The sporting event in question is authorized in its development, even if the region where it is located were in the red zone, as it is a “competitive level sporting event recognized by CONI of pre-eminent national interest” (https://www.coni.it/it/speciale-covid-19.html).
The inclusion of the tournament among the FSI tournaments recognized by CONI as of national interest can be verified at the link: https://www.coni.it/it/speciale-covid-19/eventi-e-competizioni-di-livello-agonistico-e-riconosciuti-di-preminente-interesse-nazionale.html
Participating athletes, and all those whose presence is essential for the development or participation in the event (players, referees, managers, accompanying persons of minors or non self-sufficient persons), are allowed interregional travel, even through or with destination “red” zones in order to reach the competition venue of the event.
The possibility of carrying out these “sporting events of pre-eminent national interest”, also in the “red” zone, as well as the related possibility of interregional transfer to athletes and sports operators, is contained in a clarifying document issued by the Government – Department of Sport, at the link http://www.sport.governo.it/it/emergenza-covid-19/lo-misure-per-lo-sport-nelle-quattro-aree-di-rischio/.
In this document – with reference to the Italian regions characterized by maximum severity (red zone) – after reiterating that “sporting events and competitions recognized as nationally relevant by CONI and CIP, whether held outdoors or indoors, are permitted, without the public it is declared that the training of athletes, professional and non-professional, participating in events and competitions of national importance provided for by the law is allowed”, explicitly states that “In these cases, interregional travel is also allowed”.
Basically, as can also be deducted from some government FAQs, participation in sporting events of national importance is equated to a “state of necessity” and, therefore, all the movements necessary to take part are perfectly allowed for players, companions, coaches, referees, organizers.
With regard to the anti Covid-19 measures, the organizers undertake to diligently comply with the health regulations that will be in force at the time of the sporting event, both governmental and regional, and with those dictated by the FSI/CONI protocol attached here at the tournament they are required to read, know and respect.
Each player registered for the tournament undertakes to provide the self-certification form, which can be downloaded at this address duly completed and signed, within 48 hours before the tournament start.
In order to improve safety conditions and comfort, the maximum number of players for which registrations will be accepted is 100 (according to the first-in, first-served principle), all pairs of players will play on single tables, all chessboards will be set up with adequate plexiglass dividers in order to contain the dimensions of the game table in terms of depth (100 cm) and to avoid the use of the visor.
The plexiglass, of optimal transparency, will be positioned in the middle of the board but will leave the vertical space of 20 cm to allow the passage of each player’s hand to make the move.
You can view the images of the set-up prepared for the 9th Salento International Chess Open, held in September 2020.
