Northumberland Chess Congress

[Alex McFarlane]

The Council has decided that the new restrictions are a step too far and with great regret the cancellation of the Northumberland Congress has to be announced.

We apologise to all those who had hoped to play and only the recent worsening situation prevented it happening.

Thanks to everyone for the support offered.

Mick Riding is gutted but has already started working on refunds.

Hopefully we will see you in 2021

[Wadih Khoury]

Thanks to the organisers for all their efforts to bring back safe OtB and a partial sense of normality.
Hopefully this will only delay things by a month or two.

[Ian Thompson]

Hopefully this will only delay things by a month or two.

I'd like to think you'll be right, but I doubt it. Apart from Harrogate, I can't see any OTB event that's going to happen in the ECF calendar. You need a few weeks to organise an event and who would want to start doing that now, whilst there's still a high risk of it being unable to take place?

[Wadih Khoury]

Hopefully this will only delay things by a month or two.

I'd like to think you'll be right, but I doubt it. Apart from Harrogate, I can't see any OTB event that's going to happen in the ECF calendar. You need a few weeks to organise an event and who would want to start doing that now, whilst there's still a high risk of it being unable to take place?

Hence the use of "hopefully"
I'd rather hope naively for a total extinction of covid by tomorrow, rather than think too much what would happen if this virus generates no immunity and stays with us constantly.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Its sheer bad luck this one isn't going ahead, to take from that the idea that we shouldn't try at all is totally the wrong lesson.

[Nick Grey]

I am upset for the North East. Best wishes for 2021. ALL of you.

[Chris Rice]

This was the formal announcement of the cancellation from Mick Riding on FB. Fair to say I guess he was pretty upset after all the efforts that were put in to get the tournament running:

"I am sorry to have to tell you North Tyneside Council have advised we cannot go ahead with the congress against the background of the latest North East lock down measures.
Nobody can argue how ludicrous it is that a person cannot visit their relatives/friends but we can invite people from the length and breadth of the country to play chess. If we did and there were any cases linked back to the congress the newspaper headlines would be damning. And monitoring people's movements outside of the playing arena is beyond our capacity. Hence those responsible bodies - including NTC - have come to their conclusion.
Throughout today I have continued to press for a different outcome. Not for the hell of it, more on the basis of "What else can we do to reassure you". But it's not to be. And no appeal - yes, I asked!
In three weeks-time the decision will be revisited. But given there's no guarantee of a different outcome I think it would be ludicrous to postpone rather than cancel. You guys who have entered have shown fantastic faith throughout our campaign and I feel we risk losing that if we started to reschedule with no sound basis for doing so. Therefore 2021 it is and my belief is that some of you 'first timers' might just fancy paying us a visit next year
I will start reimbursing entry fees tomorrow. Our AGM is tonight - that's going to be fun. Some of you guys will now have to seek reimbursement of accommodation and/or travelling costs. If you have any issues with this and I can help you know just to shout. Nine days. Bitter disappointment doesn't quite sum it up. Sorry, very sorry and thank you so much for your support. Best - Mick"

[mickriding]

Not quite as it turns out Kevin. This afternoon completing refunds

And Roger - I don't know if you are involved in organising events but you must realise sometimes there are compromises you need to make in order to achieve the goal. That was one of them.

[Simon Rogers]

Thanks Mick, for trying your best in difficult circumstances to try and get this event going ahead.