Agreement between City of Rijeka and FIDE - Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:06:30 +0000



Today in Rijeka's Town Hall an Agreement was signed between the City of Rijeka and the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in which the City of Rijeka obliges itself to give the proposal for including the chess, within its own quota, into the list of sports making part of the Mediterranean Games sports list, while FIDE will support the Rijeka’s candidature for the Mediterranean Games in 2017 or later.


The Agreement was signed by the mayor of the City of Rijeka Vojko Obersnel and FIDE vice-president Georgios Makropoulos. This signing was also attended by ECU president Boris Kutin, president of Chess Club Rijeka Damir Vrhovnik and Head of the Sports Department of the City of Rijeka Veljko Karabaić.

Vrhovnik, Karabic, Obersnel, Makropoulos, Kutin

Tribute to Arthur Kobese - Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:19:25 +0000


The Late Arthur Kobese – May His Dear Soul Rest in Peace

It is with great sadness that CHESSA has learnt of the passing of Arthur Kobese. He worked for the post office in the Eastern Cape relocating to Soweto around 1980. He became prominent in Chess circles when he began to organize Chess in the Greater Soweto area, forming the Stablemates Chess Club and Central Transvaal Chess Union (Whose team participated in the Junior Nationals in 1984 for the first time) and organizing regular tournaments such as the Standard Bank Open.

Mr. Arthur Kobese was one of the Founding members of Chess South Africa. He was Interim President in 1994 and 1995 and was elected President from 1996 – 2001.
He also served as Zone 4.3 President from 1996 to 2000.
He was the FIDE Delegate to a number of Olympiads.
Mr. Kobese's contribution to unifying and building chess in the country was unmatched and invaluable.
CHESSA's condolences go out to his family and in particular to his son International Master Watu Kobese and his widow Muriel.


Emelia Ellappen
CHESSA President



I am saddened by the news of the transition of Arthur Kobese, former FIDE Zonal President and Pioneer President of Chess South Africa.I was privileged to meet Arthur on my visits to South Africa during my stint as Chairman of the FIDE Commission on South Africa.

The release of Nelson Mandela from prison marked the rapprochement between the ruling Nationalist party and the ANC and to encourage the process the various International sports Federations were encouraged to unify the disparate sports bodies which were hitherto divided along racial lines in South Africa. I recall that during the long and tortuous negotiations leading to the eventual vote for the formation of a united Chess South Africa to apply for readmission into FIDE, Arthur stood out as the moderating and unifying voice. His role in the promotion of Chess in the Soweto area and his ability to reach out across racial divides must make this man a true South African patriot who contributed immensely to the emergence of a truly unified Chess South Africa in the post apartheid era.

I made friends with Arthur and on one of my private visits to South Africa in company of my wife we forged a closer bond with Arthur and his family. Bunmi and I therefore sympathize with Muriel and Watu on this sad loss as we pray that the Almighty God will comfort them and all those close to them. CHESSA, South Africa and indeed all of FIDE have lost a great man who always stood for the common good.

Emmanuel Omuku

New FIDE Anti-Doping Regulations - Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:54:08 +0000


We publish the new regulations produced by the FIDE Medical Commission which come into effect from July 1st 2010. They bring the FIDE code into line with the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) 2009 World Anti-Doping Code and have been accepted by WADA.

Please donwload the FIDE Anti-Doping Regulations in PDF format.

Meeting with the President of Bulgaria Mr Georgi Parvanov - Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:22:39 +0000
Sofia 16.12.2009 - FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov met with the President of Bulgaria Georgi Parvanov today in Sofia. Mr Parvanov expressed his satisfaction that Bulgaria will organise the World Championship Match 2010 and he assured the FIDE President that the event will be held successfully and on the highest level.

At the same time, Mr Georgi Parvanov informed the FIDE President that the Bulgarian Chess Federation will propose its own candidate for the position of President of the European Chess Union in the elections to be held in Khanty-Mansiysk, September 2010.

FIDE President in Laos - Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:28:38 +0000


The FIDE President's delegation arrived from Cambodia to Laos late at night on 5th March and started its programme the following morning at 8am with the Minister for Energy. By 9am, FIDE President called upon the Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh at the Prime Minister's Office.

FIDE President gave a brief introduction about FIDE and the Republic of Kalmykia. He explained FIDE's role and its target to achieving a global chess-playing population of 1 billion. He also impressed on the Prime Minister how neighbouring Vietnam started humbly but today is a major chess power in Asia.

The Prime Minister welcomed the FIDE delegation and expressed interest to develop the Chess in Schools programme. The Prime Minister expressed grateful thanks to FIDE President and the Asian Chess Federation for their readiness to help finance the popularisation and development of chess in Laos.



Meeting between FIDE President and the Prime Minister of Laos


Gift from FIDE President to the Prime Minister of Laos


FIDE President pins FIDE collar pin for the Prime Minsiter of Laos


Another Head of State becomes a Friend of FIDE


FIDE delegation, with staff from the Russian Embassy to Laos meeting sports officials of Laos


Mr Sengphone Phonhamath (Director-General Elite Sports Department), Mr Boualane Sylipanya (Vice-Presdent of Lao National Sports Committee), FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, FIDE General Secretary Ignatius Leong, and Mr Kasem Inthara (Olympic Council of Asia Sport Committee Member)


FIDE President and his delegation on a super quick visit to the famous pagoda in Laos


Visit to the famous pagada in Laos


FIDE General Secretary presents the teaching manuals from ASEAN Chess Academy to Mr Boualane Sylipanya (Vice-Presidnet of Lao National Sports Committee)

Important Announcement about 2010 Olympiad - Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:24:00 +0000


FIDE and Organizing Committee of Khanty-Mansiysk would like to bring to federation's attention some important facts and dates regarding the coming Olympiad and FIDE Congress.

Please note that this is preliminary information. The official invitation will be sent to federations on April 20th according to the Olympiad Regulations.

1. Dates of the Olympiad – 19.09.2010 - 20.09.2010 (Arrival) – 04.10.2010 (Departure)

2. Dates of the Congress – 23.09.2010 (Arrival) – 04. 10. 2010 (Departure)

3. Deadline for registration for teams and Congress participants is May 20th. Registration should be made electronically only, according to the instructions which will be a part of the official invitation.

4. The OC is announcing the details for the charters to the Olympiad:

(Full information about charter flights will be included in the official invitation).

According the current plan, charters will take place on September 19th from the following venues: Dubai, Milan, Moscow, Munich and Prague.
Teams and other participants (Congress people, accompanying people) who want to take advantage of the proposed charters will be asked to indicate their preferred venue. OC will do its utmost to meet all requirements. However, no guarantee is given until all registrations are known. Charters are free of charge for all participants (5 players + captain for each team) who will be only charged for airport taxes (60 USD for each passenger).
The prices of the charters with full information about it will be included in the official invitation.

5. Accommodation – Each team is entitled (according to FIDE Olympiad Regulations) to 2 single rooms and 2 double rooms. Delegates will stay free of charge. Prices of the hotels and full information about it will be included in the official invitation. Prices for teams who would like to upgrade their rooms to single will be also included in the official invitation. OC will try to meet all upgrading requirements. However, due to the limited number of rooms there is no guarantee for this until all requests are known.

6. Visas– After the final registration, an original invitation for the purpose of visa will be sent. Then it is necessary to appeal to the Russian Embassy with these original invitations. Those that submit names with registration in May will receive invitations immediately.
If any person needs an invitation earlier, please, address to the Organizing Committee to get additional information to e-mail: ugra-chess@ugra-chess.ru

7. On June 1st, OC will issue invoices to all federations:

a. For all accommodation requirements (upgrading, additional people) in Euro.
b. For charters (airport tax for registrating teams, full fare for others) in USD.

Federations will be asked to make the relevant payment to FIDE accounts no later than July 1st if they wish to ensure their accommodation and their seats in the charters.

8. Final compositions of teams + captains should be sent, also electronically, no later than July 15th and in case not all names were given before May 20th should include all details for visas purposes according to the list which will be included into the official invitation.
Please note – These dates/deadlines were approved by FIDE Presidential Board, and should be, like all other deadlines, strictly respected.

9. Towards the end of July / middle August OC will send to Federations and publish in Olympiad and FIDE web site a full list of composition of all charter flights and details about allocations of teams and delegates to hotels.

FIDE and OC wish all participating people and teams a successful and fruitful event.

The Chess Queen Becomes Champion for Peace - Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:38:39 +0000


MONACO, MARCH 3, 2010 – WOMEN'S WORLD CHESS CHAMPION ALEXANDRA KOSTENIUK TODAY JOINED "CHAMPIONS FOR PEACE", A CLUB OF TOP INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES COMMITTED TO SERVING PEACE IN THE WORLD THROUGH SPORT.

Champions for Peace, an initiative from "Peace and Sport, l'Organisation pour la Paix par le Sport" is now delighted to count 39 heroes from the winner's podium who actively or symbolically help to create a genuine culture of peace throughout the world using sport. They represent 24 nationalities, 25 Olympic and non-Olympic sports disciplines, 49 World Champions, 20 Olympic Champions and more than a hundred national and regional titles.

At 25, reigning women's world chess champion Alexandra Kosteniuk brings her international reputation and her numerous victories to promote this noble cause. Initiated to the game of chess at 5 years old, she started collecting international awards from the age of 10, became world champion Girls U-12 in 1996, Women’s European Champion in 2004, Russian Champion in 2005, before winning the supreme women’s world title in 2008. The same year she won the first-ever gold medal in ‘Mind Sports Games'. Alexandra holds the highest title available to men and women chess players – Grandmaster.

Beyond her talent and performance, through her leadership in chess education excellence, Alexandra brings unprecedented experience and motivation to the Champions for Peace initiative. For over 10 years, her high moral standards, ethics and charisma have made her an inspiration and role model for her generation and for millions of fans all over the world. A true ambassador for chess worldwide and on the web, Alexandra has always worked to ensure that her favourite sport serves peace, human development and social progress.

In her role of "Champion for Peace", she will travel to Colombia in the near future to launch a program for peace and social cohesion, initiated by Peace and Sport in partnership with the NGO Colombianitos and the International Chess Federation (FIDE). This program will over time enable 4,000 children living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in cities in Colombia to learn chess.

"I am very pleased to be part of the Peace and Sport movement," declared Alexandra Kosteniuk. "I want to give back to the world the love and happiness that I have received through the wonderful game of chess. I firmly believe that chess serves the cause of peace by improving the lives of young people. I have seen firsthand how chess helps students to develop the skills they need to be successful in life."

Joel Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport, himself a World Champion and Olympic Medallist, added: "We are deeply honoured that the Chess Queen has joined the Champions for Peace family. Alexandra has proved to the world that "Chess is Cool". It’s a real pleasure to be able to count on her enthusiasm, determination and intelligence to inform new audiences and convince policy-makers that sport can and must contribute to sustainable peace."

Other Champions of Peace include such sporting legends as SERGEY BUBKA (Olympic Champion and six-times World Champion, Pole Vault, Ukraine); FRANKIE FREDERICKS (double World Champion, 100 and 200 metres, Namibia); CATHY FREEMAN (Olympic Champion and double World Champion, 400m, Australia); YELENA ISINBAYEVA (double Olympic Champion and double World Champion, Pole Vault, Russia), CHRISTIAN KAREMBEU (World Champion, Football, France) BRADLEY MCGEE ( Double Olympic Champion, World Champion, cycling, Australia), PAULA RADCLIFFE (World Champion, Marathon, United Kingdom) as well as many more.

Press contacts

PEACE AND SPORT
press@peace-sport.org
www.peace-sport.org

Diego Garcés
diego@kosteniuk.com
www.kosteniuk.com

European Individual Chess Championship 2010 - Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:02:33 +0000
The 11th European individual men and women's chess championship is taking place on 5th to 19th of March 2010 in Rijeka, Croatia. The tournaments are qualifiers for the next World Cup, part of the World Championship cycle. According to FIDE regulations and the decision of the ECU Board, 22 players will qualify. Prize fund is 150.000,00 EUR for the men section and 75,000.00 EUR for the women.

In the usual opening speeches it was stressed that with 425 participants in men's competition and 165 by women, as well as with 246 grandmasters, all the records are beaten, which creates a serious challenge for all the future organizers. The rating leaders in both competitions are Zoltan Almasi (HUN) and Antoaneta Stefanova (BUL).


Three rounds have been played and 13 players in men and 4 in women's section have singled out on the top with perfect three points:
Men - GM Naiditsch Arkadij (GER 2691), GM Vallejo Pons Francisco (ESP 2708), GM Jobava Baadur (GEO 2695), GM Pelletier Yannick (SUI 2611), GM Timofeev Artyom (RUS 2655), IM Martinovic Sasa (CRO 2509), IM Skoberne Jure (SLO 2509), GM Krasenkow Michal (POL 2652), GM Inarkiev Ernesto (RUS 2667), GM Nisipeanu Liviu-Dieter (ROU 2661), GM Efimenko Zahar (UKR 2640), GM Maiorov Nikita (BLR 2510) and GM Nepomniachtchi Ian (RUS 2656).
Women - GM Socko Monika (POL 2465), GM Arakhamia-Grant Ketevan (SCO 2447), WGM Chelushkina Irina (SRB 2319) and GM Kosintseva Tatiana (RUS 2524).

Full results can be found on the official website. The games are starting at 15:30 with live relay of the top 60 boards.


In addition, there is live video coverage that features multiple web cameras that focus on top boards, as well as general views of the playing hall, showing players, spectators, and guests. As the games progress, the remaining interesting positions and battles are featured.

View from the sea

The playing hall

FIDE March 2010 Rating List - Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:45:01 +0000


FIDE published March 2010 Rating List. World #1 Carlsen, Magnus of Norway has increased his rating to 2813. Please view top lists at http://ratings.fide.com/toplist.phtml. All ratings are available at http://ratings.fide.com/.

Laos Ministries of Education and Sports Introduce Chess in Schools - Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:04:32 +0000

Following the visit this week by FIDE General Secretary Ignatius Leong and Asian Chess Federation Deputy President Casto Abundo to Vientiane, the Lao Ministry of Education and Ministry of Sports have agreed to establish a chess in schools program in Laos.

From left, ACF Deputy President Casto Abundo witnesses FIDE General Secretary Ignatius Leong hand over chess manuals to Laos Deputy Minister of Education LyTou Bouapao who agreed to establish Chess in Schools in Vientiane. Looking on are Ministry of Education Director General for Physical Culture & Sports Mr Chantaly, and Soulasith Oupravanh, Director General, International Sport Relation Department.

Meeting at the Ministry of Sports are, from left, Director General International Sport Relations Department Soulasith Oupravanh, ACF Deputy President Casto Abundo, FIDE General Secretary Ignatius Leong, Director General Elite Sports Department Sengphone Phonhamath, Lao National Olympic Committee Vice President Kasem Inthara and Minister of Education Director General for Physical Culture & Sports Mr. Chantaly.

Left to right: FIDE General Secretary Ignatius Leong and Somphou Phongsa, Lao National Committee of Sports and Culture Vice President,exchanging copies of the Memorandum of Understanding witnessed by ACF Deputy President Casto Abundo (right). Looking on in back are Sengphone Phonhamath, Director General Elite Sports Department and Soulasith Oupravanh, Director General International Sport Relation Department.

Asian Chess Federation president Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan had requested the FIDE General Secretary to assist in activating chess in Laos and Cambodia and tasked the ACF Deputy President to revitalize their dormant chess federations.

In his capacity ten years ago as Southeast Asian Zone President, Leong had visited Laos and Cambodia to establish their national chess federations.

During the recent 3-day visit from 24 to 26 February 2010, they met with officials of the Lao Ministry of Education, Lao National Committee of Sport and Physical Culture, and Lao National Olympic Committee and visited a model school in Vientiane. In the discussions, it was emphasized that children who learn chess perform better in school than those who do not.

In a spirit of cooperation, FIDE and the ACF shall provide technical support to assist in setting up a chess in schools program in Vientiane to advance the interests of chess in the Laos People's Democratic Republic (Laos PDR).

FIDE and the ACF will send FIDE Trainers and Arbiters to train chess teachers, chess administrators and arbiters in Laos. FIDE and the ACF shall provide the technical expertise and chess equipment to help the development of chess in Laos. Leong invited the Lao National Committee of Sport to a familiarization visit to Singapore to witness firsthand the Chess in Schools program and a Chess Academy.

The Lao National Committee of Sport pledged to restructure the Lao Chess Federation and participate in the 2010 Asian Games and 2011 Southeast Asian Games chess competitions.

FIDE President Invited to Cambodia


Earlier, Leong also visited Cambodia and held meetings with the National Olympic Committee Secretary General and several top officials. They expressed interest to support chess particularly because their Prime Minister is a strong player in Cambodia traditional chess which is quite similar to our international chess. In March, there will be a Prime Ministers Cup tournament in Cambodian traditional chess with over 200 players and they have invited the FIDE President to meet and play with their Prime Minister.

FIDE General Secretary General Ignatius Leong (center) giving chess sets and clocks to Mr Ly Hout (left), President of Cambodia Chess Federation and Mr Vath Chamroeun, Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia.

The chess federation officials from ten years ago had left Cambodia and hence communications with FIDE ceased. Chess is now under the Cambodia Chess Federation - re-organised in 2006 with Xiangqi, Cambodian traditional chess and International Chess. They had no information about Chess and appealed for a chess trainer who can teach in Mandarin language to all those who play Cambodian traditional chess so they could be converted easily, similar to the way China started in the '70s.


The Cambodian Chess Federation has a playing hall on the first floor of a Chinese restaurant owned by the CCF President who is a businessman and consultant to the NOC to create a lottery company for NOC. Both the NOC and the CCF are aware that Chess playing could keep the people away from drugs and is a healthy sport for all. The NOC is considering hosting the SEA Games 2015 and we can build on our relationship.