who are ill to self-isolate/not turn up by relaxing rules on defaults (ie not enforcing penalty points for leagues) and refunding players who pull out of tournaments due to sickness.

Obviously you could have players abusing this and claiming to be ill to avoid the penalty, but still seems easily worth it to me.

[R G Edwards]

Given the observable level of self-care amongst many players, I suggest that chess is a particularly risky activity at the moment.

Frequently I have observed players using the toilet and not washing their hands. And then going out and shaking hands. And touching the pieces and the clock. Horrible. What's wrong with these people? Brings a new meaning to 'poisoned pawn'.

[Daniel Gormally]

I think you only need to see the state of the toilets at some chess events to get a feel for the level of hygiene.

[Paul McKeown]

The toilets are one of many reasons that I don't play many big tournaments. The revulsion factor is too high.

[Chris Rice]

I think you only need to see the state of the toilets at some chess events to get a feel for the level of hygiene.

I often give advice to people going for job interviews that they should use the company toilets with the view that the level of hygiene is often a very good indicator of how they will treat their staff.