Isn’t it time that TDs were given some advice about coronavirus?
FIDE seems to be discouraging handshakes before and after games.
What should American players do?
Handshakes are not just etiquette. They are the way many players signify they resign or accept a draw offer.
And what about pieces? Both players will have touched any piece that is captured.
If you are suggesting giving advice to TDs so they can pass it on to the players, that’s reasonable. Personally, I’d be likely as a player to inform my opponent before the game that I am avoiding handshakes for that reason. That way they’ll know I’m not being rude.
Wash your hands frequently. Don’t touch your face.
Same as any other players…
Wash your hand after each capture?
US Chess sent out the following this afternoon:
"From the US Chess Executive Board:
The EB authorizes a temporary change in the US Chess Grand Prix (GP) rules for the period March 4, 2020 through May 31, 2020 out of concern for the unforeseeable impacts the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) could have on participation in GP events. The change allows organizers with Guaranteed prize funds to change the status of their prize fund without first seeking US Chess permission to make the change. More specifically, organizers who have announced “$XXX in Guaranteed prizes” (or similar words) for their GP events shall be allowed to re-state their prize funds in their publicity as “$XXX in Projected prizes based on ### players,” where ### represents the number of players in last year’s event roundest to the nearest 5 players. For new GP events lacking historical attendance data, the organizer shall specify a ‘based on’ number of players as part of the Projected Prize Fund language in their publicity. This decision includes all GP tournaments that already have been advertised in Chess Life. For any GP events being publicly advertised (whether by TLA, another website, flyers, emails, social media, etc.), organizers shall take all necessary steps to ensure their revised pre-tournament announcements call attention to this change in prize fund status and provide the appropriate “Projected based on XXX players” in the language of their updated publicity. US Chess asks that the chess community support this temporary change in the spirit that it is intended. The Executive Board shall revisit this matter as necessary."
– Hal Terrie
Fixed that for you in italics.
In all seriousness, if one feels like s/he must alter playing procedures in order to remain safe, one probably ought to take a break from over-the-board chess.
Will Grand Prix points be recomputed?
Boo hiss.
Continental Chess Association has been looking at this.
I will be directing this weekend (CCA event). I will be announcing that handshakes should be avoided. CCA will also have hand sanitizer on hand.
I will be directing a major scholastic event next week. For that event, CCA posted the following:
UPDATE REGARDING CORONAVIRUS:
While the threat posed by this virus seems far more serious for the future than the present, we will be taking some precautions, including:
Players will be told to not shake hands before or after play.
Players will be asked to bring and use hand sanitizer and extra sanitizer will be available.
Players who appear to be ill may be removed from the tournament.
CCA has also recently changed all the guaranteed prize funds to based on. The prize fund will be the same, so long as the attendance is roughly the same as last year. Grand Prix points are effected as the new prize fund is only 50% guaranteed.
The chess community is quite large. We have members of our various boards who have some expertise in this area such as physicians and even CDC employees. We have solicited and followed advice from the relevant authorities.
As has been noted, this virus is highly contagious. However, for healthy people, the risk is quite low. Obviously, individuals with compromised immune systems should take greater care. Also obvious is that if you are sick, it would be a good idea to sit that particular tournament out.
The advice we continue to receive is that practicing good hygiene will go a long way to reduce the risk and that the risk is still relatively low for those who are otherwise healthy.
David Hater
Thanks to the temporary change by US Chess, the Grand Prix points are not affected with a reasonable based on.
Edit:
Although re-reading the temporary change statement, that might not be the case. That was my initial take on it, but it doesn’t actually state that. It appears to only say you can “change the status of the prize fund”. Seems almost pointless if it also reduces the grand prix points. Of course, risk of losing money on an event is much worse.
Also, the virus appears to be less contagious than flu, albeit greater illness, particularly for older patients.
Maintain a 6-foot radius.
Use desanitizing wipes on tabletops.
The next is a big one I’ve heard several doctors suggest: place additional garbage cans outside restrooms. Tell players that when they exit a restroom after washing their hands to operate the doors by using a paper towel to open the door, and then throw the towel away outside the restroom. This avoids everyone touching the door.
Use tissue when opening doors or pushing elevator buttons.
Seeing how broader events have developed in recent days, I retract this sentiment.