FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich on Hybrid Format
Dear chess friends, I would like to clarify FIDE’s intentions and goals regarding the introduction of the newly adopted regulations for Online Chess, and in particular, for what we have named “Hybrid format”. First, there was an unambiguous demand for a coherent set of guidelines regarding running online chess competitions, based on our experience throughout 2020. FIDE delivered, by setting clear technical requirements, recommendations for arbiters, and anti-cheating provisions. Second, the Online Chess Regulations do not contain any provision for ratings and titles. Those are being regulated by rating rules developed and implemented by the FIDE Qualification Commission. QC is generally not against rating and giving titles based on hybrid competitions, but firmly believes that it requires both testing (which we intend to do) and a very cautious implementation. The FIDE Council fully agrees with this approach. Third, a number of national, zonal, and continental federations are exploring the option of holding their championships under a hybrid format, in particular for the purposes of qualification for the FIDE World Cup due to take place in July 2021. It is now their right to do so. However, FIDE will be monitoring those projects closely, to make sure the events are in full compliance with the Online Chess Regulations. Any decisions regarding ratings and titles shall be taken separately, on an individual basis. Fourth, we are fully aware of the anti-cheating challenges related to the hybrid chess format. It is both about qualification and independence of arbiters, meeting technical requirements, and behavioral aspects playing online. While having improved substantially FIDE anti-cheating algorithms and allowing the use of statistical analysis as proof of alleged cheating, we believe it would still require a reasonable amount of time to make cheating in chess a high-risk and non-tolerable thing. Finally, we are in agreement that online (including hybrid) competitive chess is not entirely the same kind of a sports game as “over the board” chess. It lacks the same kind of emotional component and psychological pressures that are experienced when playing face-to-face. At the same time, it requires slightly different technical skills and attitude. Although it is acceptable to use it when circumstances do not allow us to continue with OTB activities, or in order to provide better connectivity of the global chess world, it is not intended as a full-scale substitute for traditional chess, which we are committed to supporting. As a matter of fact, FIDE has just adopted a new program of support for classical chess opens, which details will be announced shortly. There are many other things to discuss as well (time formats, better visibility of chess for a global audience, and many more) and we are willing to continuing this dialogue on a permanent basis. Arkady DvorkovichFIDE President
FIDE will provide aid packages to Open Tournaments
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many important spheres of chess life – and the one that suffered most is open tournaments. Most of these events have been canceled during 2020, and FIDE’s concern is that if this situation does not improve soon, many of them might never be able to make a comeback. FIDE acknowledges the importance of supporting OTB events during this crisis and recognizes the crucial role that open tournaments play. We believe that, by helping them, we would be indirectly supporting many other segments of the chess community, including young players, professionals, and even beginners. In view of this, FIDE has approved the following initiative from the Global Strategy Commission (GSC): 1. To allocate an amount of € 100,000 to support the holding of open tournaments in 2021. 2. To assign the distribution of the specified amount to the President, on the basis of a list proposed by GSC. This list will be elaborated taking into account the application of the following criteria: a) Priority is given to traditional open tournaments that have taken place for at least three consecutive years. b) A geographical criterion is applied to maximize the countries and regions that will receive support. c) The recipient of assistance must present the tournament budget with a detailed breakdown, including reasonable prizes for women, veterans, and youth. d) The tournament will establish the lower fees (or absence of fees) for the agreed categories of participants (veterans, youth, women, representatives of developing countries), to ensure that FIDE sponsors can be reasonably represented at the tournament. The aid package allocated for one tournament should not exceed 20% of the total budget of the tournament (including all costs) and will be limited to a maximum of €15,000 per event. “Open tournaments represent a very important integral part of the entire chess community eco-system. It helps young players to grow, it provides bread – and sometimes butter – for hundreds of 2500-2700 players, and it represents a very important part of professional life for women players 2300-2500”, explained Emil Sutovsky, on behalf of the GSC. “It also helps local chess clubs and communities, and it is oftentimes an important link between chess and city hall or region. We must do our utmost to preserve it – as there is a real danger for many of the events. And we shall act quickly – as organizers are about to decide if they are going to stage their event this spring/summer.” With the good sponsorship prospects, particularly in connection with the upcoming World Championship match, the Global Strategy Commission is hopeful that this support fund might be increased in the near future. This possibility would be a joint decision of the President and the FIDE Treasurer. More detailed regulations will be published at the end of January. In the meantime, organizers of chess opens are invited to submit their inquires to GSC: gsc@fide.com