The Management Board has for some time been considering how and when over the board activities may resume. We are consulting with and taking advice from the Welsh Sports Association, of which the WCU is a member. They in turn are continually in touch with the Welsh Government and their advice / legal requirements concerning the resumption of sports activity. For this purpose, chess falls within this heading.
Clearly, the resumption of OTB activity is some time off, but we feel it important that we have arrangements in place and are “ready to go” as soon as circumstances and legislation permit. We are already examining the recommendations and guidelines, both from the WG, the WSA and from FIDE. Of course, these are continually changing in the light of the current situation. However, there is one matter we must emphasise now – it is really important:
NO CLUB OR ZONE SHOULD COMMENCE OVER THE BOARD ACTIVITY WITHOUT THE EXPRESS APPROVAL OF THE WCU MANAGEMENT BOARD, WHO IN TURN MUST ENURE THAT ANY ACTIVITY IS IN LINE WITH WELSH GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS.
We have been in touch with our insurers, who have confirmed that any such event, undertaken contrary to Government requirements, will not be covered by the WCU All Risks policy. Any liabilities arising will be the personal responsibility of the organiser(s) of that event.
The WCU MB will undertake to keep abreast of WG requirements and keep you informed appropriately.
We have already contacted the ones as follows:
Prior to the eventual resumption of OTB chess, the MB will issue firm recommendations in accord with the above bodies’ advice and requirements. A review and discussion of those requirements is ongoing. In the meantime, it is important that each zone and club takes certain steps:
- Each zone must please appoint a Coronavirus Officer, who will coordinate the club arrangements of that zone and liaise with the WCU Coronavirus subcommittee.
- Each club must similarly appoint a Coronavirus Officer who will liaise with the Zone. It is possible that a club may appoint a different person for each match, but there should be just one person who will oversee them and liaise with the Zone. The club officer will be responsible for carrying out the precautionary recommendations at each event.
We do not envisage that there will be any personal responsibility or liability attached to these officers, nor do they need any medical knowledge or skill, but it will be necessary for each to participate in an online course (at a time convenient to them) being run by the Welsh Sports Association. The WCU will pay all course fees and arrange a group registration. To do this we will need, please, as soon as possible the names and email addresses of the club and zone coronavirus officers.
Please do not ignore this request. Without a suitable officer in place, OTB chess cannot resume whilst coronavirus rules or laws are continuing.
Paul Scott
Deputy Executive Director
