GM Jacob Aagaard is kindly hosting an online simul on Lichess on the 15th of April at 6pm

Time control for the players will be 30+10

If you are interested, please send your Lichess username to Andy by 13th April.

We are hoping to set up a series of these so keep an eye on announcements for future events.

Big thanks to Jacob for coming up with this idea!

Hello,

I have created an online chess club for children to help fight boredom during these strange times. Please feel free to share the message below. Thanks!

Dear Parents,

I have created a private online chess club for juniors in Scotland where they can play against one another whenever they like in our very own "Class". I will be running regular tournaments, sharing my favourite videos, creating some of my own videos and posting tasks for children to do. If there is enough interest, I will create matches between schools.

How? I will create your child a Lichess account. This is my favourite chess website and is free to play on. The username will be completely anonymous so children are protected. All children will have "kid" mode enabled and will not be able to disable it. This means there is no messaging and children are completely secure. 

Once you fill out the form you will receive an email from me ASAP with the username and password. 

I hope they enjoy playing on our Online Chess Club!

Feel free to share with anyone who has children that might be interested. Even if they do not know how to play, they can learn the basics here. 

As a child, I got bored very easily. When I found chess it changed my life and I learned to occupy myself. Chess has so many educational benefits and is the perfect way to improve problem solving abilities. 

To join the club please fill out this form. 

Best wishes,
Andrew Green
Candidate Master
Founder of Edinburgh Chess Academy (ECA)

Dear members of the chess community,

As you know, the Chess Olympiad is the most popular FIDE event, attended by thousands of people, including players, coaches, officials, and spectators. The mission of Chess Olympiads is not only to determine the sportive results, but also to popularize our game and unite chess lovers around the world in this truly global sports festival.

At the same time, FIDE is deeply concerned about the growing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on people's lives. Taking into account the reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicating the constant increase in the number of cases worldwide, and given today's IOC statement regarding the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, FIDE has decided to postpone the 44th Chess Olympiad (including the competition for players with disabilities) and the FIDE Congress.

These events, to be held in Moscow and Khanty-Mansiysk during the summer of 2020, are rescheduled to the summer of 2021 at the same locations. FIDE will continue to work hard in order to support various chess activities, at the same time caring first and foremost about the health and well-being of the entire chess community.

FIDE Council
March 24, 2020.

We’re hoping to set up a new 4NCL online chess league very soon (the next couple of weeks latest) – named, funnily enough, 4NCL Online.
4NCL Online will be based not only on existing 4NCL teams who are interested in participating, but also any new teams that wish to apply to join the league including existing OTB clubs across the four nations.

1.The format will be a (probably) regionally based group stage, after which the top teams from each group will qualify for a final stage.
2. Matches will be between teams of four players using (probably) a 45 mins/15 sec time control.
3. Matches will take place on weekday evenings at around (probably) fortnightly intervals.
4. The exact format will depend on numbers of teams entering.
5. There’s no entry fee, and (if funds permit) we’ll arrange some trophies for winning teams.
If you’re interested in entering a team/teams, could you please let Mike Truran know as soon as you can so that we can get an idea of likely interest? Any thoughts on formats or other arrangements would be very welcome.

Hi Folks the vast majority of teams this year did not send me any contact details so I can't get in touch to ensure they know SNCL is postponed. Yes I'm sure they have probably realised this but it is my job to make sure!!

Therefore would a representative of each team please write a short reply on this thread to let me know you are aware.

All I really need is  eg  Dunfermline Knights and Knaves are aware SNCL is cancelled

Thank you and keep safe

GG

For those looking for a Chess Fix, the candidates start today.  Games are being broadcast on multiple platforms but Chess24.com looks the most interesting with MC providing some of the commentary.

As well as myself out here, Alex McFarlane has been selected as one of the reserves for the Appeals Committee.  Fantastic to see two Scots involved with such a prestigious tournament.

We have 2 medicals a day to check for Covid-19 as well as a formal test on day 1 and 10.  I have just been told my results were clear (as has everyone so far).  Fingers crossed it goes well, we don't have to postpone and we can all get home at the end!

Hi all
the Lanarkshire Chess League is now cancelled for the rest of the next year, i.e. no postponements. Any remain games will be treated as a draw and each team given one point each. The new season will start as scheduled at the normal time after September.  Since most clubs play either at a social club or communal venue this decision makes perfect sense both to health and logistical reasons.

I have just been told Paisley v Bellshill is postponed. What will happen to Division 1 championship ? Will it be declared null & void, played on-line or will title be awarded to current league leaders ? Or do we wait to see what they are doing for football ?

Hi folks, although I am in Prague at the moment, hoping to get my plane ok tomorrow, I have taken the decision to postpone sncl dated 29th March because of the Corona virus. I will confirm this with the venue on Monday. As far as results are concerned I will consult my team once I get home and see how much this virus is going to affect our future plans.

Hi folks. Although I am in Prague at the moment, hoping to get my plane ok tomorrow, I have taken the decision to postpone SNCL dated 29th March because of the Coronavirus. I will confirm this with the venue on Monday. As far as results are concerned I will consult my team once I get home and see how much this virus is going to affect our future plans.