Health & Safety Security Protocol

Updated Monday March 16th at 6:11 PDT: 

To slow the spread of coronavirus, the club has decided to temporarily suspended operations until the end of March and will re-evaluate the timing of our next event based on guidance from state, local and federal authorities.

All Americans are asked to avoid non-essential social gatherings of 10 or more people, as well as any discretionary travel or social visits for a minimum of 15 days. Please join our email newsletter to be notified of our next event.

In the meantime, you can find some of our members online for match play at: https://www.chess.com/club/san-gabriel-valley-chess-club.

Or at:

https://lichess.org/team/san-gabriel-valley-chess-club

Published Friday March 13th at 3:45 PDT:

Today the Los Angeles County Department of Health is recommending the public avoid non-essential travel and gatherings in public spaces, particularly among people that they don’t know. Event organizers are being asked to postpone or cancel gatherings of 250 people or more. Events of less than 250 people are advised to implement a social distance between people of six feet. People who fall into vulnerable categories are advised to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people. Social distancing is the tool being used to slow the spread of novel coronavirus, and the LA Department of Health supports the actions and the executive order issued by the governor and State of California.

The Sierra-Madre YMCA has been approved by the State of California as an all-day childcare center and will remain open.

As of Friday, March 13th, there was one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Pasadena, and 40 confirmed cases in Los Angeles County.

Published Thurs. March 12th at 3:00 PDT: 

California public health officials affirmed today that small events are allowed to proceed, as long as organizers “implement social distancing of six feet per person.” Therefore, club organizers will try to maintain one board per table. The club continues to follow guidance and policy documents from the California Department of Health, the Los Angeles County Department of Health, and the Centers of Disease Control.

At the Sierra-Madre YMCA, everything continues to run normally. Membership and Program Coordinator Darlene Nolan said “We have ramped up our cleaning schedule and made hand sanitizer more easily available,” adding that SGV Chess will be notified if anything changes.

All Los Angeles County residents are advised to take necessary precautions to protect themselves against novel coronavirus. As of March 11, there was one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Pasadena and 28 confirmed cases in Los Angeles County. State Health & Emergency Officials encourage individuals at higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19 to keep a social distance of six feet or more and frequently wash their hands.

The Sierra Madre Open Tournament continues this Friday, March 13th. Check-in at 6:30p, Rounds begin at 7pm.

The club has arranged a way for tournament games to be conducted online. If you are at a higher risk of severe illness, or have had any type of cough or fever within the last 14 days, please send your request for remote accommodation to:

Published March 6th 2020:
The San Gabriel Valley Chess Club has been closely monitoring reports of a novel (new) coronavirus and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Los Angeles County area and worldwide. The club is following guidance and policy documents from the California Department of Health, the Los Angeles County Department of Health, and the Centers of Disease Control (CDC). As of Friday, March 6, risk to the general public in California and Los Angeles County remains low. Los Angeles County health officials report there is no immediate threat to the general public and no special precautions are required.

We will be following FIDE health advisory protocol for the remainder of the tournament.

The following measures will be put in place:

1. Avoid handshakes and other close personal contact with fellow club members and other persons present. Instead of handshakes before your game, just greet politely and show respect to your opponent. You may say ‘good evening’ at the start of your game.
2. Rubbing alcohol and cotton wipes will be provided to wipe down chess pieces. Please request these supplies at the check-in desk.
3. You may request a ‘bye’ or have your games rated online. Contact us with your request.
4. Disinfectant soap and hot water will be made available. We encourage all members to bring their own hand sanitizer, if available, since local stores are out of stock.
5. Wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with soap & hot water before arriving at the YMCA and after you check-in for your game, and after you complete your games.

The Sierra Madre Open Tournament is on. Second round continues Friday, March 6th, with check-in at 6:30p and tournament clocks at 7pm.

Stay home if you feel ill or have a fever.

If you want to stay home and conduct your tournament game online, please send a request to

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

1.    Wash your hands frequently
Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub eliminates the virus if it is on your hands.

2.    Practice respiratory hygiene
When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

3.    Avoid handshakes, hugs, kisses on the cheek and other close personal contacts with fellow conference attendees and other persons present
Why? COVID-19 is spread via coming into contact with infected droplets.

4.    Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Hands touch many surfaces that can be contaminated with the virus. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself. These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses.

5.    If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, stay home and contact your health provider.
Evidence suggests that like the flu, most people will have mild symptoms and should stay home until 24 hours after fever. Certain people should call their doctor early, including the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and those with underlying medical problems. If you are having difficulty breathing or keeping fluids down, go to an emergency room or call 911, otherwise it is better to call your doctor before going in to seek care.

At this time, the risk to the general public remains low. Los Angeles County residents, students, workers, and visitors are encouraged to engage in their regular activities and practice good public health hygiene.