Northumberland Chess Congress

Details of upcoming UK events, please provide working links if possible.
Post Reply
Simon Rogers
Posts: 2337
Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2020 4:30 pm

Northumberland Chess Congress

Post by Simon Rogers » Wed Aug 12, 2020 4:07 pm

The first post lockdown OTB chess tournament that is going ahead is the Northumberland Chess Congress in North Shields from the 25th to 27th September.
Entry is limited to 120 with hygiene protocols in place.
There is a lengthy statement by the congress organiser Mick Riding on the Northumberland Chess Association website.

Roger de Coverly
Posts: 21291
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:51 pm

Re: Northumberland Chess Congress

Post by Roger de Coverly » Wed Aug 12, 2020 4:25 pm

Simon Rogers wrote:
Wed Aug 12, 2020 4:07 pm
There is a lengthy statement by the congress organiser Mick Riding on the Northumberland Chess Association website.
Other than being in North Shields, the announcement doesn't say where. Is it the venue used for the 2012 British?

Simon Rogers
Posts: 2337
Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2020 4:30 pm

Re: Northumberland Chess Congress

Post by Simon Rogers » Wed Aug 12, 2020 4:32 pm

Not sure if it's same as 2012. I played in 2011 at Sheffield and was fortunate to see a lot of events at the Olympics in London. There is the full address for the tournament on the ECF Calendar.
I don't know much about the tournament. I've never played there.

Roger de Coverly
Posts: 21291
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:51 pm

Re: Northumberland Chess Congress

Post by Roger de Coverly » Wed Aug 12, 2020 4:39 pm

Simon Rogers wrote:
Wed Aug 12, 2020 4:32 pm
There is the full address for the tournament on the ECF Calendar. .
This would appear to be the website.
https://northumberlandchesscongress.webs.com/

It's not the same venue as 2012, but not very far away.

(edit) It's actually the same place.
Last edited by Roger de Coverly on Wed Aug 12, 2020 6:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Brendan O'Gorman
Posts: 741
Joined: Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:10 pm

Re: Northumberland Chess Congress

Post by Brendan O'Gorman » Wed Aug 12, 2020 6:10 pm

It IS the same venue as the 2012 British.

Alex McFarlane
Posts: 1757
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:52 pm

Re: Northumberland Chess Congress

Post by Alex McFarlane » Wed Aug 12, 2020 6:31 pm

It is at the Parks Leisure Centre

However it is in the large gym one of the few areas not used as part of the British. For regulars it is not in the usual room either. Using the 5 sq metres per person the hall (similar to Horntye at Hastings) would hold 172 people but it has been decided to restrict the numbers to 120.

I note elsewhere that it is said that it is certain to go on. Perhaps it would be better to say that it is as certain, as possible in these times, that it will go ahead.

Tim Spanton
Posts: 1204
Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 11:35 am
Contact:

Re: Northumberland Chess Congress

Post by Tim Spanton » Wed Aug 12, 2020 7:01 pm

Any other compulsory measures apart from spacing, eg facemasks, handwringing, etc?

Alex McFarlane
Posts: 1757
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:52 pm

Re: Northumberland Chess Congress

Post by Alex McFarlane » Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:28 pm

The restrictions should be on the website soon if not already.

Only a single board, players expected to sit back except when moving.
Face masks must be worn. Those with a medical reason for not doing so must wear a visor.
Sets cleaned between rounds
One way system
hand washing as should be expected
Gloves must also be washed if worn

No canteen.

Brendan O'Gorman
Posts: 741
Joined: Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:10 pm

Re: Northumberland Chess Congress

Post by Brendan O'Gorman » Wed Aug 12, 2020 9:17 pm

Alex McFarlane wrote:
Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:28 pm
== text omitted ==
No canteen.
Yippee. We can take in our plastic bags with a clear conscience.

Roger de Coverly
Posts: 21291
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:51 pm

Re: Northumberland Chess Congress

Post by Roger de Coverly » Wed Aug 12, 2020 9:24 pm

Alex McFarlane wrote:
Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:28 pm
Face masks must be worn.
Half an hour in a supermarket is bad enough. I would find that a disincentive to enter. But perhaps it will be over subscribed for the novelty value.

Simon Rogers
Posts: 2337
Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2020 4:30 pm

Re: Northumberland Chess Congress

Post by Simon Rogers » Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:02 am

I work in retail. I have to wear a mask all day.
The important thing is at least there will be a OTB tournament in the UK next month
Thanks for posting the link for the Northumberland Chess Congress website Roger.

User avatar
Matt Mackenzie
Posts: 5191
Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:51 pm
Location: Millom, Cumbria

Re: Northumberland Chess Congress

Post by Matt Mackenzie » Thu Aug 13, 2020 1:22 pm

Can't you get a visor instead? Many retail workers use them and find them rather more comfortable than masks.
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)

Alex McFarlane
Posts: 1757
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:52 pm

Re: Northumberland Chess Congress

Post by Alex McFarlane » Thu Aug 13, 2020 2:47 pm

Visors may protect the wearer but offer much less protection to others. (This seems to be generally agreed and was stated by the Scottish Government.)

Therefore to minimise risk this seems to be a necessary evil.

David Gilbert
Posts: 962
Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:03 am

Re: Northumberland Chess Congress

Post by David Gilbert » Thu Aug 13, 2020 10:36 pm

I've entered - looks like 23 so far. At the moment my masks are red & white poka dot or blue & white check, but I'll be getting chess designs for Northumbria. There are some great chess masks out there, I liked this one https://www.redbubble.com/i/mask/Obsess ... 6626.9G0D8

Gareth T Ellis
Posts: 237
Joined: Fri Aug 23, 2013 6:07 pm

Re: Northumberland Chess Congress

Post by Gareth T Ellis » Sat Aug 15, 2020 2:16 pm

They were waiting for this meeting before fully advertising the event in case of changes.

Received from Michael Riding today:

Please can you share with leagues/clubs as far and wide as possible.
Traditional greetings and apology if you've already had this.

25 entries as I write. Document attached outlines measures being taken . Council very supportive - last meeting 13/08/20. As I write we're going ahead.

Link to site is https://northumberlandchesscongress.webs.com/

Please note I need to update entry form. The Open is no longer FIDE rated and there will be no Foundation section.

If you wish to play please enter now. The council are being massively supportive. We need to reciprocate this with numbers. Previous assurances wrt returning entry fees etc in the event of problems beyond our control apply.

If you wish to play but there are shortcomings in the document - please let me know and if I can address I will.

If you don't wish to play because of the current situation that's fine. We (NCA) respect that and hope to see you again in better times.

Finally - whether you do or don't enter - please share this with all your chess playing friends/colleagues. We need all the support we can get and I cannot understate how much it would mean if - regardless of personal opinion - you could pass on.

Many thanks - Mick
Attachments
NWCC2020ProtocolsandLayout05.pdf
(821.88 KiB) Downloaded 75 times

Post Reply