Hi all,
"At the conference, it should be emphasized that the visually
handicapped consist of 2 groups.
1. The larger group by far are the Partially sighted. They can play
chess by sight."
This is strictly not true. Although they may be physically able to
"see" the board, they are strong chess players and have the chess
ability to "see" everything in their mind-eye. They physically need to
see the board to play at the high standards that they do.
Likewise, I, as a totally blind player, play by "sight". So much so,
that I am able to play on a normal sized chess set. I can make moves
and 95% of the time, place the pieces accurately within the squares.
That's about spatial awareness and visualization.
So, no, this is a very dangerous generalization.
"2. The smaller group are totally blind, or nearly so. They cannot
play by sight."
Untrue. I know many a totally blind chess player, who is able to play
with "sight". OK, I'm probably the main exception to that statement,
but I know others, who have lesser, but more importantly, abilities to
"see" the board.
"As a whole, the second group is more disadvantaged than the first."
This is not true. Chess is a game of pure skill. Physical attributes
have no impact on the ability of a chess player. Sure, in tournament
settings, reasonable adjustments have to be put into place to enable a
totally blind chess player to maintain a level playing field. Take
away time controls, tournament conditions and the such like, and there
is no reason at all why a totally blind chess player cannot playing at
the highest levels of the game. If he has chessic ability, then they
have every opportunity to thrive and succeed just as much as the
player sin group 1.
"The following applies only to individual and team championships for
the "blind". To make it fair, something needs to be done to help the
totally blind. Otherwise, group 1 will dominate group 2."
The simple evident fact that in the world, there are more players in
group 1 than group 2, makes this an utterly moot point. Statistically,
this statement cannot be substantiated.
"A. Suppose Groups 1 and 2 are lumped together. Every player should
be blindfolded."
A ridiculous notion. Indeed, this would be highly discriminatory for
the players in group 1. Why take away from them, what is a natural
state of affairs? So, you are taking away from group 1 and advantaging
group 2, who have no change in status.
"B. Group 1 should play among themselves. This would be the partially
sighted championship."
So, the likes of myself, Wassin from Ukraine should not be offered the
opportunity to play amongst the strongest in the world? That is
absurd. That is again being highly discriminatory to the strongest
players in group 2.
"Group 2 should play among themselves. This would be the blind championship."
Another proposal that is not feasible nor even logically. Why should I
play, and others for that matter, within such a limited playing field?
That is hamstringing the likes of me?
Think about the logistics of the thought too. Having two separate
events only increases cost, practicalities of things and the
attendance at group 2's tournament will be incredibly low. Making it
an unsustainable venture.
Finally, I agree things need to be looked at and the IBCA is in urgent
need of a make-over, but we require better suggestions rather than
these outlandish and preposterous recommendations.
See you on Wednesday, where I will be part of one of the panels!
Thanks,
Chris
On 12/5/21, Jim Slagle <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Edward Green and others,
Sorry for the misunderstanding. The following should be clearer.
Hi,
This is great!
At the conference, it should be emphasized that the visually handicapped
consist of 2 groups.
1. The larger group by far are the Partially sighted. They can play chess by
sight.
2. The smaller group are totally blind, or nearly so. They cannot play by
sight.
As a whole, the second group is more disadvantaged than the first.
The following applies only to individual and team championships for the
"blind".
To make it fair, something needs to be done to help the totally blind.
Otherwise, group 1 will dominate group 2. For example:
A. Suppose Groups 1 and 2 are lumped together. Every player should be
blindfolded.
B. Group 1 should play among themselves. This would be the partially sighted
championship.
Group 2 should play among themselves. This would be the blind
championship.
Sincerely, James Slagle
On Saturday, December 4, 2021, 05:18:58 PM EST, Olivier Deville
<odeville@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Announcement - Conference on Inclusion
Chess for Inclusion of the Blind and Visually Impaired
Registration by email to sl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
8 December 2021 10.00-16.00 UTC / GMT on Zoom
10.00-11.15 Opening Plenary Session
Chess for Inclusion in Education
Welcome by Dominic Cross (Portuguese Chess Federation)
Dr Jörgen Magnusson (Swedish Association of Visually Impaired Chess):
The Challenges of Chess for the Blind
Dr Carlota Brazileiro (Instituto Piaget, CICANT Lusofona University):
What Chess Can Learn from Other Games
Agostinho Rouxo (Portuguese Chess Federation):
The Xadrez Táctil Project
11.15-12.15 Parallel Workshops
Teaching and Coaching
with Dr Carlota Brazileiro (Instituto Piaget, CICANT Lusofona University),
Chris Ross (player and coach) and
Seckin Serpil (Chess without Boundaries)
Strategy and Communication
with Akaki Iashvili* (FIDE DIS Commission),
Dr Charudatta Jadhav(International Braille Chess Association) and
Dr Jörgen Magnusson (Swedish Association of Visually Impaired Chess)
12.15-13.30 Lunch Break
13.30-14.45 Plenary Session
Chess as an Inclusive Sport
Akaki Iashvili (FIDE DIS Commission)*
FIDE´s inclusion strategy
NN Inclusion of Blind and Visually Impaired Players in Spain*
Dr Ian McDonald (Newcastle University):
Algorithms - A documentary about India´s blind chess players
Dr Charudatta Jadhav:
Bringing blind players to a higher level
14.45-15.00
Coffee Break
15.00-16.00 Workshop
Digital Acessibility
with Chris Callahan (Lichess)
Dr Charudatta Jadhav (International Braille Chess Association)
Tage Johansson* (Swedish Association of Visually Impaired Chess)
Jirina Prokopova (Tornelo)
Handenur Sahin (Chess without Boundaries)
Speakers:
Carlota Brazileirois a didactician of mathematics and lecturer in special
education at the Instituto Piaget of CICANT Lusofona University Lisbon.
Chris Callahan is Lichess Community Manager and a chess teacher in North
Carolina.
Dominic Cross is president and executive director of the Portuguese Chess
Federation.
Akaki Iashvili is chairman of the FIDE Commission for the Disabled and
secretary of the Georgian Chess Federation.
Charudatta Jadhavis President of the International Braille Chess
Association,Head of the Accessibility Center of Excellence at Tata
Consultancy Services in Mumbai and a computer scientist.
Tage Johansson is board member of the Swedish Association of Visually
Impaired Chess and a computer science student.
Stefan Löffler is editor of ChessTech.org, conference organiser,
games-in-education consultant and International Master.
Jörgen Magnusson is President of the Swedish Association of Visually
Impaired Chess, a FIDE Master and historian of religion at Uppsala
University.
Ian McDonald is a documentary filmmaker and film lecturer at the School of
Arts and Cultures at Newcastle University.
JirinaProkopová is European Representative of Tornelo and an International
Arbiter from the Czech Republic.
Chris Ross is head ot the Sheffield Region Access Centre, a player, coach
and language teacher.
Agostinho Rouxois Director and project manager of the Portuguese Chess
Federation.
Handenur Sahinis co-founder of Chess without Boundaries, a Woman Candidate
Master and political scientist in Istanbul.
Seckin Serpilis co-founder of Chess without Boundaries, member of the FIDE
Commission for the Disabled, a chess coach and lawyer in Istanbul.
Beste Grüße / Kind regards / Com os melhores cumprimentos
Stefan Löffler
Editor, ChessTech https://www.chesstech.org
https://twitter.com/ChesstechNews
Consultant and Journalist https://twitter.com/StefanLoeffler
phone +43 690 1016 1738
whatsapp + 43 677 6194 5317
Hi all,
"At the conference, it should be emphasized that the visually
handicapped consist of 2 groups.
1. The larger group by far are the Partially sighted. They can play
chess by sight."
This is strictly not true. Although they may be physically able to
"see" the board, they are strong chess players and have the chess
ability to "see" everything in their mind-eye. They physically need to
see the board to play at the high standards that they do.
Likewise, I, as a totally blind player, play by "sight". So much so,
that I am able to play on a normal sized chess set. I can make moves
and 95% of the time, place the pieces accurately within the squares.
That's about spatial awareness and visualization.
So, no, this is a very dangerous generalization.
"2. The smaller group are totally blind, or nearly so. They cannot
play by sight."
Untrue. I know many a totally blind chess player, who is able to play
with "sight". OK, I'm probably the main exception to that statement,
but I know others, who have lesser, but more importantly, abilities to
"see" the board.
"As a whole, the second group is more disadvantaged than the first."
This is not true. Chess is a game of pure skill. Physical attributes
have no impact on the ability of a chess player. Sure, in tournament
settings, reasonable adjustments have to be put into place to enable a
totally blind chess player to maintain a level playing field. Take
away time controls, tournament conditions and the such like, and there
is no reason at all why a totally blind chess player cannot playing at
the highest levels of the game. If he has chessic ability, then they
have every opportunity to thrive and succeed just as much as the
player sin group 1.
"The following applies only to individual and team championships for
the "blind". To make it fair, something needs to be done to help the
totally blind. Otherwise, group 1 will dominate group 2."
The simple evident fact that in the world, there are more players in
group 1 than group 2, makes this an utterly moot point. Statistically,
this statement cannot be substantiated.
"A. Suppose Groups 1 and 2 are lumped together. Every player should
be blindfolded."
A ridiculous notion. Indeed, this would be highly discriminatory for
the players in group 1. Why take away from them, what is a natural
state of affairs? So, you are taking away from group 1 and advantaging
group 2, who have no change in status.
"B. Group 1 should play among themselves. This would be the partially
sighted championship."
So, the likes of myself, Wassin from Ukraine should not be offered the
opportunity to play amongst the strongest in the world? That is
absurd. That is again being highly discriminatory to the strongest
players in group 2.
"Group 2 should play among themselves. This would be the blind
championship."
Another proposal that is not feasible nor even logically. Why should I
play, and others for that matter, within such a limited playing field?
That is hamstringing the likes of me?
Think about the logistics of the thought too. Having two separate
events only increases cost, practicalities of things and the
attendance at group 2's tournament will be incredibly low. Making it
an unsustainable venture.
Finally, I agree things need to be looked at and the IBCA is in urgent
need of a make-over, but we require better suggestions rather than
these outlandish and preposterous recommendations.
See you on Wednesday, where I will be part of one of the panels!
Thanks,
Chris
On 12/5/21, Jim Slagle <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Edward Green and others,
Sorry for the misunderstanding. The following should be clearer.
Hi,
This is great!
At the conference, it should be emphasized that the visually handicapped
consist of 2 groups.
1. The larger group by far are the Partially sighted. They can play chess
by
sight.
2. The smaller group are totally blind, or nearly so. They cannot play by
sight.
As a whole, the second group is more disadvantaged than the first.
The following applies only to individual and team championships for the
"blind".
To make it fair, something needs to be done to help the totally blind.
Otherwise, group 1 will dominate group 2. For example:
A. Suppose Groups 1 and 2 are lumped together. Every player should be
blindfolded.
B. Group 1 should play among themselves. This would be the partially
sighted
championship.
Group 2 should play among themselves. This would be the blind
championship.
Sincerely, James Slagle
On Saturday, December 4, 2021, 05:18:58 PM EST, Olivier Deville
<odeville@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Announcement - Conference on Inclusion
Chess for Inclusion of the Blind and Visually Impaired
Registration by email to sl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
8 December 2021 10.00-16.00 UTC / GMT on Zoom
10.00-11.15 Opening Plenary Session
Chess for Inclusion in Education
Welcome by Dominic Cross (Portuguese Chess Federation)
Dr Jörgen Magnusson (Swedish Association of Visually Impaired Chess):
The Challenges of Chess for the Blind
Dr Carlota Brazileiro (Instituto Piaget, CICANT Lusofona University):
What Chess Can Learn from Other Games
Agostinho Rouxo (Portuguese Chess Federation):
The Xadrez Táctil Project
11.15-12.15 Parallel Workshops
Teaching and Coaching
with Dr Carlota Brazileiro (Instituto Piaget, CICANT Lusofona
University),
Chris Ross (player and coach) and
Seckin Serpil (Chess without Boundaries)
Strategy and Communication
with Akaki Iashvili* (FIDE DIS Commission),
Dr Charudatta Jadhav(International Braille Chess Association) and
Dr Jörgen Magnusson (Swedish Association of Visually Impaired Chess)
12.15-13.30 Lunch Break
13.30-14.45 Plenary Session
Chess as an Inclusive Sport
Akaki Iashvili (FIDE DIS Commission)*
FIDE´s inclusion strategy
NN Inclusion of Blind and Visually Impaired Players in Spain*
Dr Ian McDonald (Newcastle University):
Algorithms - A documentary about India´s blind chess players
Dr Charudatta Jadhav:
Bringing blind players to a higher level
14.45-15.00
Coffee Break
15.00-16.00 Workshop
Digital Acessibility
with Chris Callahan (Lichess)
Dr Charudatta Jadhav (International Braille Chess Association)
Tage Johansson* (Swedish Association of Visually Impaired Chess)
Jirina Prokopova (Tornelo)
Handenur Sahin (Chess without Boundaries)
Speakers:
Carlota Brazileirois a didactician of mathematics and lecturer in special
education at the Instituto Piaget of CICANT Lusofona University Lisbon.
Chris Callahan is Lichess Community Manager and a chess teacher in North
Carolina.
Dominic Cross is president and executive director of the Portuguese Chess
Federation.
Akaki Iashvili is chairman of the FIDE Commission for the Disabled and
secretary of the Georgian Chess Federation.
Charudatta Jadhavis President of the International Braille Chess
Association,Head of the Accessibility Center of Excellence at Tata
Consultancy Services in Mumbai and a computer scientist.
Tage Johansson is board member of the Swedish Association of Visually
Impaired Chess and a computer science student.
Stefan Löffler is editor of ChessTech.org, conference organiser,
games-in-education consultant and International Master.
Jörgen Magnusson is President of the Swedish Association of Visually
Impaired Chess, a FIDE Master and historian of religion at Uppsala
University.
Ian McDonald is a documentary filmmaker and film lecturer at the School
of
Arts and Cultures at Newcastle University.
JirinaProkopová is European Representative of Tornelo and an
International
Arbiter from the Czech Republic.
Chris Ross is head ot the Sheffield Region Access Centre, a player, coach
and language teacher.
Agostinho Rouxois Director and project manager of the Portuguese Chess
Federation.
Handenur Sahinis co-founder of Chess without Boundaries, a Woman
Candidate
Master and political scientist in Istanbul.
Seckin Serpilis co-founder of Chess without Boundaries, member of the
FIDE
Commission for the Disabled, a chess coach and lawyer in Istanbul.
Beste Grüße / Kind regards / Com os melhores cumprimentos
Stefan Löffler
Editor, ChessTech https://www.chesstech.org
https://twitter.com/ChesstechNews
Consultant and Journalist https://twitter.com/StefanLoeffler
phone +43 690 1016 1738
whatsapp + 43 677 6194 5317
