Shrewsbury Chess Club will this week resume club nights at the Nerdy Café, it has been announced.
Players wishing to attend will have to return a negative result on a lateral flow test beforehand, according to Secretary, Mark Smith. He said it was up to individuals to decide whether they felt ready to attend and play friendlies over the board.
Friday’s event will be the second club night held at the Nerdy Café. The opening night at the Mardol venue in December was a rousing success, but none have taken place since Shropshire Chess Association suspended competitive over-the-board chess until further notice in the county shortly afterwards due to fears over the spread of Covid-19 and the Omicron variant.
That suspension remains in place, although a meeting has been scheduled for this Wednesday 26 January, for the SCA Council to revisit the ruling. Things could change in the light of the Government starting to lift Covid restrictions brought in over the past few months.
The club was due to host its first home OTB match against Newport A at Nerdy on January 14, but that match was postponed.
Shrewsbury had previously played more much of the past 20 years at the former Shelton Hospital and then the replacement Redwoods Centre site. But following the outbreak of the Covid pandemic and the complications of accessing the building, it was decided to look for a new venue.
Smith said: “Club nights at Nerdy are still on as long as people take a lateral flow test before they go.”
He added there was no obligation on people to attend, and it was their decision if they chose to play.
Club nights will be held on the second and fourth Friday of each month, starting from 7.30pm, and all are welcome.
For more details email markpsmith77@yahoo.com