The game of chess has maintained human interest regardless of gender, age, religion, culture, or financial status, from the time known as Tayam to Chaturanga, Peteia, Shatranj, and modern games. Requiring a chess board, pieces, and a knowledge of the rules, this strategy puzzle has been used for everything from entertainment to building intellectual capacity and warming up strategy during war. Additionally, with the addition of an independent rating system based on competitive performance, Common Arena is fairer than most other competitive efforts.
Chess is suitable for almost any player who wants to learn, play and compete, regardless of ability (impairment). Anyone can play as long as they remember the rules. With this logic in mind, “everyone has a seat at the chess table” is the guiding philosophy of US chess. Combining this logic and history with current psychological and educational data provides direction. Accommodation inclusion is a best practice and paves the way for the chess community to place more chairs at the chess table.
The Accessibility & Special Circumstances Committee (ASCC) was launched following a vote by the US Chess National Team in 2015 and was first established under the direction of Janelle Losoff. This committee has worked to develop accessibility guidelines that define what accommodations are required and accorded, based on the principle that all chess players should be treated with respect and fairness. I was. Whether a player has a broken hand and needs help with notation and moving pieces, or is legally blind and needs a specific board, set, clock or one of his game assistants, chess Games and rules are strictly followed. In requesting and providing accommodation, the rules of chess cannot be altered in favor of any player.
Over the next few months, we’ll share what we’ve been working on to include the larger chess community in conversations about how to be open and inclusive. We aim to focus on what reasonable accommodations chess players can afford, not what disabilities they play with. Whether the disability is visible/invisible, physical/cognitive, developmental/age-based, or temporary/permanent, many of the adaptations are similar. , maintaining the number and placement of boards is easy and convenient for players who use wheelchairs, need easy access to the bathroom, or need an extra chair to support their feet with a cast accommodation. Or with recordable obstacles and a little extra space to even out the context of the play.
Knowing when, where and how to ask for accommodation is just as important as knowing that you can ask for accommodation. While not all accommodations are acceptable, the ASCC creates a transparent protocol for organizers, directors, players, and community members of U.S. chess tournaments to increase participation without increasing opportunities for foul play. We are working hard to support the tournament organizers and/or players; Tournament organizers and directors are encouraged to work with each player to consider a range of specific options that can meet the individual player’s accommodation needs.
The following articles first provide examples of temporary and permanent disability and what is required to request accommodations. Chess is a game of constant learning and exploration. The more people play, the more we all learn! Chess has evolved throughout the past and it continues to evolve today. For example, Chess 960 and many other new variations. Embracing the hearts of all who play and will play chess ensures the future of chess.
