Merseyside Chess Association: Newsletter No. 1 July 2020

• Print
• Email

Details

Published: Monday, 20 July 2020 17:03

Written by Martin Blasczyk

Merseyside Chess Association

Newsletter No. 1 July 2020

Message from the MCA Secretary

We are introducing this monthly newsletter as a way of keeping in touch with the MCA league clubs and their  members during these difficult times. All contributions welcome. As with most elements of day to day life,  normal chess community life has changed dramatically and the impacts of Coronovirus on the game are numerous. In this initial newsletter, we will  update you on the outcome of the committee’s decision with regards resolving the 2019-20 season and start the conversation on planning for a 2020-21 season, if that proves possible. I don’t need to tell you haw complex and uncertain future planning has become as a result of the virus’ impact on society so do bear with us as the conversation progresses!

In good news I know a few of the clubs have taken up internet chess in matches with each other and reports I’ve heard back have been that they’ve been good fun. Even I (technophobia is deffo one of my flaws!) have attempted a blitz match with Liverpool Chess Cub recently and whilst I was enormously rusty having not played properly for months, I can certainly see the appeal more now that I’ve tried it so would encourage others to do the same. It’s worth giving it a go if you can, even if you’re an over-the-board player at heart like me. It’s easier to connect in from a computer or mobile phone than I’d expected and it could help prevent you getting as rusty as I am! Do get in touch if your club is running internet chess matches and we can start to pool the relevant info to share with other clubs via this newsletter or other means.

I would very much like to gain more understanding of the different MCA clubs positions at the moment, in regards things such as likely levels of interest in internet chess; how your home venues are getting on in terms of re-opening plans and their position in relation to clubs attending; the general appetite and confidence levels of membership as it relates to playing in person next season subject to rules & regs etc. I will be in touch with club secretaries by phone by the end of this month to start these informal conversations. My email box is a pretty depressing place right now (!) so calls will likely work better than emails if that suits everyone. Also I would like to talk to some human beings that aren’t in my immediate circle please!

I hope that you and yours are weathering the storm and most importantly staying healthy. I very much look forward to a time when we will be able to be and play together again.
Sylvia

Message from the MCA President & Treasurer

2019-2020 Season

The majority opinion of the clubs which responded to our consultation on how to wrap up last years season is that the past season should be considered cancelled and no trophies awarded in all league and cup competitions.

We appreciate this is really hard for some, particularly those who were looking strong for winning their divisions. It was a difficult decision to take.

2020-2021 Season

We are not able to start the new season until we, and English Chess, determine how to play over the board chess in a manner that is covid safe, complies with government regulations and with which players feel confident. The ECF has published a statement here – https://www.englishchess.org.uk/chess-clubs-and-covid-19/ for your information.

From the date we agree it is possible to restart, we will need approximately 8 weeks to organise the league into divisions, prepare the fixtures and arrange a limited AGM.

Currently, the earliest date we can envisage making the decision to restart is 1st September, 2020 which would mean a likely league start date of about 1st November. This date is, of course, speculative and could be delayed.

At this stage it is difficult to foresee the make-up of the league for the coming season. We will possibly lose players, teams and even clubs from the previous season.

We ask clubs to begin assessment of how many teams they are likely to enter next season so that when a decision is made to restart we receive entries quickly and speed up the start date.

If clubs feel that any of their teams should be promoted on the basis of last season’s performance, please let the secretary know in writing.

We welcome input into how the decision to restart will be made.

Internet Chess

In the meantime, we are looking to start an internet chess league. In order to start this league as soon as possible please consider your club’s position and likely entry.

Trophies

The treasurer will be happy to collect trophies to ensure we keep tracks of their whereabouts for next year. Please could clubs contact the treasurer direct to arrange.

Dave & Leon

Merseyside League and Cup competitions 2019/2020

• Print
• Email

Details

Published: Saturday, 25 April 2020 20:36

Written by Dave Pearcey

Merseyside League and Cup competitions 2019-2020

• Due to the ongoing coronavirus situation we have had to take the decision that the 2019-2020 league season is now ended.
• In the circumstances no attempt will be made to complete the fixtures.
• The AGM planned for May will not now be held. It may be rearranged at a later date if need and circumstances allow.

Over the next few weeks the committee will need to decide how best to finalise the 2019-2020 season:

• Will any trophies be presented and, if so, on what basis - the league positions as of 19th March, 2020 or by some other means or not at all?
• The promotion of teams who were clearly better than the divisions that they were in will be managed regardless of any decision on trophies.

Preparations for next Season 2020/21:

• We will then need to receive entries for next season which we would hope to start in September 2020.
• The continued closure of pubs and clubs may prevent this.
• Another major issue may be the availability/willingness, particularly of our older members, to play over the board(OTB) chess in the near future.
• If the number of players does fall we may want to consider, at least temporarily, reducing the numbers of boards in some divisions and/or relaxing the eligibility rules.
• We may also wish to set up a separate internet based league to satisfy those unable to play OTB chess.

The Committee welcomes your club's views on the above and if people feel a committee meeting over remote video conferencing platform would be useful, do let me know.

Regards,

Dave

MCA Clubs@Lichess.org

• Print
• Email

Details

Published: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 09:52

Written by Martin Blasczyk

List of MCA Clubs @ Lichess.org

Aigburth Chess Club: https://lichess.org/team/aigburth-chess-club

Atticus: https://lichess.org/team/atticus

Formby Chess Club: https://lichess.org/team/formby-chess-club

Prescot & Knotty Ash Chess Club: https://lichess.org/team/prescot-and-knotty-ash-chess-club

Liverpool Chess club (current club members only): https://lichess.org/team/liverpool-chess-club

Liverpool Chess Club and friends: https://lichess.org/team/liverpool-chess-club-and-friends

Ormskirk Chess Club: https://lichess.org/team/ormskirk-chess-club

Southport Chess Club: https://lichess.org/team/southport-chess-club

Wallasey Chess Club: https://lichess.org/team/wallasey-chess-club

Waterloo https://lichess.org/team/waterloo

Please inform me about your Lichess-team. I will publish this link. This enables us to play fixtures (after the MCA Committee has agreed) and matches against each other.