The 85th Montana Open (June 27-28, 2020)
Please note that these fluid and unpredictable times of the COVID-19 pandemic call for tight conditions and unusual procedures. Our expectation at this time is that during the period of June 26-28 Montana will still be in Phase 2. If you are coming from out of state, we ask that you verify that the restrictions in your state are not more restrictive than those of Montana’s Phase 2, in this link: https://covid19.mt.gov/
The registration process for the 85th Montana Open will be quite different than in the past. To begin with, this year there is only online registration. To initiate registration go to http://www.montanachess.org. On the pull down “Contact the MCA”, click on “Secretary/Treasurer” and in the message box state your intention to register for the tournament and then click on the “Submit” button. We will reply via email or phone. And please note that unless you receive a confirmation regarding your registration, your registration is not complete.
After your registration is completed but before you are allowed to attend the meeting or to pay your entry fee on site you will be asked to sign a release (Release form link below). You can bring a signed release form with you and only 1 is required for that weekend.
There will also be a health screening form (Heath screening form link below) which you will need to sign at the door to the tournament room for the meeting and each morning of the tournament. Do not fill it out in advance. The health screening form contains questions about symptoms and recent contact with anyone testing positive for COVID-19. If you answer yes to any of the questions, we cannot allow you to play in the tournament even though your registration was confirmed. We are counting on everyone to be honest and responsible when filling out the health screening form.
Any entry fees paid in advance will be refunded in full to anyone who cannot start round 1 because they had to honestly answer “Yes” to any of the health screening questions or because of a government restriction that prohibits us from running the tournament.
If you would like to further mitigate your risk while playing you are welcome to wear gloves and a mask, bearing in mind that only N95 masks will provide adequate protection under these circumstances. Please bring your own hand sanitizer if possible. Other procedures or requirements may come into play by tournament weekend June 26-28.
I will keep everyone who registers updated by email with any changes that may come up.
Thanks,
Scott Caldwell
Secretary/Treasurer
Montana Chess Association