Witney Congress 6-7 November 2021

[Roger de Coverly]

Here's one that Simon seemingly has missed.

http://www.witneychess.co.uk/
https://form.jotform.com/212690759713362

(Witney is in Oxfordshire between Oxford and Gloucester)

You may have needed to be on the 4NCL circulation list to find out about it, as it isn't on the ECF Calendar as of writing this.

[James Toon]

There aren't many OTB weekend tournaments at the moment, so this is a welcome addition to the calendar. It looks like it isn't FIDE-rated.

[Simon Rogers]

Here's one that Simon seemingly has missed.

http://www.witneychess.co.uk/
https://form.jotform.com/212690759713362

(Witney is in Oxfordshire between Oxford and Gloucester)

You may have needed to be on the 4NCL circulation list to find out about it, as it isn't on the ECF Calendar as of writing this.

Thanks Roger. I certainly missed that tournament. I've not visited the chess clubs websites in Oxfordshire for a while.
I started looking at the chess club websites in Dorset and Lincolnshire this morning.

[Jon Underwood]

Unclear what the corona rules for this tournament will be - i.e. masks or not. Anyone know?

[Kevin Thurlow]

"Unclear what the corona rules for this tournament will be - i.e. masks or not. Anyone know?"

I asked...

Basically the 4NCL rules. Masks recommended but not mandatory.

Someone paired against an opponent without a mask can claim a ½ point bye for both players.

BUT if the player claiming a mask exemption can present an exemption certificate and an up to date negative PCR test result to the control team before start of play then the ½ point bye option is not available to the opponent (who can of course still refuse to play, but would score a 0).

If both players agree, masks can be dispensed with.

Masks should be worn when away from the board (but again, recommended not mandatory).

But with a month still to go all that may change……

[Simon Rogers]

Here's one that Simon seemingly has missed.

http://www.witneychess.co.uk/
https://form.jotform.com/212690759713362

(Witney is in Oxfordshire between Oxford and Gloucester)

You may have needed to be on the 4NCL circulation list to find out about it, as it isn't on the ECF Calendar as of writing this.

Don't worry.
I've found another Congress

[Jon Underwood]

"Unclear what the corona rules for this tournament will be - i.e. masks or not. Anyone know?"

I asked...

Basically the 4NCL rules. Masks recommended but not mandatory.

Someone paired against an opponent without a mask can claim a ½ point bye for both players.

BUT if the player claiming a mask exemption can present an exemption certificate and an up to date negative PCR test result to the control team before start of play then the ½ point bye option is not available to the opponent (who can of course still refuse to play, but would score a 0).

If both players agree, masks can be dispensed with.

Masks should be worn when away from the board (but again, recommended not mandatory).

But with a month still to go all that may change……

Thanks. I think I can live with that (as someone who would not play in a mask). It does seem to offer a small unintended incentive to someone at the bottom end of the rating band against whom few opponents would fancy a draw.