(Chess) Life Returning To Normal

[Alex Bullen]

Well done to Alex for nearly knocking over that strong Russian FM yesterday.

Great game!

Bullen, Alex (WLS) - Pozdnjakov, Viatcheslav (RUS) 0-1

Summer Prague Open 2020 round 04

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Nbd2 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Bd3 O-O 6. O-O c5 7. c3 cxd4 8. cxd4 Nc6 9. Re1 Bg4 10. h3 Bd7 11. Nb3 a5 12. Be3 a4 13. Nbd2 Nb4 14. Bb1 Bb5 15. Nf1 Re8 16. a3 Nc6 17. N1d2 e5 18. Ba2 h6 19. Rc1 Bd3 20. d5 Ne7 21. Bb1 Bb5 22. Nc4 Nc8 23. Qd2 Kh7 24. Qb4 Qd7 25. Rc3 Nh5 26. Bd3 Ba6 27. Rec1 Bf6 28. Nb6 Nxb6 29. Rc7 Bxd3 30. Rxd7 Nxd7 31. Qxb7 Red8 32. Rc7 Rab8 33. Qc6 Bb5 34. Qxd6 Bg7 35. Qe7 Kg8 36. Qb4 Bf8 37. Qa5 Bd6 38. Rc1 Be2 39. Qxa4 Bxf3 40. gxf3 Rxb2 41. Bxh6 Nf4 42. Bxf4 exf4 43. Rc2 Nb6 44. Qc6 Rb1+ 45. Rc1 Rxc1+ 46. Qxc1 Rc8 47. Qb2 Nc4 48. Qb7 Rb8 49. Qa6 Rb1+ 50. Kg2 Rc1 51. h4 Kg7 52. a4 Rc2 53. h5 gxh5 54. a5 Bc5 55. Kh1 Bxf2 56. e5 Nxe5 57. Qd6 Bd4

Thank you - shame it was a nearly but still a good scrap. I'm very happy today's game wasn't live though

[Chris Rice]

Well done to Alex for nearly knocking over that strong Russian FM yesterday. Listening to The Chess Pit podcast with the CEO of the Hastings tournament it sounds like they are leaning towards having an online event to mark the 100th anniversary over Christmas/New Year, with perhaps an over-the-board tournament cautiously penciled in for Spring 2021.

Pity if that's the case as that's a tournament I often go to after Christmas. Hope if they do move it to Spring it's around Easter which would be doable. Here is a picture of the current Latvian U-10 championship:



This reminds me a lot of the Horntye at Hastings where there is often a lot of space between the tables (I guess mostly due to the depressing lack of entries each year) but helpful if you're trying to get the social distancing right.

[Chris Rice]

Think this is in France somewhere. That glass looks bullet proof.

[Wadih Khoury]

My point was not on the legality of chess tournaments or mass gatherings in the Czech Republic but whether the fact that they are allowed in the first place without many of the social distancing and PPE measures that are now common in other countries is leading to rising figures. You haven't answered that but I'm guessing from your laissez faire attitude that this isn't a particular priority for you as long as the Czech government say its ok. Hope you are right but the figures at the moment are pointing the other way. Guess we'll just have to see what happens.

Talking to people, it would appear the laissez faire is an organiser choice rather than a state one, and that they may not be compliant to their legal obligations.

I was told (and cannot validate the information) that all spectators were supposed to be masked, and because the venue is > 100 people, there should be either an increased spacing or all participants should be wearing masks.

[Tim Spanton]

My point was not on the legality of chess tournaments or mass gatherings in the Czech Republic but whether the fact that they are allowed in the first place without many of the social distancing and PPE measures that are now common in other countries is leading to rising figures. You haven't answered that but I'm guessing from your laissez faire attitude that this isn't a particular priority for you as long as the Czech government say its ok. Hope you are right but the figures at the moment are pointing the other way. Guess we'll just have to see what happens.

Talking to people, it would appear the laissez faire is an organiser choice rather than a state one, and that they may not be compliant to their legal obligations.

I was told (and cannot validate the information) that all spectators were supposed to be masked, and because the venue is > 100 people, there should be either an increased spacing or all participants should be wearing masks.

Would you not agree the A and B sections are effectively in separate rooms, each with less than 100 people?

[Wadih Khoury]

I thought the lower boards of B spilled into the A section for a round or two. But to your question, I am not a lawyer, not do I know the exact terms in the Czech law. I would assume a single volume counts as one room.

I am not advocating here for masks for everyone, rather pointing out that it might not be the Czech law that is lax, but maybe the organisers.

Based on the Biel experience, If I were to change a single thing without impacting the players, it would be to forbid spectators and ask players to stay at their boards for the game.
I believe this would go a long way to keeping a reasonable distanciation and reduce risks.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"and ask players to stay at their boards for the game."

Not really on for a normal game, apart from toilet and refreshment considerations, if someone suffers from a back problem (e.g.), they might need to stand up and move about. And if you stand and stretch within the eyeline of the opponent, it could be distracting.

[LawrenceCooper]

Think this is in France somewhere. That glass looks bullet proof.

Essential if you are playing one minute chess

[J T Melsom]

Is the chair 'design' reasonably common? I have something similar in my bedroom. Also the shop is advertising railway books.

[JustinHorton]

Think this is in France somewhere. That glass looks bullet proof.

You could lean round though

[Mike Gunn]

The way the French have set up there is no room for a clock although I suppose a slightly longer table or moving things towards one end of the table could just about create room for the clock.

[Tim Spanton]

Would players have to provide their own sunscreen and/or rain-gear?

[Matt Mackenzie]

"and ask players to stay at their boards for the game."

Not really on for a normal game, apart from toilet and refreshment considerations, if someone suffers from a back problem (e.g.), they might need to stand up and move about. And if you stand and stretch within the eyeline of the opponent, it could be distracting.

Lots of OTB players like to walk around anyway (I am certainly one of them)

[Simon Rogers]

I've just been on the Northumberland Chess Association website.
Statement by Mick Riding 01st August:
Northumberland Chess Congress 25th to 27th September is going ahead. North Tyneside council has allowed the hall to be used for a limited entry of 120 players with hygiene protocols.
Also Gosforth Chess Club reopened on Monday 13th July. 8 players turned up wearing masks with hygiene protocols in place.
There is a link with pictures on the Northumberland Chess Association website.

[Matt Bridgeman]

Thanks for the hot tip Simon! I've submitted an entry. Keep those tips coming! Lol