Corona Virus COVID-19 pandemic and tournaments

[Vladimir Drkulec]

I have been asked to make some kind of announcement regarding the Corona virus that has been sweeping the globe. Specifically I have been asked about participation of Canadians in events like the Pan Am Youth Festival and North American Youth Chess Championship. It is likely that many world chess events will be delayed, postponed or cancelled due to concerns about the virus. Children and young adults seem to be somewhat immune to the effects of the virus which seems to mimic other flu bugs but they can transmit it to older individuals and people with health issues and this can have devastating and deadly consequences.

We will not be registering anyone in events like the Pan Am at this time. Events with direct entry like the North American Youth Chess Championship may go on, though they are also likely to be postponed.

Today, the World Senior Team Championship has been suspended and concluded after seven rounds.

We are in new territory here. Seek advice from medical doctors and pay attention to government announcements particularly those of the Canadian and U.S. government. Don't take risks and don't behave in risky ways. Someone could die, if you are careless.

The Prime Minister's wife has tested positive for the virus. Being relatively young we hope and pray that she will make a quick and full recovery and that it does not spread further within their family or their community. This can hit anyone. Be safe.

[Christina Tao]

Dear Chess Communities,


In the light of the current COVID-19 outbreak and government directives, CFC will cancel the qualification requirements for 2020 CYCC. Players can register into CYCC directly.


It is an uncertain time and we urge everyone to remain calm and follow recommendations from the health and government authorities. Please follow CFC website for future announcements and updates



Sincerely,
Christina Tao
CFC Youth Coordinator

[Aris Marghetis]

I have passed along the following link to many people, but relatively few of them seem to have read the whole thing. I believe that it is worth investing that time.

As of the writing this post, in the last 48 hours, this link has been hit 18 million times, and translated into 13 languages. The math seems straightfoward to many.

However, please note that I am neither a mathematician nor a doctor. And I remain open to other suggested readings.

https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-act-today-or-people-will-die-f4d3d9cd99ca

[Vadim Tsypin]

Thank you Vlad, Christina and Aris for providing leadership and communicating clearly in these challenging times!

[Vadim Tsypin]

Coronavirus Announcement (https://www.fide.com/news/443)by FIDE Qualification Commission

"It is not the responsibility of FIDE to cancel FIDE-rated tournaments in any given Federation. Each Federation may take their own decisions in accordance with their own constitution and statutes regarding FIDE-rated chess within their Federation."

"A number of tournaments have been cancelled by the local or national government while they were in progress [...] For the avoidance of doubt, rating files with fewer than the registered number of rounds will be permitted for FIDE rating."

[Aris Marghetis]

Given the COVID-19 situation, I've been informed by Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington Public Health to cancel this event at this time.


It's tough to find words to make up for the loss of what was shaping up to be a superb chesscation! Thanks to everyone being so supportive.


Of course all payments will be fully refunded. If by e-transfer, please confirm to me by email, the specific email address for me to e-transfer to.


Please appreciate that I have to refund about $30K, with a $3K daily limit, so this might take up to the end of this month to refund everyone.


Thank you, best regards, Aris Marghetis, Organizer, Kingston Easter Chess (KEC).

[Vladimir Drkulec]

I have started moving my students to online classes only. Last Friday was our last Windsor Friday face to face class until this pandemic passes. We should be able to continue classes online. There are no confirmed cases of the COVID-19 corona virus in Windsor yet but better safe than sorry. We are all in this together. Lets stop this from killing any more people than it already has.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

At this point most chess tournaments in March, April and May aside from smaller events should have been cancelled. Officials in the U.S. are calling for bans on all events of more than 10 or 25. In Ontario, I believe the number is 50. Tim Hortons is closing its dining rooms and only allowing takeout and drive through orders. As of today, there are no reported cases locally in Windsor but someone just died in Ontario. A key worry is when everyone starts returning from spring break.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Please note that the CCA has postponed (https://fideamerica.com/index.php/confederation-of-chess-for-americas-cca/fide/12924-cca-s-approach-to-novel-coronavirus-covid-19)the continental events scheduled through May 30.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Requests from the organizers (https://www.znak.com/2020-03-19/vlasti_hmao_otkazyvayutsya_ot_provedeniya_letom_sh ahmatnoy_paralimpiady_i_kongressa_fide) regarding both components of the 2020 Olympiad, Khanty-Mansiysk and Moscow, were sent to FIDE. An announcement will be made in due time.

[Vadim Tsypin]

FIDE announcement will follow today's IOC announcement (https://www.olympic.org/news/joint-statement-from-the-international-olympic-committee-and-the-tokyo-2020-organising-committee).

[Vadim Tsypin]

Statement from the FIDE Council regarding the Chess Olympiad

24-3-2020


Dear members of the chess community,

As you know, the Chess Olympiad is the most popular FIDE event, attended by thousands of people, including players, coaches, officials, and spectators. The mission of Chess Olympiads is not only to determine the sportive results, but also to popularize our game and unite chess lovers around the world in this truly global sports festival.

At the same time, FIDE is deeply concerned about the growing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on people's lives. Taking into account the reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicating the constant increase in the number of cases worldwide, and given today's IOC statement regarding the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, FIDE has decided to postpone the 44th Chess Olympiad (including the competition for players with disabilities) and the FIDE Congress.

These events, to be held in Moscow and Khanty-Mansiysk during the summer of 2020, are rescheduled to the summer of 2021 at the same locations. FIDE will continue to work hard in order to support various chess activities, at the same time caring first and foremost about the health and well-being of the entire chess community.

FIDE Council
March 24, 2020.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

It was the right decision.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Thursday, 26 Mar 2020 03:42
FIDE stops the Candidates Tournament

Today, the government of the Russian Federation announced that starting March 27, 2020, Russia interrupts air traffic with other countries without indicating any time frames.

FIDE can not continue the tournament without guarantees for the players' and officials' safe and timely return home. In this situation and on the basis of clause 1.5. Rules of Candidates Tournament, the FIDE President decided to stop the tournament. It will be continued later, with the exact dates to be announced as soon, as the global situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic will allow. As it was stipulated by the special rules agreed with the players before the start of the event, the results of the 7 rounds played remain valid, and the tournament will be resumed in the same composition starting with the games of the 8th round. FIDE is grateful to the players, officials, volunteers and the entire team of organizers, including the Chess Federation of Russia and the main partner of the tournament - SIMA-Land.

Sincerely,
Arkady Dvorkovich,
FIDE President

[Pierre Dénommée]

For those who are not IA, here is clause 1.5



1. 5. At any time, any circumstance or unforeseen situation not covered in these Regulations shall be referred to the FIDE President for final decision..

The FIDE President used this clause wisely.