5.2 - Discussion Items - National Events

[Lyle Craver]

This thread is intended for discussion events. Several events have been cancelled in 2020 and there are important policy implications to be discussed.

[Aris Marghetis]

I get that this might seem premature, but I think we need to plan the dates of our next quarterly meeting.

The timing of that will impact when we decide about the 2021 Canadian Closed, and of course any Zonal(s).

[Vladimir Drkulec]

I get that this might seem premature, but I think we need to plan the dates of our next quarterly meeting.

The timing of that will impact when we decide about the 2021 Canadian Closed, and of course any Zonal(s).

I doubt that we will be in a position to run a zonal at Easter based on what the doctors are saying. That could change if they are able scale up the number of projected vaccinations.

We could have a meeting in March or April or even May. I am open to suggestions of what people would like to see.

[Aris Marghetis]

I doubt that we will be in a position to run a zonal at Easter based on what the doctors are saying. That could change if they are able scale up the number of projected vaccinations.

We could have a meeting in March or April or even May. I am open to suggestions of what people would like to see.

I agree with what you are saying. What I am suggesting is deferring our next round of decisions to a certain date. Of course, as we approach that date, we could decide to defer again. I just don't see much value in making decisions now, given all the unknowns. I propose after the Victoria Day long weekend. Anyone else?

[Vladimir Drkulec]

I agree with what you are saying. What I am suggesting is deferring our next round of decisions to a certain date. Of course, as we approach that date, we could decide to defer again. I just don't see much value in making decisions now, given all the unknowns. I propose after the Victoria Day long weekend. Anyone else?

That would be May 30th - June 6th.

AGM is tentatively scheduled for August 22nd - 29th.

If we agreed on that schedule we might reserve the option of an additional meeting if required. If our finances deteriorated for example that would be a good reason to hold an additional meeting.

[Aris Marghetis]

That would be May 30th - June 6th.

AGM is tentatively scheduled for August 22nd - 29th.

If we agreed on that schedule we might reserve the option of an additional meeting if required. If our finances deteriorated for example that would be a good reason to hold an additional meeting.

Agreed. Another reason to add an earlier meeting would be if there was somehow a miraculous improvement in the health care situation, earlier than expected.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Bob Gillanders just copied me an email from CBC sports where they indicated an interest in streaming either the Canadian Open, Canadian Closed or both if they should happen this year.

[Pierre Dénommée]

Bob Gillanders just copied me an email from CBC sports where they indicated an interest in streaming either the Canadian Open, Canadian Closed or both if they should happen this year.

That would give us a good visibility.

[Aris Marghetis]

Bob Gillanders just copied me an email from CBC sports where they indicated an interest in streaming either the Canadian Open, Canadian Closed or both if they should happen this year.

Oh. My. Goodness.

Please do CC me!

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Bob Gillanders just copied me an email from CBC sports where they indicated an interest in streaming either the Canadian Open, Canadian Closed or both if they should happen this year.

Yeah, two weeks are left of this year :)

[Fred McKim]

Bob Gillanders just copied me an email from CBC sports where they indicated an interest in streaming either the Canadian Open, Canadian Closed or both if they should happen this year.

To do these properly we would need a commentary team.

[Vadim Tsypin]

To do these properly we would need a commentary team.

Canadian GM Anna Burtasova is a long-time broadcast producer and former official of ChessCast, a company that specializes in live video broadcasts from major chess tournaments. ChessCast was designated by FIDE as official broadcaster of several Olympiads, World Cup, Grand Prix, Candidates events, as well as various World Championships.

Anna would be a perfect person to assemble and lead the team.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Canadian GM Anna Burtasova is a long-time broadcast producer and former official of ChessCast, a company that specializes in live video broadcasts from major chess tournaments. ChessCast was designated by FIDE as official broadcaster of several Olympiads, World Cup, Grand Prix, Candidates events, as well as various World Championships.

Anna would be a perfect person to assemble and lead the team.

I think Anna would want to be playing as it would be a women's zonal and she is very interested in playing on the Olympiad team though she may be in the mix because of her rating.

[Pierre Dénommée]

I think Anna would want to be playing as it would be a women's zonal and she is very interested in playing on the Olympiad team though she may be in the mix because of her rating.

Are we seriously contemplating a Women Zonal before the end of the year?

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Are we seriously contemplating a Women Zonal before the end of the year?

Before the end of the year would be too soon. I was talking about Aris's Zonal/Canadian Closed at Easter 2021. We could potentially do something online but I would guess once again we would be looking around Easter.

[Pierre Dénommée]

Before the end of the year would be too soon. I was talking about Aris's Zonal/Canadian Closed at Easter 2021. We could potentially do something online but I would guess once again we would be looking around Easter.

It's nice, provided that FIDE does not demand the name of the Canadian player before that. The World Cup date was April 2021 Belarus, but this will likely not happen because of the political situation in this country. Easter is Sunday April 4th 2021, which could be too close to the World Cup. We need the FIDE deadline as soon as possible in order to plan accordingly. Even an online tournament requires proper organization. If all the players are from a few locations, an hybrid tournament could be organized.

[Vadim Tsypin]

The date World Cup date was April 2021 Belarus, but this will likely not happen because of the political situation in this country.

The 2021 World Cup and Women's World Cup are scheduled to be held in Russia in summer 2021.

[Aris Marghetis]

The 2021 World Cup and Women's World Cup are scheduled to be held in Russia in summer 2021.

Thank you Vadim. And of course, please keep us posted. We might have to consider some kind of heavily Arbiter-ed hybrid model to select our representatives.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Thank you Vadim. And of course, please keep us posted. We might have to consider some kind of heavily Arbiter-ed hybrid model to select our representatives.

Gladly repeating my comment from another thread. :o

I wholeheartedly support this idea for the upcoming Zonal.

The FIDE Online Chess Regulations received a preliminary approval from the Council. Then the General Assembly adopted an amendment that gives the Council the authority to "approve [...] make periodic changes, amendments and additions". Thus, the first version of the FIDE Online Chess Regulations, which is a result of a huge effort by the cross-Commission Task Force, will be come into effect soon. Part IIIb is called "Regulations for Hybrid Chess Competitions". A tournament that abides by its requirements would be allowed to serve as an official FIDE qualification event.

Some zones have already requested a permission to hold their 2021 in a hybrid format. After a fruitful discussion that we all are having here at the meeting, it would be your call as an organizer to decide on the format. FIDE would support a hybrid choice, provided all guidelines are followed.

[Aris Marghetis]

Gladly repeating my comment from another thread. :o

I wholeheartedly support this idea for the upcoming Zonal.

The FIDE Online Chess Regulations received a preliminary approval from the Council. Then the General Assembly adopted an amendment that gives the Council the authority to "approve [...] make periodic changes, amendments and additions". Thus, the first version of the FIDE Online Chess Regulations, which is a result of a huge effort by the cross-Commission Task Force, will be come into effect soon. Part IIIb is called "Regulations for Hybrid Chess Competitions". A tournament that abides by its requirements would be allowed to serve as an official FIDE qualification event.

Some zones have already requested a permission to hold their 2021 in a hybrid format. After a fruitful discussion that we all are having here at the meeting, it would be your call as an organizer to decide on the format. FIDE would support a hybrid choice, provided all guidelines are followed.

Yes, also cross-posting my reply (and this seems like the more appropriate thread):

Thanks, let's keep talking.

I've already taken the "liberty" of contacting three online platforms, explaining the situation, asking what they can offer us, subject to meeting FIDE regulations.

[Pierre Dénommée]

The 2021 World Cup and Women's World Cup are scheduled to be held in Russia in summer 2021.

Thank you Vadim! The Women's Coordinator is very glad to know that. That will give us more time to select our second player.

[Anna Burtasova]

Canadian GM Anna Burtasova is a long-time broadcast producer and former official of ChessCast, a company that specializes in live video broadcasts from major chess tournaments. ChessCast was designated by FIDE as official broadcaster of several Olympiads, World Cup, Grand Prix, Candidates events, as well as various World Championships.

Anna would be a perfect person to assemble and lead the team.

Vadim is right, I have a lot of experience in organizing high-level chess broadcasts and I am happy to help with my expertise. Good commentators and production is by no means cheap, though.

[Anna Burtasova]

I think Anna would want to be playing as it would be a women's zonal and she is very interested in playing on the Olympiad team though she may be in the mix because of her rating.

Yes, I hope to play. This year has me craving for good old over-the-board chess!

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Vadim is right, I have a lot of experience in organizing high-level chess broadcasts and I am happy to help with my expertise. Good commentators and production is by no means cheap, though.

Perhaps the National Broadcaster would be willing to pay.

Funny today we are talking to two of the major Canadian broadcasters about chess stories. I think this makes about six media contacts in the last month with many stories appearing that did not even involve contact with the CFC. I think the pandemic has really stretched the media to consider chess as a worthy topic for discussion. It probably helps that all other sports are largely shut down or greatly reduced.

[Fred McKim]

Vadim is right, I have a lot of experience in organizing high-level chess broadcasts and I am happy to help with my expertise. Good commentators and production is by no means cheap, though.

The type of commentary that I think would be required here would be at a level that a novice player could follow.

[Anna Burtasova]

Absolutely. But ideally still done by GMs because the title builds trust in the viewers' eyes. One great example is what Norwegian TV is doing covering chess for the general audience. The latest Magnus' event, Skilling open, had a broadcast just like that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olbwt3af-o0&feature=emb_logo

[Aris Marghetis]

Absolutely. But ideally still done by GMs because the title builds trust in the viewers' eyes. One great example is what Norwegian TV is doing covering chess for the general audience. The latest Magnus' event, Skilling open, had a broadcast just like that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olbwt3af-o0&feature=emb_logo

Thank you Anna for continuing to provide your input!

I think it's imperative we listen to people like Anna who have done this, observed this, etc. more than most of us have in Canada. From my viewpoint, in the case where there WILL be an OTB World Cup, but we need to consider online determination of the Canadian representative(s), I've been proposing to Vlad and Hal that we meet with the top players to AGREE on structure, and especially Fair Play measures. Perhaps that and the CBC coverage could reach a welcome convergence. For example, exactly WHAT to stream at any given moment would be enriched by multiple concurrent games with double camera angles and shared screens, etc.

P.S. I'm now contacting three online platforms with questions of what features I would like as Organizer/Arbiter of such an event. Let's keep talking about this!

[Pierre Dénommée]

I've been proposing to Vlad and Hal that we meet with the top players to AGREE on structure, and especially Fair Play measures.

Please keep me in the loop of the situation on the Women side. If the players agree on something and FIDE allows it (Zonals are level 1 tournaments with enhanced anti-cheating protection), then I fully support this.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

For example, exactly WHAT to stream at any given moment would be enriched by multiple concurrent games with double camera angles and shared screens, etc.

With a longer time control, more chances that some players will need to leave a room for one or other reason.

[Pierre Dénommée]

With a longer time control, more chances that some players will need to leave a room for one or other reason.

That is irrelevant for Hybrid Chess because there will always be at least two arbiters per site. Players leaving the room could be escorted by an arbiter, as long as they do not leave together.

[Aris Marghetis]

With a longer time control, more chances that some players will need to leave a room for one or other reason.

Yes, we'll need to settle on something that everyone is comfortable with. I understand the allure of the idea of hybrid, but in my judgement, if the pandemic is bad enough that we can't have OTB, then it's bad enough that we can't have hybrid. I'm mentioning this so that we can start preparing ourselves mentally for online.

[Pierre Dénommée]

Yes, we'll need to settle on something that everyone is comfortable with. I understand the allure of the idea of hybrid, but in my judgement, if the pandemic is bad enough that we can't have OTB, then it's bad enough that we can't have hybrid. I'm mentioning this so that we can start preparing ourselves mentally for online.

In a red zone, you are right. But, at least in Quebec, a zone could be orange or yellow which could allow a limited number of persons on a single site. As long as it is as red as it is now, all in person competitions are suspended https://fqechecs.qc.ca/.

[Hal Bond]

Thank you Vadim! The Women's Coordinator is very glad to know that. That will give us more time to select our second player.

I mentioned these knockout events in my report as well. We need to know the deadline for our Zonal Representatives. Vadim, should I contact Emil or do you know?

[Vladimir Drkulec]

We really need for an effective vaccination program to be widely disseminated before we can talk about an in-person event.

[Vadim Tsypin]

We need to know the deadline for our Zonal Representatives. Vadim, should I contact Emil or do you know?
The official decision hasn't been taken yet, the matter is supposed to be discussed by the FIDE Council before year end.

A *strictly unofficial, ballpark* date that can still change both ways is May 15.

[Aris Marghetis]

We really need for an effective vaccination program to be widely disseminated before we can talk about an in-person event.

I agree.

In addition, I cringe to mention this, but it seems we should also think about another scenario, where anti-vax-ness lands us in a situation where, ironically, while many people are vaccinated, many others are still getting diseased. In that scenario, we might be organizing OTB events with some kind of vaccine "passports".

[Vladimir Drkulec]

I agree.

In addition, I cringe to mention this, but it seems we should also think about another scenario, where anti-vax-ness lands us in a situation where, ironically, while many people are vaccinated, many others are still getting diseased. In that scenario, we might be organizing OTB events with some kind of vaccine "passports".

There is a surprising amount of anti-vax sentiment. I am getting my vaccination as soon as I can. I volunteer to be a guinea pig. It may be useless due to a future mutation of COVID but at least it will prevent transmission of the currently prevalent strain. We really need to get back to normal.