(Chess) Life Returning To Normal

[NickFaulks]

London, 17 September 2020 – The PPE industry has grown so rapidly it’s now bigger than sandwiches with annual UK revenues exceeding £8.7bn1, analysis by PPE manufacturer ViraxCare reveals.

How long before we all have to keep wearing masks to save the PPE industry?

[Roger de Coverly]

Pubs and restaurants must offer table service only and all "leisure and entertainment venues" must be closed between 22:00 and 05:00.

The Northumberland Congress is in a "Leisure venue" and has a Friday evening round.

The question of whether playing chess is "socialising" is left unresolved.

[Roger de Coverly]

London, 17 September 2020 – The PPE industry has grown so rapidly it’s now bigger than sandwiches with annual UK revenues exceeding £8.7bn1, analysis by PPE manufacturer ViraxCare reveals.

How long before we all have to keep wearing masks to save the PPE industry?

It could mean there's a commercial lobby in favour of continuing restrictions.

[Tim Spanton]

If this website (https://www.ovulation-calculators.com/c ... /pardubice) is to be believed, Pardubice seems to be the safest place in the world to be right now:

Coronavirus Pardubice, Czech Republic
There are no coronavirus cases reported in our system for Pardubice , Česká republika, as of Thursday, 17th of September 2020. Please report a case here
There are no deaths confirmed in Pardubice, due to the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There are no suspected cases of coronavirus in Pardubice.

[Ian Thompson]

If this website (https://www.ovulation-calculators.com/c ... /pardubice) is to be believed, Pardubice seems to be the safest place in the world to be right now:

... and in a couple of weeks time, after several hundred games' players have descended on it?

[Matt Bridgeman]

From the BBC:

From midnight, people in seven council areas "should not socialise" with people outside of their household or support bubble, he told the House of Commons.
Pubs and restaurants must offer table service only and all "leisure and entertainment venues" must be closed between 22:00 and 05:00.

It still seems to leave a lot for interpretation. You can go to the pub or a restaurant and not be socialising; ditto for leisure and entertainment venues. As usual, chess tournaments don't get a mention ...

The Northumberland Chess Congress has been officially cancelled till next year.

[Tim Spanton]

If this website (https://www.ovulation-calculators.com/c ... /pardubice) is to be believed, Pardubice seems to be the safest place in the world to be right now:

... and in a couple of weeks time, after several hundred games' players have descended on it?

Anyone's guess, altho Pardubice is used to being a sports host, according to Wikipedia: "The city is well known for its sport events, which include the Great Pardubice Steeplechase in horse racing, the Golden Helmet of Pardubice in motorcycle racing, and the Czech Open in golf and chess."

[Chris Goodall]

Anyone's guess, altho Pardubice is used to being a sports host, according to Wikipedia: "The city is well known for its sport events, which include the Great Pardubice Steeplechase in horse racing, the Golden Helmet of Pardubice in motorcycle racing, and the Czech Open in golf and chess."

Do the Czech Open players alternate hitting the ball and making a move, or there a 3-minute bell?

[Kevin Thurlow]

"The PPE industry has grown so rapidly it’s now bigger than sandwiches with annual UK revenues exceeding £8.7bn1,"

Interestingly, the four construction workers buying sandwiches in the village shop this morning were not wearing masks, despite the sign. But I guess the shop would close down without them! (There's about 4 housing estates being built.)

I like the idea of chess-golf, but if someone disappears into the woods to the left of the fairway, could he be consulting a computer?

[Simon Rogers]

For those of you who are not aware yet, due to the worsening situation in the North East of England, regrettably Alex McFarlane has just announced the cancellation of the Northumberland Chess Congress.
He has announced it on the Northumberland Chess Congress Topic in the Congress Diary Section.
Hats off to Mick Riding, Alex McFarlane and Lara Barnes for trying their best under very difficult circumstances.

[Nick Ivell]

I feel for the organisers but it's now clear to me that we shouldn't even be thinking about OTB for the rest of 2020, and probably a fair way beyond.

[ben.graff]

Hats off to Mick, Alex and Lara for trying to get this event away. I am very sorry the new North East restrictions mean things haven't worked out. I imagine most entrants knew the event going ahead could not be guaranteed. Yet even a few weeks ago it appeared that the country was increasingly opening up. Set against that backdrop, it was a great shout to see if OTB chess could be made viable for those who wanted to play. We now seem to be in a different place and I agree that the cancellation was ultimately inevitable, given the local lock-down.

I have profound respect for everyone who urges caution. However, I will always advocate for a return to OTB chess when conditions allow, for those who want it. Other sports have seen innovation allow play in some form. We should always be open to the art of the possible. Fully respecting that we all have to make our own choices. Where others land in a different place or advocate for different approaches that is equally to be respected.

Mick - please keep my entry fee as a donation to Northumberland Chess. You guys have earned it and I very much look forward to the day when you can hold an event. I promise to be an early entrant!

[Matt Bridgeman]

The papers reporting that most of Lancashire and Merseyside are getting local lockdown restrictions from Saturday. Another Hancock announcement coming today. I didn’t see that one coming. Argh!

[Matt Bridgeman]

If this website (https://www.ovulation-calculators.com/c ... /pardubice) is to be believed, Pardubice seems to be the safest place in the world to be right now:

Coronavirus Pardubice, Czech Republic
There are no coronavirus cases reported in our system for Pardubice , Česká republika, as of Thursday, 17th of September 2020. Please report a case here
There are no deaths confirmed in Pardubice, due to the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There are no suspected cases of coronavirus in Pardubice.

It’s taking off in Czech though, and daily cases will probably overtake the UK soon. More yesterday (3130) than the whole of March apparently.

[Tim Spanton]

If this website (https://www.ovulation-calculators.com/c ... /pardubice) is to be believed, Pardubice seems to be the safest place in the world to be right now:

Coronavirus Pardubice, Czech Republic
There are no coronavirus cases reported in our system for Pardubice , Česká republika, as of Thursday, 17th of September 2020. Please report a case here
There are no deaths confirmed in Pardubice, due to the COVID-19 coronavirus.
There are no suspected cases of coronavirus in Pardubice.

It’s taking off in Czech though, and daily cases will probably overtake the UK soon. More yesterday (3130) than the whole or March apparently.

Yes, but the number of cases detected depends on the number of people tested. The x in 100,000 figures give a better view.