Canadian Open 2020: some ideas to make it happen!

[Ken Green]

It is possible to do the Canadian Open and CYCC online. However, we need to figure out a way to deal with potential cheating. If you have ideas based on what is happening on the world stage, please let us know. We will be happy to explore.

For now, we want to first experiment with organizing a few rapid and classical tournament so we can get some experience doing this. I'm now looking at what other Federations and organizations around the world are doing so we can learn from them. If you have ideas or suggestions, please let me know. Shoot me an email to ken@elevatemychess.com

[Serge Archambault]

Again, not saying we should do that but recently (as of May 23rd), sports in Iceland for U16 was re-allowed back without any restriction. So chess tournaments for kids are up and running as if nothing ever happened !!

[Frank Dixon]

If 8-foot folding tables could be used for games, with one game per table, with the players sitting at diagonal ends, and the board and clock in the middle, that would cover the 2-metre separation between people. Players would move to the centre of the table to make their moves, and press the clock. A longer time control could make up for the increased time and awkwardness of the situation. This scenario requires more space for the event site, since normally two games would be located at each 8-foot table. Just some ideas!

Note that Ontario Premier Doug Ford has just announced that his government is considering regional re-openings on a differential scale, across the province. He reacted angrily to a letter from Kingston's mayor a few weeks ago, suggesting this very concept. But the reality is that many regions of Ontario are virtually free of active cases, while metro Toronto and other larger cities are still burdened with thousands of active cases.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

What about the garden size chess sets -- add more weight to them and whop -- the Olympic sport :)
There will be time to clean your hands, the opponent is far away.

[Aris Marghetis]

To my mind you are absolutely right John. I cannot see how it would be a pleasant experience to be wearing a mask and gloves for +/- 4 hours for each game, . Being arm's length away from others, coughing, sneezing, shared bathrooms (try to imagine the logistics!). Chess tournaments with hundreds of participants are a prime breeding ground for transmission of this virus. Can't see how I would be able to concentrate and enjoy the game. It is just not worth the trouble and the health risk. Let's also not forget that many of our brethren are in, or near, the high risk age category (60+). As much as I love the game, I would pass on any events until we get this thing seriously under control. As John said "stay safe".

good post Evan

[Evan Frangakis]

If you are going to have players with masks and Gloves. It will be trouble. I don't know how many of you have to wear a mask for long periods of time but I can tell you long periods of time wearing one they get hot they get itchy and gloves can get sweaty. They would not be ideal for long chess games OTB. also they get touched far more when you wear them long times. they would be nightmares for juniors. And frankly they are hard to breathe through for prolonged times. You cannot just lift them up to drink beverages because they have to be readjusted. I think it would be a epidemic in the making. I'm still on the front lines in the grocery store. If you need water drink tap water. Just don't come out for one item. You are very foolish. That one stupid trip could cost you your life. Stay Safe.

To my mind you are absolutely right John. I cannot see how it would be a pleasant experience to be wearing a mask and gloves for +/- 4 hours for each game, . Being arm's length away from others, coughing, sneezing, shared bathrooms (try to imagine the logistics!). Chess tournaments with hundreds of participants are a prime breeding ground for transmission of this virus. Can't see how I would be able to concentrate and enjoy the game. It is just not worth the trouble and the health risk. Let's also not forget that many of our brethren are in, or near, the high risk age category (60+). As much as I love the game, I would pass on any events until we get this thing seriously under control. As John said "stay safe".

[John Upper]

If you are going to have players with masks and Gloves. It will be trouble..

there might even be problems with using shared bathrooms

[Vlad Drkulec]

Gloves are pretty useless as you can still touch your face with a glove and that is the engine of transmission.

[Aris Marghetis]

If you are going to have players with masks and Gloves. It will be trouble. I don't know how many of you have to wear a mask for long periods of time but I can tell you long periods of time wearing one they get hot they get itchy and gloves can get sweaty. They would not be ideal for long chess games OTB. also they get touched far more when you wear them long times. they would be nightmares for juniors. And frankly they are hard to breathe through for prolonged times. You cannot just lift them up to drink beverages because they have to be readjusted. I think it would be a epidemic in the making. I'm still on the front lines in the grocery store. If you need water drink tap water. Just don't come out for one item. You are very foolish. That one stupid trip could cost you your life. Stay Safe.

good post John

[Vlad Drkulec]

I find that the regular masks are manageable for significant periods of time. The 95% efficient ones don't allow enough air circulation and are hard to wear for extended periods. Masks are not really effective in protecting you but are effective in protecting everyone from you by preventing open sneezes.

[John Brown]

If you are going to have players with masks and Gloves. It will be trouble. I don't know how many of you have to wear a mask for long periods of time but I can tell you long periods of time wearing one they get hot they get itchy and gloves can get sweaty. They would not be ideal for long chess games OTB. also they get touched far more when you wear them long times. they would be nightmares for juniors. And frankly they are hard to breathe through for prolonged times. You cannot just lift them up to drink beverages because they have to be readjusted. I think it would be a epidemic in the making. I'm still on the front lines in the grocery store. If you need water drink tap water. Just don't come out for one item. You are very foolish. That one stupid trip could cost you your life. Stay Safe.

[Serge Archambault]

The only way we could hold it online would be as an active rated event. As others have pointed out online cheating is a serious issue.

Rohan Talukdar just played in an online tournament in Spain or Europe and related to me that there was a 1900 player in the open event who thrashed a 2600 player and was promptly bounced for cheating.

Not saying the Canadian Open should be part of it but the FQE just announced they were creating 2 new "online ratings" (slow time control + rapid). I like the idea.

[Fred McKim]

At present the CFC has agreed to have online events rated as CFC Quick (Active) Chess Rated. I have organized two so far, and another was "held in Brantford" on Saturday. Right now I think we are a long way from allowing an event like the Canadian Open being held over the Internet -- we would need to have several trial events ahead of time. The longer the time control, the easier cheating becomes. Would we require players to use Skype / Zoom to see what their opponent is doing -- what would we do though for a bathroom break or for a stroll around the playing room, etc. Personally I don't think we can ever offer "large" prize funds in open online events.

[Vlad Drkulec]

Could the Canadian Open not be played online? I recently participated in the Sunway Sitges online tournament hosted on chess.com at classical time controls. I thought it was a success. You'd think that such a geographically large country like Canada might lead the way in getting participation from sea to sea to sea by holding its national Open online?

The only way we could hold it online would be as an active rated event. As others have pointed out online cheating is a serious issue.

Rohan Talukdar just played in an online tournament in Spain or Europe and related to me that there was a 1900 player in the open event who thrashed a 2600 player and was promptly bounced for cheating.

[Vlad Drkulec]

Hi Vlad,

What is the expected date for announcing if the CYCC will go ahead? Does it need to be a single decision with Canadian Open?

That is currently in the hands of the organizer and local authorities. I would expect that the progress of the pandemic in Canada and within Mississauga will have the most bearing on whether the tournament takes place this year or not. There are provinces who seem to require a 14 day lockdown for travel from other parts of Canada.

https://www.insauga.com/mississauga-...p-until-july-3

https://paramountfinefoodscentre.com/update-covid-19/

My own feeling is that it will be cancelled or postponed based on the data and progress so far. Currently municipal buildings are closed in Peel/Mississauga.

https://www.peelregion.ca/coronaviru...d-services.asp