Hi Janelle Losoff and others,
Thank you for your efforts on this issue. I am one of the founders of the USBCA
in 1967. I was its first President and a many-time competitor for the U.S.
Blind Championship.
I agree with Alex, Jim Thoune, and many others that the 2020 Championship
should be online and not over-the-board in Manchester, New Hampshire.
I would definitely enter an online Championship. I would definitely not enter
the Manchester Championship. Going to Manchester is money-consuming,
time-consuming and dangerous.
Sincerely, James Slagle
On Saturday, September 19, 2020, 06:07:07 AM EDT, barrassoal@xxxxxxxxx
<barrassoal@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Thank you Janelle for your willingness to assist. I am not on the USBCA board,
so it would not be appropriate for me to comment on communications between our
organizations and event organizers. I will speak for myself as an USBCA member
for over 30 years, a USCF life member, and as a competitor in both several of
the OTB championships as well as other USCF tournaments, both at the scholastic
level and as an adult. An on-line championship is what we desperately need
now. As you know better than all of us, many USCF tournaments are now taking
place in this format. The OTB championships have been very sparsely attended
since the late 90s. Some years, we have had as few as three or four players,
and that was the state of affairs prior to COVID. Add to that the difficulties
of travel in these times, and you could very easily end up with one or two
competitors. That would be an unsatisfactory result for all
involved—organizers, players, hotel—anyone involved in the effort. The only
way to avoid that is by moving to an on-line format.
You might ask why so few players have participated in OTB events in the past?
There are a number of reasons, and those are specific to each player. Some I
have heard previously are the difficulty of travel (some competitors have
multiple disabilities beyond their blindness), cost, and an increasing ability
to compete in the familiar confines of one’s home. Add to that the COVID
situation, which I believe complicates travel more for those of us without
sight, and you have a perfect storm that could easily result in one or two
competitors, or perhaps even none at all.
I leave it to the USBCA board to fill you in on the communications they have
had with the USCF and organizers. I have not been party to those, and it would
be inappropriate for me to comment on them. But an on-line event to me is
clearly the best way forward. We can even help recruit volunteer time-keepers
if that is the problem. Some international championships for physically
disabled players are now on-line and setting the right precedent for us. I
just hope everyone can come together and follow it. Thank you. Alex
From: usbca_chess-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <usbca_chess-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On
Behalf Of JT
Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2020 11:03 AM
To: usbca_chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [usbca_chess] Re: Official notice of 2020 U.S. Championship for blind
players
Hi Janelle,
Thank you Thank you Thank you! For offering your assistance. It may take some
time to get copies of the discussion specifically between Alex and Ginny
Alverson, the current USBCA President. I will forward you copies of the emails
exchanged between Boyd Reed and myself as soon as I can lay hands on them. I
only hope I didn’t delete them in a fit of depression. I assure you, he did say
emphatically that there would be and could be no online championship event this
year. I will be back in touch.
Gratefully,
Jim T
From: usbca_chess-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:usbca_chess-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Janelle Losoff
Sent: Friday, September 18, 2020 7:47 PM
To: usbca_chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [usbca_chess] Re: Official notice of 2020 U.S. Championship for blind
players
Hi Jim and all,
I've been following this thread for a while now and am concerned. As the
former US Chess ASCC Chairman and your guest, it's not my place to interfere in
the US Chess/USBCA relations. As a ASCC member my mission is merely to help US
Chess organizers and TDs better serve players with disabilties. ASCC also
supports the right of players to ask for, and received reasonable
accommodations for fair play during US Chess events.
Since the US Blind is a cooperative effort between USBCA and US Chess, I have
taken an interest in it. With your permission, I wish to act as a bridge for
better communication and cooperation between the two organizations.
Jim, in your email, you said Boyd Reed at US Chess has "dug in his heals" about
having the US Blind played OTB. That doesn't seems like something Boyd would
do. Where did this idea come from? Did you see an email, text or post about
it? If so where was it written and who wrote it? Rumors can be damaging to
both organizations. Let's stop them.
My husband, Alan Losoff, and I have run many National events in partnership
with US Chess since 1992. In all that time, US Chess has trusted and respected
us as organizers to run our events within it's guidelines and the safety
guidelines of the State where we've held our events. I have never known US
Chess to interfer with the rights of organizers or other organizations once a
National contract is signed.
Do you know of any time US Chess has forced an organizer to cancel an event,
move an event online, or insist on OTB play against an organizer's wishes? I
haven't seen any evidence of that, but if you have, please let me know. It's
important.
Yes, I hear your concerned about playing an OTB event now, especially for your
USBCA members. It's a tough time for organizers too. Some organizers are stuck
in contracts that can't be broken via force majeure. My own US Chess National
Open Championship was cancelled by the Nevada State Gaming Commission that
controls all casino operations and casino hotels in the state. I don't know
what Alex's situation is. Do you? What's the Covid-19 situation in New
Hampshire? Last I looked checked, it was much improved.
https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america/new-hampshire?view=total-deaths&tab=trend
And the New Hampshire safety guidance seems reasonable.
https://www.covidguidance.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt381/files/files/inline-documents/guidance-universal.pdf
Yes, travel to and from the US Blind may be a challenge, but somevplayers will
get there. If the US Blind is held over the board, what can we do to help Alex
Relyea, USBCA and US Chess make it safe and successful?
Although I can only speak for myself here, please help me support you and
USBCA.
Respectfully yours,
Janelle Losoff, member
US Chess Accessibility and Special Circumstances Committee &
USBCA guest
On Fri, Sep 18, 2020, 9:09 AM JT <hazelnutt2001@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi David,
I don't want to belabor the point... But maybe I do need to say this: My not
attending an OTB tournament this year has little to do with how well or
poorly I am recovering from COVID. In fact, I am pretty well recovered from my
bout with the beast. In fact, my antipathy has everything to do with the fact
that I personally feel it is foolish for people to travel unnecessarily at this
time, Especially when there is a perfectly viable alternative. For whatever
reason, Boyd and Alex have dug in their heels against an online event. I feel
it amounts to reckless endangerment. To any who choose to go, I wish a pleasant
and safe experience.
Jim T
-----Original Message-----
From: usbca_chess-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:usbca_chess-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Rosenkoetter
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 9:16 PM
To: usbca_chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [usbca_chess] Re: Official notice of 2020 U.S. Championship for blind
players
Hi, Jim.
That's totally understandable. If you need to stay back this year, I hope your
recovery is going well. And, I'd agree. If we were to have the event online,
we'd probably get a bunch more folks. I've been playing in my fair share of
USCF tournaments online, so I know for sure how well they work.
AndMaybe, next year, everyone can reconvene in Pittsburgh again or somewhere
else. I've said it before. I'll go anywhere, any time, any way possible to
participate in our o.t.b. championship.
David
On 9/16/20, JT <hazelnutt2001@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I wish I could echo David's enthusiasm. I will go so far as to say
that I do hope that whoever chooses to attend the tournament gets
there and back home without contracting or spreading the Coronavirus.
I, for one, just don't see the point in taking the chance. If anyone
from the USCF reads this, I'd sure love to hear how pushing this OTB
event is going to benefit the USBCA. Three people have told me that
they "might" attend. And I cannot in good conscience make any sort of
impassioned plea to players to make the journey.
If we were doing it online, I'd be right there, front and center,
trying to get people to participate. And I bet we'd have closer to 30,
rather than three. But... IT's their money, and their call. Be safe,
everybody. If you plan to travel, be careful!
Jim T
PS: In case anyone wonders, I'm not speaking as a USBCA board member,
I'm speaking as one individual who got nailed by the virus despite
taking every precaution. I am speaking as one individual who loves
chess, who cares greatly about promoting the game to everyone, in
general, and to blind and VI players in particular. I am speaking as
one individual who would do most anything to get people involved with
chess, almost anything. But I won't ask people to put themselves in
the way of something that could do them harm, especially when there is
such a simple and more popular alternative.--JT
-----Original Message-----
From: usbca_chess-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:usbca_chess-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David ;
Rosenkoetter
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 7:38 AM
To: usbca_chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [usbca_chess] Re: Official notice of 2020 U.S. Championship
for blind players
Folks, I'm so glad to see this announcement. It's certainly short notice.
But I hope we can get a few of us to play.
And, in answer to Vinnie's question, I doubt the tournament would be
in Alaska. Normally, it's been in Steelers territory. But, being in Celtics'
and Red Sox land will be great this year. So,, set up the boards,
start the clocks, and let's get ready to rumble.
David
Live Free or Die is the NH State motto.
On 9/15/20, /vincent Beatty <vbeatty1@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Perhaps next year it can be in Alaska!
On Sep 15, 2020, at 12:56 PM, Ginny Alverson <sportsgirl17@xxxxxxx>
wrote:
Hello, all: I think I neglected to paste the details for the U.S.
championship for blind players in the last message I sent. I don’t
know how I neglected to do this. Here is the official announcement
from the tournament organizer and the USCF.
Ginny Alverson: President, USBCA
TLA:
2020 U.S. Blind Chess Championship
4 SS,
G/135 d0. Courtyard Manchester/Boston Regional Airport,
700 Huse Road, Manchester, NH 03103, (603) 641-4900. Free shuttle
to/from airport.
EF: $1. Reg.: Onsite - Sat. 24 October: 9-9:45am or online at
www.relyeachess.com. Rds.: Sat. 10-4, Sun. 10-4.
Prize Fund: $1,400 GTD: 1st: $400, 2nd: $300, 3rd: $200, 4th: $100,
$100-Best player U1400, $100- Class E (1000-1199), $100- Under 1000,
$100- Upset Prize. NOTE: All players must be classified as Legally
Blind and bring proof. You must also be a current member of US Chess
for $18 a year. You can join US Chess at the event! Contact: Nita
Patel, td@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Phone: 603-716-3040 or Joan DuBois, tla@xxxxxxxxxxx, (c) 931-200-3412.
BCCA Gambit and Counter Gambit Tournament coordinator.
