Big tournaments such as the Dubai Open and the Reykjavik Open have been canceled due to the coronavirus. Upcoming top events like the FIDE Candidates Tournament and the Grenke Chess Classic seem safe—for now.
The coronavirus pandemic is clearly affecting the chess world. On an individual level, Chinese GMs Wei Yi and Zhao Xue had to withdraw from tournaments in February, while GM Ding Liren had to travel to Russia early to spend two weeks in a cordon sanitaire before heading to Yekaterinburg for the FIDE Candidates.
In the meantime, more and more big events are canceled altogether as organizers are acknowledging the risks involved in traveling, or they are following the general policy to avoid mass gatherings. (Read more). Photo and news: chess.com
I was going to the Southern Class Championshipd in Orlando next weekend, but am now not going.
We do understand. What’s happening now is indeed alarming to all of us.