British Online Chess Championships 18th December 2020 to 3rd January 2021

[Mick Norris]

Why have ECF and organisers agreed this. What a waste our money. A Big NO from me.

Our money?

There are entry fees and sponsorship, we're presumably not spending any of "our" money on this, and I'd guess it might make a profit

[David Sedgwick]

ECF Directors and Officers have worked extremely hard to make this event possible. They deserve better than the snide and negative comments some posters (by no means all) have chosen to make in this thread.

I can see only one contributor whose comments might be described in this way. Some others have suggested that the regulations, if enforced to the letter, could be unworkable, but that is fair comment and probably applies to any online competition at this developmental stage.

My own view ( and I am not alone ) is that outside elite events it may not be possible to combine robust anti-cheating measures with comfortable playing conditions. Players must therefore choose whether to accept the best available compromise or not play. Is that snide and negative?

If a poster is being deliberately provocative, then that is snide and negative.

If a poster genuinely believes that they are making a fair comment, then it is not.

I apologise to anyone who feels that they were unfairly targeted by my post.

[David Sedgwick]

Why have ECF and organisers agreed this. What a waste our money. A Big NO from me.

Our money?

There are entry fees and sponsorship, we're presumably not spending any of "our" money on this, and I'd guess it might make a profit

Be careful, Mick.

On the corresponding thread on Chess.com, one poster described an entry fee of £25 for 11 days' chess as "exploitative". When I suggested that it wasn't unreasonable for arbiters who were giving up a fair amount of their time to be receiving a modest honorarium (well below the minimum wage), another poster suggested that arbiters were not needed for this or any other online event.

I have no plans to make any further comments on that thread.

[Adam Raoof]

Was there any consultation with anyone about the dates, format, entry fees, regulations of this event?

[Mick Norris]

Why have ECF and organisers agreed this. What a waste our money. A Big NO from me.

Our money?

There are entry fees and sponsorship, we're presumably not spending any of "our" money on this, and I'd guess it might make a profit

Be careful, Mick.

On the corresponding thread on Chess.com, one poster described an entry fee of £25 for 11 days' chess as "exploitative". When I suggested that it wasn't unreasonable for arbiters who were giving up a fair amount of their time to be receiving a modest honorarium (well below the minimum wage), another poster suggested that arbiters were not needed for this or any other online event.

I have no plans to make any further comments on that thread.

Really? That's less than a weekend congress and not much more than a 1 day rapidplay

[Roger de Coverly]

another poster suggested that arbiters were not needed for this or any other online event.

There is a twenty five year history of online events before national federations and their arbiters were involved to any extent. Mind you in that time, chess.com seemingly hasn't managed to develop software whereby team captains can select board orders.

[Roger de Coverly]

However, as I have commented elsewhere, similar provisions seem to have done the trick in the recent ECF County U18 Championship.

It's also claimed that the arbiters in the County U18 Championship attempted to impose conditions on what type of equipment could be used. That doesn't appear to be a feature of the British event.

It did occur to me that if using a touch screen tablet, it might be comfortable to use it as one might a pocket chess set, lying it on a desk or table. In that case the camera would likely be pointing at the ceiling.

At slower time controls, some entrants might wish to use an internet enabled DGT Sensory Board, so as to play on a real set.

[Nick Grey]

David, thank you and I will calm down. I want the rule of one person in the room removed. My partner will be here - she had a stroke.
I will see if my employers will let the software apps through the firewall.
Not sure on why no touch screen. We use at work for both councils and a standard disability adjustment amongst others.
There are lots of other posts on here so lets be positive.

[Alan Tate]

Cheating is clearly the main issue when it comes to playing online so I think all the measures here are appropriate (maybe change the wording for toilet usage). I'd even add an extra camera. 1 camera from the front and 1 from behind would help to alleviate concerns. It is unfortunate if such strict measures mean that a few can't play, but it is necessary - even 1 cheat ruins the tournament for everybody.

It would be good to see an entry list, for 2 reasons:
1. To see the strength of the tournament
2. To see if any known cheaters will play

Also, will there be cash prizes?

[Leonard Barden]

Also, will there be cash prizes?

http://www.hastingschess.com/caplin-has ... ournament/

Two places will be reserved for the winner and runner-up of the Caplin British OnLine Championships.

[Alan Tate]

Thanks Leonard.

[Matt Bridgeman]

It looks now as if all listed events now need the full monty of Zoom, no electronics in the room, etc. I think previously there seemed to be a small list, including the Major Open, that didn’t.

...correction. Everything but the qualifiers.

[Reg Clucas]

Is there a dress code.

Only above the waist!

[Nick Grey]

It is only one person in the room. This discriminates against the disabled, those with carer responsibilities and those that isolate the playing area. I want to play but my partner will be in the room recover

[Nick Grey]

ing from a stroke.