Hello everyone,
This is clearly the most heated thread that I've seen since I became a member
of this group, and it's because it is probably the most important.
What I'm writing to say is very simple. There is currently no organised OTB
chess going on in the UK. Even the one club that I knew of that had resumed, my
own, has stopped again because of the "rule of six". In light of the growing
'second peak' I suspect the UK will soon find itself in a second lockdown.
There is a lot of on-line chess happening. Even a Bristol League organised
Sunday evening has had a London-based GM competing in it, and losing to a
junior! So the chess is there if people want it.
Of course the UK and the US do not have strictly comparible circumstances, but
nevertheless the main enemy is common - Covid 19.
I'm grateful to be listed on your website as a Senior Consultant. Although i'm
not going to offer advice on the principal championship of another country's
chess organsation, I will just simply point to the above facts and let you draw
your own conclusions.
Stay safe.
Tyson Mordue
Bristol, UK
On 19 September 2020 at 14:22 Jim Slagle <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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 ;
[mailto:usbca_chess-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Janelle Losoff
Sent: Friday, September 18, 2020 7:47 PM
To: usbca_chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto: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
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
mailto: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 ;
[mailto: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 mailto: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
mailto: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
> [mailto: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 mailto: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
mailto:vbeatty1@xxxxxxxxxx ;> wrote:
>> Perhaps next year it can be in Alaska!
>>
>>> On Sep 15, 2020, at 12:56 PM, Ginny Alverson
<sportsgirl17@xxxxxxx mailto: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
>>>http://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 mailto:td@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ;.
>>> Phone: 603-716-3040 or Joan DuBois, tla@xxxxxxxxxxx
mailto:tla@xxxxxxxxxxx , ;(c) 931-200-3412.
>>>
>>> BCCA Gambit and Counter Gambit Tournament coordinator.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
