Joint statement by FIDE and the ECU

As you know, three major events are planned for April 2020 in Crete, Greece.

1. World Cadet & Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2020
2. World Amateur Chess Championship 2020
3. European School Championships 2020.

These events involve the travel and presence of hundreds of players and others at the venue. Given the current health situation in Europe and worldwide with the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), recommendations and instructions of WHO, sports and national authorities, as also concerns expressed by many participants and national federations, both organizations believe that priority is the protection of the public health.

In view of the above, and after consultation with the organizers, FIDE and ECU have decided that all three events listed above will be postponed. The events are rescheduled for after the 15th of June 2020 and the new dates and venue in Greece will be announced the next days. 

Bookings have been already made and deposits will be transferred to the new dates and in case that participants will not be able to attend will be fully refunded for their hotel bookings and registration fees.    

We would like to note that since that the reason for the postponement is force majeure and a recognized worldwide big threat for public health, neither FIDE, nor EСU, nor the organizers can be responsible for other expenses incurred by participants, including travel expenses and air tickets. Many companies decided to redirect to new dates/destinations or refund tickets that canceled due to the global threat of (COVID-19).