FIDE partners with Safe Sport International for Safeguarding Framework
FIDE has partnered with Safe Sport International to begin the process of developing a Safeguarding Framework within FIDE. The initial efforts will involve the development of an overarching Safeguarding policy that addresses how FIDE and its members manage the various aspects of safeguarding within a global organisation, including issues of sexual harassment and safeguarding of children and other persons at risk. The policy will also consider international standards and guidelines that will be the most appropriate benchmarks for FIDE to apply. This first stage will also involve discussions between SSI Consultants and key officers within FIDE and some other stakeholders in the first instance to frame the policy and the associated procedures that will form part of the safeguarding framework. FIDE, as evidenced in its charter, embraces diversity and inclusion. One of the key priority areas of the administration of FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich during his first term was to increase the number of females in all aspects of the chess ecosystem. This renewed focus will require the creation of ‘safe spaces’ and associated operating infrastructures for females to thrive. Additionally, FIDE continues to engage in many Social Action projects. e.g. Chess for Protection and Chess for Freedom, as well as Chess in Education. With this comes wider and more complex demographics that are being served, and this introduces additional responsibilities when dealing with persons at risk or vulnerable persons. In this context, FIDE turned to Safe Sport International as a partner that has the relevant expertise in this very sensitive topic. Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, Dana Reizniece-Ozola, remarked this being a very important step FIDE makes, “As the Global body for Chess, FIDE understands its role in setting the example for safeguarding within our chess community. We are happy to work with Safe Sport International, which has extensive experience in this field and look forward to having a practical and effective framework to guide our internal operations as well as our almost 200 member federations.” Neal Anderson, Chief Operating Officer of Safe Sport International, also expressed his delight with this engagement, “We are delighted to partner with the International Chess Federation in our shared commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals in the chess community. At Safe Sport International, we believe in the power of collaboration and through our consultancy services, we are providing our expertise to help FIDE develop their safeguarding policy. We look forward to a successful partnership that will secure a safer, more inclusive future for the chess world.” About Safe Sport International Everyone, everywhere safe in sport Safe Sport International (SSI) is the leading non-profit committed to ending all forms of interpersonal violence, abuse, and harassment in sports environments globally. SSI puts research and the voices of athletes at the heart of its work with governmental and non-governmental agencies, international and national sports organisations, competitive sport delivery organisations, athletes, and other participants in sport. SSI consultants have been involved in all the major developments in safe sport over the last 15 years. Specifically, they have worked with the United Nations, The International Olympic Committee, Council for Europe, UNICEF, FIFA, the Commonwealth Games Federation, English Football Association, International Netball Federation, Philippines Rugby, ATP Men’s Tennis Tour, World Rugby, and many other organisations.
FIDE Director for Chess Development visits Namibia
From November 8-12, 2023, the Director for Chess Development of the International Chess Federation, Nigel Short, visited Namibia, where he held several meetings with local authorities, chess officials and sponsors, went to see a local school and gave a simul to Namibian chess players. The visit was a part of FIDE’s initiative to promote chess growth and development in African countries. During the meeting with the British High Commissioner Charles Moore and officials of the Namibian Chess Federation, Nigel Short discussed the ways to bring positive change to the chess development in the country. The FIDE official paid visits to Peoples Primary School in Katutura, where he met schools’ principals, teachers and members of local chess clubs. For many of them, it was the first time they met a grandmaster; the opportunity to talk to and play chess with the three-time Commonwealth Champions was very inspiring and motivating. “My job is to assist the smaller federations. I have come to talk to the federation and find about the chess situation in the country. I think I have seen that chess in Namibia is promising, and there are activities in schools,” Short said. “Schools are very important if you need to increase the base of the chess players. I was at several schools in Namibia, and it was pleasing to see activity,” he added. During the visit, Short gave a simultaneous exhibition against 20 Namibian chess players, winning 17 and drawing three. FIDE Director for Chess Development also attended the presenting chess boards to the school from the Gift of Chess initiative. As part of the visit, Nigel Short also played in the 2023 Windhoek Open Grand Prix Leg. Short, who became the first English player to play a World Chess Championship match in 1993, won all seven games against Danny Chipandeka, Genius Sihlala, McLean Handjaba, Jemusse Zhemba, Heskiel Ndahangwapo, Lutopu Khoa, and Sibusiso Angula. It was the first time a chess grandmaster participated in a tournament in Namibia. “The level of chess displayed was very high. Grandmaster Short was very impressed with what we are doing as a federation. In terms of competitiveness, we have set the bar high on the African front. We are beating countries like South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana when it comes to event organization,” said Goodwill Khoa, President of the Namibian Chess Federation. He added that players were inspired by the presence of a grandmaster participating in the tournament, and hopefully, it would boost chess development in the country. The visit also attracted considerable attention in Namibian media. It will help to get more interest in the game among people of the country and potential sponsors who can invest in organizing tournaments and supporting new talents in Namibia.
2023 World Youth Chess Championship kicks off in Montesilvano, Italy
The 2023 World Youth Chess Championship started in Montesilvano, Italy. The Opening ceremony took place in Congress Center – Pala Dean Martin, the official playing venue of the competition. First, the Anthems of the host country, Italy and the International Chess Federation were performed. Among the distinguished guests were Ottavio De Martinis, Mayor of Montesilvano; Adriano Tocco, the city council; Veronica Goi, Vice-President of the Italian Chess Federation; and FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, who made short speeches. Ottavio de Martinis, Mayor of Montesilvano, thanked the FIDE President and the Italian Chess Federation for an opportunity to host the championship and greeted the participants. “On behalf of the entire Montesilvano, I wish you a wonderful championship and amazing days in our city”, he said. “The year is coming to an end, and very soon, we will know the names of six new World Youth Champions. And who knows, maybe some of you, the best of you, will have a chance to participate in the upcoming World Rapid and Blitz Championship in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. So, try to show your best. I really hope that many of you will represent your countries in the very top events all around the world, including possibly in Italy in 2028. Who knows. Italy made a bid for the Olympiad in 2028,” FIDE President said. He also thanked the municipality of Montesilvano for its tremendous hospitality and for making the participants feel comfortable in the competition. “Chess is a conflict of two intellects, but at the same time, it is the game that can unite and build good partnership… Take this tournament as a big experience for all of you, and good luck,” said Veronica Goi, Vice President of the Italian Chess Federación After Arkady Dvorkovich and Ottavio De Martinis made the first ceremonial moves, the competition got off the mark. The event brought together 766 participants from 80 federations of FIDE, with 134 players in Open category U18, Open U16 138 players, Open U14 178 players; in Girls category U18 86, Girls U16 138, and Girls U14 125 players. The top seed players in all categories are GM Volodar Murzin(FIDE, 2625), IM Jan Klimkowski (POL, 2520), IM Savva Vetokhin (FIDE, 2403), WIM Yelyzaveta Hrebenshchykova, (UKR, 2292), WIM Nurmanova, Alua (KAZ,2367), WFM Shukhman, Anna (FIDE,2263). There were several surprises in the first round of the championship. In the Open U18 category, the second seed, Indian IM VuppalaPrraneeth, was defeated by Mathias Lind Schouten of Norway, rated 2175. The second upset of the day occurred on the second board in the Girl U16 section as Liya Kurmangaliyeva (KAZ, 2236) managed only a draw facing Jessica Hyatt (USA,1818). Round 1 results: Open U18 Open U16 Open U14 Girls U18 Girls U16 Girls U14 Photos: Przemek Nikiel Official website: worldyouth2023.com/