Dutch report Caruana has arrived for first face-to-face major event of 2021.
Tournament’s official opening set for Jan. 15
Given that COVID is currently surging more so than ever just about everywhere, it seems extremely unwise to hold a face-to-face tournament. What are they thinking?
The conditions appear to be similar to that of the Norway Chess 2020 tournament last fall.
There are no spectators. The players live in the same hotel and cannot leave their rooms except to go to the playing hall. The Norway tournament went off without an apparent hitch
Could they conceivably hold the conclusion of the Candidates Tournament in this fashion? And are there any plans to do so?
I also have to wonder about the transportation to site, away from site, and any other contact that happens (like going to restaurant or similar, or do they have to take room service?) How many potential infections are worth the reward of having GM chess play OTB when there are online alternatives available? And did the Norway tournament monitor for infections post-tournament of players and staff / patient privacy would mean we might not hear of it otherwise.
(And I’m not saying, “no,” here, but am asking the public health questions a nurse does about what are and are not essential activities. Those who make their living from chess have to eat, too… But is the OTB worth it at this time - the pandemic will not last forever but may well last through the summer by current projections I’ve read.)