AGM

[andyburnett]

Shall we address the spectre of court cases being raised?

The guidelines will not lead to a court case as they are not being adopted by the Scottish government as law. The guidelines have an ultimate punishment of the games not being graded.
Anything else would require the actual laws being used.
The tournament organiser will not, unless they own the venue, be the target of this mythical disabled
chess-playing crusader, the sights will be set on the owners of the building and the law used will be the existing disability act covering access.
This has been in place now for at least ten years and yet no court cases have been raised against anyone holding a chess tournament.
I would suggest then that the introduction of the guidelines will not lead to an increased risk of court cases. Any attempt to link them does seem to be spurious at best.

As to an insistence on a tournament organisers part on using unsuitable premises, according to FIDE, leading to a cancellation, that would seem to be a good example of cutting your nose of to spite your face, to coin a phrase.

Ok John, that seems fairly clear on the legal aspects, although Edinburgh Chess Club do own their premises don't they? Not sure on that one actually but someone will no doubt clarify.

As to your final paragraph, the Winter Festival for example ('insisting' on playing at Alva Street despite being unsuitable for some players with some types of disability) would be unlikely to go ahead elsewhere I imagine - 9 days over New Year in Edinburgh at full market rates!? It only works because Alva Street is a chess club and recognises that with its rates to organisers.
It would appear, then, that Edinburgh CC simply can't be used for FIDE-rated events (even if there are no disabled entrants!) which would be a major blow for Scottish Chess :-s

I think it would be very useful to the debate for some organisers to come to the forum and give their views.