London Chess League bosses have said matches will continue as usual this week – despite English Chess Federation’s suggestion that evening competitions should cease due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a notice to clubs, the league committee said: “The London Chess League currently is aiming to continue League Nights as usual, unless forces outside of our control (Government, Citadines, or otherwise) force us to stop meeting.
“We recognise this might change as quickly as the next few days; we’ll be in touch promptly if and when this changes.
“Should the League be halted for any reason, our aim will be to recommence competitions later in the year, perhaps in September, and if necessary, pushing back the start of the 2020/2021 season.”
Last Wednesday was the quietest night since the league has held matches at the Citadines Hotel in Holborn with only 43 players attending.
Over the weekend the Surrey Chess League announced it is halting matches, while the London Public Service Chess League is consulting clubs on whether to suspend the season and is expected to decide today.
Also over the weekend, the ECF issued a statement that stopped short of calling for all over the board matches to cease, but gave a “suggestion” that evening leagues should be suspended.
It said: “The ECF has been considering the operation of evening league chess during the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
“It is for individual leagues to decide on their own policy and the ECF cannot make decisions for those organisations. Our suggestion is that play is suspended for a period.
“A sensible period to allow for the progress of the virus to be monitored and reviewed in line with developments in Government policy might be for the next three weeks, with the policy being reconsidered at the end of that period.”
The London League also issued this advice for players taking part in matches:
Rules and Notifications re: Match Nights
- If a player is suffering from a continuous cough, fever, or is exhibiting other flu symptoms, he/she must not play:
– Do not travel to your game.
– Notify your captain immediately so we can stop your opponent from travelling to the venue if there isn’t a full match. Captains, please make sure you have up-to-date contact details for all your players. - We recommend that players who feel at risk, not to play.
- To allow for late withdrawals in light of the above, penalty points for defaults are suspended for all teams until further notice. That said, we implore you to please remember to swiftly notify your opponents and team captains to avoid unnecessary travel and stress for others.
- Could all players please ensure they wash their hands shortly before the beginning of their game, as well as after using the facilities / other appropriate times. If you are in any scenario where you’re unsure whether washing your hands is appropriate, please do so to be cautious and considerate.
- Feel free to wish your opponent Good Luck verbally (and at the end of the game, wish them Thanks), but please avoid handshakes as a precaution.
- We are asking players to please bring your own provisions to the Citadines should you wish to take additional precautions (i.e. a pack of tissue paper, gloves, and/or a personal bottle of anti-bacterial gel should you want to). At the venue, we and the Citadines will make there is adequate soap in the facilities each week.
