FIDE Presidential Board Meeting Takes Place in Astana
Many important issues were discussed.
On the 5thMarch, the capital of Kazakhstan- which is currently hosting the World Team Championships- was the site for the 1st Quarter 2019 FIDE Presidential Board meeting.
The Legal Advisor of FIDE Aleksandr Martynov talks about the decisions that were reached and discussed during the meeting:
- First of all, the issues concerning the rules and regulations for the World Championship Matches were discussed. This should be of interest to anyone following chess. As you know, after the last WCCM and its 12 draws in regular time, multiple suggestions were offered about changing the rules and regulations. Some of them were reflected in the suggestions of the Global Strategy Commission, and the Presidential Board discussed them in detail. No final decision was reached and all the suggestions will be subject to another round of examinations in the next week or two. However, some change in rules is fairly likely. How exactly they will change- we’ll find out soon enough.
FIDE President and Treasurer made noteworthy reports on the organization’s financial situation. In the recent few months, a certain amount of work has been done with sponsors and the first contracts have been signed; the sponsors are ready to support FIDE. Of course, this is just the start, but there is already some financial flow. This allowed us to raise the question about lowering the compulsory fees paid by the federations and players to FIDE, as it was promised in the election campaign. The rules state that only the General Assembly can make this decision, but it is expected that if the policy is adopted, it would be implemented in hindsight- from 1st January 2019. The federations will be able to economise heavily on customary dues in 2020.
A very important question was raised about hosting the World Youth Championship for the Disabled in Wales. This is a sensitive moment, and it represents an important aspect of our work. FIDE endorsed Wales’ suggestion and the details will be worked out.
Cooperation agreements were signed between FIDE and all of the four continental chess federations, under which FIDE would divert resources to undertake projects.
The dress code for the major tournaments was also on the agenda.
The Norwegian organizers suggested holding the World Chess960 Championship, but there are many obstacles here. It was decided to study this proposal in detail and to check all the legal and technical aspects.
Ms. Eva Repkova compiled a report about the representation of women in key FIDE posts. Naturally, our organization moves in line with the times, and we must devote sufficient attention to this question.
The rest of the points were largely technical and are less interesting to the wider audience.
Photos by Eteri Kublashvili
