British Championship Congress 2021

Debate directly related to English Chess Federation matters.
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Roger de Coverly
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Re: British Championship Congress 2021

Post by Roger de Coverly » Tue Mar 09, 2021 1:57 pm

It seems as if the ECF Board more or less decided to give up the idea of a Torquay British before anyone knew the Government's supposed timetable for lifting restrictions.

John Swain wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 12:32 am
The Board's minutes for the meeting held on 22 January 2021 have been published:

https://www.englishchess.org.uk/wp-cont ... .3.2-1.pdf
from which
The Board agreed nem con that the British Chess Championships would not go ahead in 2021 in an over-the-board format unless NT recommended to the contrary and brought that recommendation back to the Board.In that event the Board was in unanimous agreement that an online equivalent should if at all possible be held as official British Championships.

David Sedgwick
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Re: British Championship Congress 2021

Post by David Sedgwick » Tue Mar 09, 2021 2:34 pm

Roger de Coverly wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 1:57 pm
It seems as if the ECF Board more or less decided to give up the idea of a Torquay British before anyone knew the Government's supposed timetable for lifting restrictions.
Indeed so. I quoted upthread (on Page 4) the relevant extract from the ECF February Newsletter. That was circulated on Thursday 11th February.

The Government Road Map was issued on Monday 22nd February.

John McKenna

Re: British Championship Congress 2021

Post by John McKenna » Tue Mar 09, 2021 3:45 pm

Roger Lancaster wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 12:01 pm
Simon Rogers wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 9:54 am
The 2005 British Chess Championships was held on the Isle of Man.
Since 1904, the British Chess Championships have not been held in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Wight.
In response to posters who felt that the British Chess Championships took place too infrequently in their countries or regions, I wished merely to point out that - in one of the four countries of the United Kingdom, ie. Northern Ireland - they had never taken place.
Regarding N. Ireland - what may have been missed is that the Irish Chess Championships were held in Belfast in the years 1970, 1966, 1958, 1954, 1950... (1948-27 locations unknown to me) 1926 & 1886.

Edit- other locations in N. Irelamd that hosted the Irish Chess Ch. - 1984 Newcastle, 1962 Derry & 1922 Portadown.

NB: I also do not know where they were held after 1985.

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Carl Hibbard
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Re: British Championship Congress 2021

Post by Carl Hibbard » Tue Mar 09, 2021 4:39 pm

David Sedgwick wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 12:39 pm
Carl Hibbard wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:33 am
Why are there two threads with the same name I am confused?
Roger de Coverly wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 12:23 pm
They were started at different times, the first pre-lockdown. They may as well be merged if that's straightforward.
Carl. perhaps you could contact a moderator and ask him to merge them :lol:.

Continued thanks for everything you do.
Jack sorted it so thanks Jack.

I am not around that much at the moment whilst literally inundated with work.
Cheers
Carl Hibbard

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JustinHorton
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Re: British Championship Congress 2021

Post by JustinHorton » Tue Mar 09, 2021 4:57 pm

Anyway I am deferred until 2022 so I hope to see many of you then and there.
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Paul Bloom
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Re: British Championship Congress 2021

Post by Paul Bloom » Tue Mar 09, 2021 6:32 pm

JustinHorton wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 4:57 pm
Anyway I am deferred until 2022 so I hope to see many of you then and there.
Don't worry I am sure the ECF will find some why in 2022 of saying its unsafe I think we are in danger of losing a whole generation of young players this decision is farcical . Most of us cant wait o get back to playing OTB and socialising with long lost friends . Nearly everyone will have had two Jabs by end of July . so schools can go back beginning of march but we cant play chess at the end of July . We could shown we have had vaccines take a test 3 days prior wash hands sanitize pieces and sets in between rounds reduce numbers in each section even use the Blind system of 2 boards 2 sets allowing players to sit 2 metres apart but no none of this good enough to consider letting the players play , .

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Matt Mackenzie
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Re: British Championship Congress 2021

Post by Matt Mackenzie » Tue Mar 09, 2021 7:04 pm

Paul Bloom wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 6:32 pm
JustinHorton wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 4:57 pm
Anyway I am deferred until 2022 so I hope to see many of you then and there.
Don't worry I am sure the ECF will find some why in 2022 of saying its unsafe I think we are in danger of losing a whole generation of young players this decision is farcical . Most of us cant wait o get back to playing OTB and socialising with long lost friends . Nearly everyone will have had two Jabs by end of July . so schools can go back beginning of march but we cant play chess at the end of July . We could shown we have had vaccines take a test 3 days prior wash hands sanitize pieces and sets in between rounds reduce numbers in each section even use the Blind system of 2 boards 2 sets allowing players to sit 2 metres apart but no none of this good enough to consider letting the players play , .
As things *currently* stand, there is nothing to stop chess clubs starting OTB play again in the summer - and hopefully many will do so.
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)

Andrew Zigmond
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Re: British Championship Congress 2021

Post by Andrew Zigmond » Tue Mar 09, 2021 11:20 pm

Paul Bloom wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 6:32 pm

Don't worry I am sure the ECF will find some why in 2022 of saying its unsafe I think we are in danger of losing a whole generation of young players this decision is farcical . Most of us cant wait o get back to playing OTB and socialising with long lost friends . Nearly everyone will have had two Jabs by end of July . so schools can go back beginning of march but we cant play chess at the end of July . We could shown we have had vaccines take a test 3 days prior wash hands sanitize pieces and sets in between rounds reduce numbers in each section even use the Blind system of 2 boards 2 sets allowing players to sit 2 metres apart but no none of this good enough to consider letting the players play , .
With respect this is unfair. The championship can't legally be held before the 21st of June anyway and all it would take is for a spike in cases forcing the government to delay that by five weeks and it would have to be cancelled. There is also the question mark as to what the take up would be; while some players are keen to return others may be a bit jittery about their safety. Another factor is that some schools may choose to continue over the summer holidays, even if it isn't made obligatory, and this will affect junior participation.

The ECF have only cancelled their flagship event. They are not preventing people from playing chess and indeed you would be free to set up your own event.

I'd also push back on the suggestion of losing a generation of young players. Having played in a few 4NCL online congresses it's noticeable that there is relatively little overlap with congress regulars and the average age seems to be a lot lower. These are likely players who don't have the time and/ or the money to go to weekenders and I think there will be a case for keeping online events going in tandem with returning otb events.
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Matt Mackenzie
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Re: British Championship Congress 2021

Post by Matt Mackenzie » Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:05 am

Well, we might always hope for some of those younger online players to take up OTB chess when it returns. A potential big opportunity here.
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)

Roger Lancaster
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Re: British Championship Congress 2021

Post by Roger Lancaster » Wed Mar 10, 2021 4:53 am

Andrew Zigmond wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 11:20 pm
Paul Bloom wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 6:32 pm

Don't worry I am sure the ECF will find some why in 2022 of saying its unsafe I think we are in danger of losing a whole generation of young players this decision is farcical . Most of us cant wait o get back to playing OTB and socialising with long lost friends . Nearly everyone will have had two Jabs by end of July . so schools can go back beginning of march but we cant play chess at the end of July . We could shown we have had vaccines take a test 3 days prior wash hands sanitize pieces and sets in between rounds reduce numbers in each section even use the Blind system of 2 boards 2 sets allowing players to sit 2 metres apart but no none of this good enough to consider letting the players play , .
With respect this is unfair. The championship can't legally be held before the 21st of June anyway and all it would take is for a spike in cases forcing the government to delay that by five weeks and it would have to be cancelled. There is also the question mark as to what the take up would be; while some players are keen to return others may be a bit jittery about their safety. Another factor is that some schools may choose to continue over the summer holidays, even if it isn't made obligatory, and this will affect junior participation.

The ECF have only cancelled their flagship event. They are not preventing people from playing chess and indeed you would be free to set up your own event.

I'd also push back on the suggestion of losing a generation of young players. Having played in a few 4NCL online congresses it's noticeable that there is relatively little overlap with congress regulars and the average age seems to be a lot lower. These are likely players who don't have the time and/ or the money to go to weekenders and I think there will be a case for keeping online events going in tandem with returning otb events.
I agree with Andrew. While it's obviously disappointing that the July/August BCC has been cancelled, I don't know [although, having had some experience of setting up events, I can make a very rough guess] how many contractual and other uncertainties would have arisen if the ECF had decided to go ahead. In hindsight, it may prove that the ECF was over-cautious but reasonably well-founded aversion to risk isn't "farcical".

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Paul Robert Jackson
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Re: British Championship Congress 2021

Post by Paul Robert Jackson » Wed Mar 10, 2021 9:32 am

Andrew Zigmond wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 11:20 pm
I'd also push back on the suggestion of losing a generation of young players. Having played in a few 4NCL online congresses it's noticeable that there is relatively little overlap with congress regulars and the average age seems to be a lot lower. These are likely players who don't have the time and/ or the money to go to weekenders and I think there will be a case for keeping online events going in tandem with returning OTB events.
I am not opposed to Online Chess but the increase in online events will be similar to
.....Online Banking & the closure of local branches,
.....Online Shopping & the demise of the high street & local town centres.
.....Contactless payments & the refusal of cash.
etc. etc.
Paul Robert Jackson

David Sedgwick
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Re: British Championship Congress 2021

Post by David Sedgwick » Wed Mar 10, 2021 11:31 am

Andrew Zigmond wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 11:20 pm
Paul Bloom wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 6:32 pm

Don't worry I am sure the ECF will find some why in 2022 of saying its unsafe I think we are in danger of losing a whole generation of young players this decision is farcical . Most of us cant wait o get back to playing OTB and socialising with long lost friends . Nearly everyone will have had two Jabs by end of July . so schools can go back beginning of march but we cant play chess at the end of July . We could shown we have had vaccines take a test 3 days prior wash hands sanitize pieces and sets in between rounds reduce numbers in each section even use the Blind system of 2 boards 2 sets allowing players to sit 2 metres apart but no none of this good enough to consider letting the players play , .
With respect this is unfair. The championship can't legally be held before the 21st of June anyway and all it would take is for a spike in cases forcing the government to delay that by five weeks and it would have to be cancelled. There is also the question mark as to what the take up would be; while some players are keen to return others may be a bit jittery about their safety. Another factor is that some schools may choose to continue over the summer holidays, even if it isn't made obligatory, and this will affect junior participation.

The ECF have only cancelled their flagship event. They are not preventing people from playing chess and indeed you would be free to set up your own event.

I'd also push back on the suggestion of losing a generation of young players. Having played in a few 4NCL online congresses it's noticeable that there is relatively little overlap with congress regulars and the average age seems to be a lot lower. These are likely players who don't have the time and/ or the money to go to weekenders and I think there will be a case for keeping online events going in tandem with returning otb events.
Roger Lancaster wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 4:53 am
I agree with Andrew. While it's obviously disappointing that the July/August BCC has been cancelled, I don't know [although, having had some experience of setting up events, I can make a very rough guess] how many contractual and other uncertainties would have arisen if the ECF had decided to go ahead. In hindsight, it may prove that the ECF was over-cautious but reasonably well-founded aversion to risk isn't "farcical".
I too agree with Andrew and with Roger.

We should be showing our appreciation for those who will be giving up many hours of there time, for little or no reward, to put on the British Online Championships in August and the OTB British Championship events in October.

I made a small contribution to the last British Online Championships and I can say from that experience that it is hard work.

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JustinHorton
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Re: British Championship Congress 2021

Post by JustinHorton » Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:15 pm

Paul Robert Jackson wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 9:32 am
Andrew Zigmond wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 11:20 pm
I'd also push back on the suggestion of losing a generation of young players. Having played in a few 4NCL online congresses it's noticeable that there is relatively little overlap with congress regulars and the average age seems to be a lot lower. These are likely players who don't have the time and/ or the money to go to weekenders and I think there will be a case for keeping online events going in tandem with returning OTB events.
I am not opposed to Online Chess but the increase in online events will be similar to
.....Online Banking & the closure of local branches,
.....Online Shopping & the demise of the high street & local town centres.
.....Contactless payments & the refusal of cash.
etc. etc.
Well maybe, but it's perhaps more likely that those aren't good comparisons. If you make an online bank transfer you don't think oh I enjoyed that, I'd like to do some bank transfers in person at the weekend.
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com

Roger de Coverly
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Re: British Championship Congress 2021

Post by Roger de Coverly » Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:52 pm

David Sedgwick wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 11:31 am
We should be showing our appreciation for those who will be giving up many hours of there time, for little or no reward, to put on the British Online Championships in August and the OTB British Championship events in October.
Provided freedom of association is allowed again in August it ought to be possible to run at least part of the British Online Championships as hybrid events. For that you need an arbiter, a room and a reliable internet connection. You go USCF and expect players to supply their own laptop, tablet or phone with which to communicate with the opponent. A point is that it should not require a long lead time to set up.

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Paul Robert Jackson
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Re: British Championship Congress 2021

Post by Paul Robert Jackson » Wed Mar 10, 2021 1:00 pm

JustinHorton wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:15 pm
Paul Robert Jackson wrote:
Wed Mar 10, 2021 9:32 am
Andrew Zigmond wrote:
Tue Mar 09, 2021 11:20 pm
I'd also push back on the suggestion of losing a generation of young players. Having played in a few 4NCL online congresses it's noticeable that there is relatively little overlap with congress regulars and the average age seems to be a lot lower. These are likely players who don't have the time and/ or the money to go to weekenders and I think there will be a case for keeping online events going in tandem with returning OTB events.
I am not opposed to Online Chess but the increase in online events will be similar to
.....Online Banking & the closure of local branches,
.....Online Shopping & the demise of the high street & local town centres.
.....Contactless payments & the refusal of cash.
etc. etc.
Well maybe, but it's perhaps more likely that those aren't good comparisons. If you make an online bank transfer you don't think oh I enjoyed that, I'd like to do some bank transfers in person at the weekend.
The risk is once an OTB Chess League or Congress is happy to continue Online
....the OTB version may Never Return.
Paul Robert Jackson

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