More On OTB Returning

HAVE just received this from Tony Corfe at Castle Chess:

We hope that you may be looking forward to being with us as soon as we are up and running again. Please look below for details. We are planning for a pandemic tournament and have approached it as such, but if we are fortunate then we may be able to play under normal conditions.
Watch this space.
The Lysses House Hotel has agreed conditions with Castle Chess and so we will attempt to run the Congress at Fareham :
25th – 27th September 2020 12th – 14th March 2021
Now looking at the weekend 1st – 3rd October 2021
We had 24 positive responses to a previous Newsletter from players to say that they would like to play over-the-board chess as soon as Castle Chess can organise it. We have reserved space in the hotel, if you asked for it, and have worked out what a reduced capacity for the tournament will be.
It is unclear whether strict Covid rules will be in place. If this is true, but a number limited event is allowed to run, then the entry fee will need to be increased to allow the event to avoid a loss. This was the plan for last September, which had sufficient entries until we had to cancel at the last minute.
We would ask players to let us know about interest and to pay a deposit of £10. This will be entirely refundable if the event is cancelled.
As there is only one event this year the 50p towards the grand prix will be used for running the event.
IF COVID restrictions still apply
We hope to run three sections, but we may need to reduce this to two sections if the event has restricted numbers.
We will need to increase the entry fee by £10 to cover costs.
The hotel has a wide range of safety measures in place, especially cleaning. These will include the necessity of having to purchase drinks at the bar rather than the self service Castle Chess normally supplies.
Each player will be required to bring their own chess set and each player will make moves on their own board, just as you would if you are playing against a blind player.
Note: Castle Chess can sell you a new tournament set and board for £15 if ordered in advance and / or a face visor, if you prefer for £2.50.
Social distancing will apply in the tournament room and any analysis areas.
We will notify the ECF that the event will be happening and we will use the latest grading list available to us for the purposes of pairing.
This is the only event in the calendar for Castle Chess at present. Future Castle Chess Events for 2022 will be notified via the next Newsletter.
SPONSORS:
Thank you, as always to the players who have offered to sponsor Castle Chess Events. Without them the events would not be able to survive. They have asked to remain anonymous.