How and we're would you like me to promote this event?
Janelle Losoff,
US Chess Accessibility & Special Circumstances Committee
On Fri, Jun 5, 2020, 2:29 PM JT <hazelnutt2001@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Yes, you read the subjectline correctly! So, spread the word! The United
States Chess Federation (USCF) has authorized and will sanction the USBCA
to hold its first ever online National Championship tournament. Now you
don’t have to worry about transportation and hotel costs. You don’t even
have to worry about being away from home! There are a lot of specifics to
be yet ironed out, but here is what we know:
This tournament will be held using Zoom and/or Skype;
You must be willing to accept a video communication, as mandated by the
USCF, in order to ensure against anyone using software help;
You must be a legal US resident, living in the US or in a US territory;
You must have a current USCF membership as of the start of the tournament;
The USCF is providing a tournament Director;
The USCF is providing timekeepers;
Games will be rated and timed, although we don’t know exactly what the
time control will be;
Each game will be conducted via a link known only to the timekeeper and
the two players;
Because there is no transportation or accommodation expenses, we are
charging a $30 Entry Fee. We do not yet know when this fee will be
due—since we don’t yet know the start date for the tournament.
To play each game, you will not have to use an onscreen chessboard. You
will use your own board, sitting at your computer or reclining with your
telephone, and you will communicate your moves verbally, just as we do in
any tournament or friendly situation. So, you will need to have a
microphone and speaker so you can hear your opponent and your opponent can
hear you. And, of course, the timekeeper will need to hear and see both of
you.
That’s what we know for sure. Here’s the way we think it will happen. The
tournament will begin some time in late July or into August. We anticipate
that there will be one, or possibly two rounds played per day. We do not
yet know how many rounds there will be, because we do not know how many
players will participate. Each game will be arranged separately in order to
accommodate the time zone of each player. A possible scenario could be one
round played each Saturday for as many Saturdays as are needed. There could
be one round on Saturday and one round on Sunday. We assume there will be
prize money, but we don’t know for sure yet.
(The cost of the USCF membership is $18 per year. It does not matter
whether you have held membership in the USCF in the past; you only need
current year membership.)
So, the maximum cost of participating in our first ever national
Championship tournament to be held online is $48.00, $30 for the Entry Fee,
to be paid to the USBCA, and $18, to be paid to the USCF if you don’t have
current membership for 2020.
PLEASE, AND NOTE THAT THIS IS IN ALL CAPS, DO NOT ADDRESS QUESTIONS TO ANY
OF THE LISTS REFERENCED ABOVE. ADDRESS THEM ONLY TO ME USING THE EMAIL or
phone number BELOW MY SIGNATURE. Let’s minimize the risk of people getting
differing information.
Also, please let me know if you believe there is even a chance you will
participate. We need to start getting a head count as soon as possible so
that we can plan regarding duration and logistics.
Let’s make this our biggest tournament Ever! Let’s show the USCF our
appreciation through our participation. We’ve been asking for this
accommodation for several years; they have finally agreed. The National
Blind Championship tournaments I have followed in other countries have
players of all strengths joining in. So, if you’re thinking you’re not good
enough to play in a national tournament, just quit it. Quit thinking you’re
not good enough and start thinking what a great opportunity this will be to
make some new friends, get some chess experience, and maybe even surprise
yourself! For a tournament of this nature, the price is dirt cheap. You
won’t find a better bargain for gaining a bit of tournament experience. I
can’t think of a better venue for a player’s first tournament.
Let me hear from you! And for goodness sake, SPREAD THE WORD!
All the best,
Jim Thoune, USBCA Board of Directors
Hazelnutt2001@xxxxxxxxx
(971) 242-9991
