14-04-2016, 09:39 AM
Good informative feedback there from Graham. I was one of the players that had issue with the cold. I think most can manage, but if you have asthma or chest problems (not to be mistaken with chess problems!), it can be a right slog of a weekend to get through. No idea what the thermostat was set to, but the main problem presumably was the carpet that had been taped down to the gym hall floors was suppressing the underfloor heating. There was heat coming through as I had a sweet spot in the last round where a little vent of heat was sneaking through a gap in the carpet underneath my table. I wonder if the carpet is really needed? Are chess players that messy? Or maybe there is concern over scuff marks, I don't know.
I think when venues are raking in hire fees that were presumably not far of £1500 or more for this weekend, they have a duty to provide adequate heating. A few electric oil radiators would have made a huge difference. It might be worth CS or individual congresses purchasing, or borrowing oil radiators from the players. It won't have any impact on the tournament finances as its the venues electric bill. And I did observe while playing there were loads of covered up double plug points around the hall walls.
So yeah, heating a big issue but otherwise a fantastic congress and still one of the best on the circuit. Agree on the increments. Heating to one side the venue is absolutely brilliant, sort that issue out and it could be a 10/10 review for the congress. Having missed last years event I was told parking was a nightmare, however I got free parking in the school car park both days with no issues.
Would be a shame to see the congress moved again, after various venues changes now in recent years. I hope the problems can be ironed out, it would be good if this could be the permanent home of Edinburgh Congress.
I think when venues are raking in hire fees that were presumably not far of £1500 or more for this weekend, they have a duty to provide adequate heating. A few electric oil radiators would have made a huge difference. It might be worth CS or individual congresses purchasing, or borrowing oil radiators from the players. It won't have any impact on the tournament finances as its the venues electric bill. And I did observe while playing there were loads of covered up double plug points around the hall walls.
So yeah, heating a big issue but otherwise a fantastic congress and still one of the best on the circuit. Agree on the increments. Heating to one side the venue is absolutely brilliant, sort that issue out and it could be a 10/10 review for the congress. Having missed last years event I was told parking was a nightmare, however I got free parking in the school car park both days with no issues.
Would be a shame to see the congress moved again, after various venues changes now in recent years. I hope the problems can be ironed out, it would be good if this could be the permanent home of Edinburgh Congress.