OVER-THE-BOARD chess is already making a tentative comeback in places as diverse as Switzerland and Australia.
But it will likely be many weeks before the same can be said in Britain, and there is zero chance of seeing a 2020 British championships, Scottish championships or 'Paignton'.
But OTB chess will surely return sometime, and this is what I expect to see when it does.
1) Sharper Openings
The long lay-off has given players a chance to prepare openings they may have been tempted by but never had enough time to properly study. Expect more King's Gambits, Morra Gambits and Botvinnik Semi-Slavs, and I would not be surprised to see renewed interest at club level in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. But also look out for more mainline variations in place of sidelines in the Open Sicilian, Ruy Lopez and Nimzo-Indian.
2) More Mistakes
The long lay-off will have left many players rusty. Positional understanding should not be badly affected but tactical skills may need rehoning. Some players may also have got into bad habits from playing too much blitz online.
3) Out With The Old ... In With The New
Quite a few older players, especially those with underlying health conditions, may be reluctant to return to OTB chess until they are reassured the risk from Covid-19 is negligible. Conversely chess may get new players attracted to give it a try after turning to the game in desperation during lockdown.
4) Better Playing Conditions
Some events, for example 4NCL congresses, are well-known for comfortable playing conditions, while others cram people in like sardines. With one-metre social distancing likely to remain the norm for many months from tomorrow, you can expect chess tournaments and leagues to mostly follow such a rule.
5) Higher Entry Fees And (Even) Lower Prize Money
Many traditional locations will have lower seating capacities. Others will charge more to cover the cost of disinfecting. Numbers of entrants are likely to be down anyway at first thanks to a mix of nervousness by would-be players and pressure put on them by worried loved ones. In the worlds of aviation and holiday accommodation, prices are likely to fall to reflect decreased demand, but in chess I would not be surprised to see organisers putting prices up, which may in turn further dampen attendance.
6) Fewer Foreign Players
Every country has had brave medics working on the front line in the coronavirus crisis but Britain may be unique in having a health service that cleared hospital beds by sending elderly patients back to care homes without testing whether they were infected. This helped make Britain one of the worst-affected developed countries, a fact that has been widely noted abroad. Other factors include low health levels - UK obesity rates are closer than many European countries to US rates - and high population densities. It may also be that Britain has been more scrupulous. or at least more thorough, in recording coronavirus-related deaths. But whatever the causes of the UK's poor showing numbers-wise in the crisis, it will surely have an affect on visitor numbers.
7) Fewer British Players Willing To Travel Long Distances
Restrictions on travel within the UK, including mandatory reservations on some train services and compulsory face coverings on others, will discourage people from making long journeys, meaning tournaments may become increasingly localised. However this my be offset to some extent by people opting to play within Britain rather than venturing overseas.
8) Schools Out
Tournaments traditionally held in schools and other semi-public places such as day centres will find many such venues are no longer for hire. This could spell the end for quite a few long-standing events. But clubs wanting to hold matches in pubs may find more publicans ready to welcome them, which could even lead to a drop in hiring charges.
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