Dear Chess Friends!

Attention to all FIDE Federations! Please be informed that July 28, Wednesday is the last day for any possible changes or amendments, concerning the composition of your teams, bookings for charter or accommodation.

After July 28 any changes will not be considered!

Please pay attention to the last confirmed charter schedule:

For two weekends in July, 17 participants from across North America came together virtually, to take part in the first ever Internet-based Arbiter Seminar! The seminar is a recent addition to the requirement for those seeking recognition by FIDE for the title of FIDE Arbiter, but it also opens a new way in the training of the Arbiters globally.

Traditionally, this seminar has been held in a physical location with lecturer and participants traveling to some destination, established by the seminar organizer. Unfortunately the traditional format of the seminar requires considerable financial expenditure by the organizer and participants. As such, some national federations have not had the opportunity to organize this required seminar.

The idea for the Internet-based Arbiters' Seminar began in March 2010 during the first arbiter seminar held in the United States which I organized. I discussed this concept with David Sedgwick from England, who was acting in the capacity of Chief Lecturer. David in turn referred me to the Chairman of the FIDE Arbiters' Commission, Mr. Takis Nikolopoulos to discuss the matter further.

Takis explained to me that the idea of organizing a FIDE Arbiters' Seminars on the Internet had been already discussed in the FIDE Arbiters' Commission's meetings in the Halkidiki 2009 FIDE Congress and the Commission was trying to find a way to organize the first on line Seminar. So we discussed the details and found it to be a worthy experiment to undertake and as such the Internet-seminar (hereafter referred to as webinar) was born, with Takis serving as the Chief Lecturer, and myself as the Assistant Lecturer, webinar moderator, and technical support. It was decided that as it would be the first time that such a Seminar was organized, the participants would not be charged a fee and the Lecturers would receive no stipend.

The technology chosen for the webinar was a combination of Dim Dim and Skype. While Dim Dim is capable of handling voice conferences, it only provides a localized US phone number at no cost. Toll-free calling is available for an additional fee however we did not wish to experiment with this added cost at this time.

Through the combination of Dim Dim and Skype, we were able to display the slide show presentation that Takis had prepared, while speaking at the same time. We maintained all participants on 'mute' to reduce background noise, and if there were any questions, they could utilize the public chat feature in Dim Dim where either Takis or I would respond.

The Seminar was held over two weekends (10, 11, 17 and 18-July), in three sessions of five hours each, while the last session was for the Examination test, that was sent to the participants and returned by them by a specific time, via e-mail. The participants who will achieve at least 80% in the test (which included 36 questions with 100 points maximum), will be awarded a norm for the title of FIDE Arbiter, according to the Regulations for the title of Arbiters.

During the sessions all the Arbiters' issues, according to the Regulations of the training of the Arbiters (Laws of Chess, Tournament Rules, Titles and Ratings Regulations, Systems of games, Swiss pairings Rules e.t.c.), were discussed and analyzed, while the differences in the regulations between USCF and FIDE were mentioned. The participants had the possibility to ask questions and receive answers through the chat window.

In conclusion, both Takis and I found the experiment a success, with minor technical and logistical issues, which will be worked out during a second experiment, after we deliver our report to the FIDE Arbiters' Commission in September at the FIDE Congress.




Below are some feedback received from the webinar participants:

- "I thought that the on-line seminar is a great idea. There were a few technical issues that seemed to work themselves out. The exam questions were good, and covered a wide range of topics, and challenged our knowledge. More time for the test would be recommended especially for those that are typing challenged. All in all it was a good experience. I do like, very much, how you kept on top of the technical issues, and your hosting. Takis is a very good presenter."
David Kuhns, Minnesota USA - US Chess Federation National Tournament Director and Chair of USCF Rules Committee

- "Overall, the seminar seemed to be quite successful to me. I was pleasantly surprised how well Skype and Dim Dim worked for the presentation. How cool was that -- Takis at home in Athens, Greece, presenting to attendees scattered across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico! I was really glad that between the two weekends, I spent a good bit of time getting familiar with the FIDE web site and the handbook."
Ken Ballou, Massachussetts, USA - US Chess Federation National Tournament Director

- "It's amazing to me that I was taught by a guy in Greece in a seminar organized by a guy in Chicago with fellow students from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. As a whole, I think the seminar was excellent and went really well. I appreciate the opportunity to attend this seminar because I probably wouldn't have done it any other way. Previously, I've read up on the differences between FIDE and USCF and structured the U.S. Masters Championship so that norms could be achieved. Nevertheless, it was good to step through all the rules again. I think future seminars would be very worthwhile and if we could get more FIDE arbiters in the U.S., there would be more FIDE tournaments in the U.S. which would be a good thing."
Kevin Hyde, North Carolina, USA - US Chess Federation National Tournament Director

- "First I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for giving me the chance to take this seminar on line, I want to assure you that your efforts are appreciated and that you have my gratitude. I was thinking what I improve on this seminar, and I could not think about one thing that I would change. With this seminar on line, you are opening new ways for the FIDE family to grow and to improve the quality of the tournaments around the globe. When actions as this seminar, I hope then one day chess will be recognize as a sport everywhere and some day will be part of the Olympics. The seminar by itself was very well structured and presented, and the participants added to the learning experience. Their questions and their experience and of course on top of all this Takis' high level of professionalism and knowledge."
Andrei Botez, Canada - Canadian Chess Federation Tournament Director

The Internet Arbiter Seminar was a great experience. I would like to say thank you to Mr. Muradian and Mr. Nikolopoulos for coming up with this wonderful idea.

A major advantage of having such seminar is that it reduces arbiter's costs to travel to a place that have such seminar. As a University student, I could not afford to travel outside my province to take the FA seminar even though it is my dream to someday obtain the FA title. So, when I saw this idea on the website, I was so excited and quickly send an email to Mr. Muradian and Mr. Nikolopoulos. Thanks to them for giving me this great opportunity to attend this seminar.

Secondly, the power point slides presented in this seminar was nicely organized and easy to understand. The slides can be helpful tool when studying for the examination. Thirdly, it was a great honor to be taught by one of the top arbiter in the world, Mr. Nikolopoulos. Mr. Nikolopoulos gave many examples and it was interesting to hear how things are different in European tournaments. Mr. Nikolopoulos was also very good in answer any questions that were brought up. He also used the online whiteboard to explain some of the concepts (i.e. calculating norms, ratings, etc).

Even though sometime there were problems regarding the audio (either very noisy with background noise or no sound at all). Mr. Muradian was there to fix the problem and the seminar was back in session with minimal delay. Mr. Muradian took his time to notify everybody the start of meeting.

Initially, I had family vacation on the same two weekends but decided to skip them to join this Internet Arbiter Seminar. But, I have no regrets because I learned many new things that I have never learned before in my life. So, thanks again Mr. Muradian and Mr. Nikolopoulos.

Simon Ong, Canada - Canadian Chess Federation Tournament Director


Mr. Takis Nikolopoulos
International Arbiter
Chairman, FIDE Arbiters Commission

Mr. Sevan A. Muradian
North American Chess Association
International Arbiter and International Organizer

Meeting with FIDE Commission for World Championships & Olympiads (WCO)






On July 20, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov met in Moscow with the members of FIDE Commission for World Championships & Olympiads (WCO) GM Emil Sutovsky and Honorary Vice President Mr. Israel Gelfer.



FIDE President also met with with Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the State of Palestine in the Russian Federation, H.E. Dr. Mustafa Fa’ed and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Embassy, Mr. Zaul Awad.

On the 6th of July the FIDE President, Head of Republic of Kalmykia Kirsan Ilyumzhinov arrived in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, to participate in Administrators seminar for the leaders of African Chess Federations. He addressed the guests of the seminar, participated in the presentation that was prepared and submitted by FIDE Commercial Director Mr. Geoffrey Borg, discussed with the leaders of African Chess Federations a number of the most urgent issues of chess development in the African continent.


MEETINGS OF THE 7th of JULY 2010

On the 7th of July FIDE President continued his visit to Zambia and met with other leaders of African Chess Federations.


Summing up the working visit of the FIDE President to Africa, we can describe it as very constructive and important for development of chess in this continent. After meeting with the Zambian Sports Minister it was decided that since new school year chess shall be introduced in Zambian schools as a facultative subject. At the meeting with 18 leaders of the Chess Federations a great number of important issues were discussed and many important decisions were taken: preparation of trainers and arbiters, participation of the teams in the 2010 Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad. A sensational idea was expressed – for the first time in the history to organize in 2016 the first Chess Olympiad in Africa. Ilyumzhinov said: “to date we have 33 African countries as FIDE members. Our task is for the rest 20 to join FIDE in the nearest future”.



FIDE President and President of Mozambique Chess Federation Mr. Pedro Lukas Chambule


FIDE President and President of South Africa Chess Federation Ms. Emelia Ellappen

New regulations for the registration, transfer of players and eligibility for participation in FIDE events come into effect from this day, the 1st of July, 2010. The regulations were agreed at the Executive Board in Halkidiki, 2009.

Please download the full regulations with new Forms for Notification of Change of Federation.

The Opening of The Caribbean Chess Sub Zonal 2.3.5 2010 was held at the National Art Museum of The Bahamas located West Hill Street, Nassau.


National Art Gallery of The Bahamas

The building housing the National Art Gallery was constructed in the 1860’s by Sir William Doyle a Bahamian of Irish desent and Chief Justice of the Bahamas at that time. Sir William was the first Bahamian to be knighted.


From left to right: Kean A. Smith, President BCF, Hellen Mukiri-Smith wife of Kean Smith, Minister Bannister and Acting Permanent Secretary Nicole Campbell

Besides the players and accompanying people, the Opening was attended by Government Officials including Hon. Desmond Bannister Minister of Education and Acting Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture; Nicole Campbell Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture; Tyrone Sawyer – Sports Tourism Development and Miles Yallop – Chess Officer, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

Furthermore, Jorge Vega, Continental President for Americas and Allan Herbert, Chairman of the Development Committee of FIDE represented FIDE at the Opening. World Champion GM Anatoly Karpov and Mig Greengard of the Karpov2010 Campaign also attended the Opening Ceremony and were welcome.


Kean A. Smith, President of Bahamas Chess Federation


Akini Morris - Scholastic Champion 2009


Jorge Vega, Continental President for Americas


Tyrone Sawyer, Director of Sports Development Tourism


From left to right: World Chess Champion GM Anatoly Karpov and Mig Greengard enjoying the pleasant
atmosphere at the Opening Ceremony


GM Anatoly Karpov takes time after the Opening Ceremony to pose with Lincoln Davis, one of the Bahamas Chess Federation Founders


Official Tournament Banner

FIDE published July 2010 Rating List.
World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand (IND) increased his rating to 2800 in the World Championship Match in Bulgaria. World #1 rated player Magnus Carlsen (NOR) scored 7.5/10 in Kings Tournament in Romania and added 13 points to his own history maximum up to 2816. Please view top lists at http://ratings.fide.com/toplist.phtml. All ratings are available at http://ratings.fide.com/.

Following the terrible earthquake earlier this year, FIDE responded to an appeal to the International Sports community by the Haitian Olympic Committee through Peace and Sport. Sports equipment was desperately needed in the temporary camps that were constructed following the earthquake, especially for the large number of children that had been left homeless.

500 chess sets and boards were requested and these have been safely delivered to the Haitian Olympic Committee. The games have been dispatched to the 27 sites where the HOC is running the emergency programme for more than 25,000 children aged 8-14. Apparently the introduction of chess has been a great success and the children are enthusiastic about learning to play. The work has been aided by volunteers fom the local association.

On June, 25  FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov arrived in Zagreb, where he had a working meeting with representatives of the Chess Federation of Croatia. General Secretary Ervin Sindik, a member of the Executive Committee Josip Leko and the captain  of the team GM Zdenko Kozul informed President about the development of chess in Croatia and preparations for the centennial of the establishment of the National Federation which will be celebrated in 2012. One of the steps will be the bid to hold World Amateur Championship 2012.


General Secretary of Chess Federation of Croatia Ervin Sindik and FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov

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