FIDE Chessable Academy resumes in January 2024
The FIDE Trainers’ Commission proudly announces the FIDE Chessable Academy resumption on Saturday, January 13, 2024. The FIDE Chessable Academy program is essential to young talent development, providing every federation with equal access to top-level training by outstanding world-class trainers and further motivational activities for the most dedicated youngsters. World-renowned coaches will conduct sessions in four languages in twelve diverse groups over five months. The FIDE Chessable In-person Training Camp is scheduled to take place in Menorca from March 27 to April 2, followed by the third edition of the Menorca International Chess Open. The venue for the second camp will be announced by the end of February, with class attendance being the foremost consideration. For more information and updates, please follow the announcements on the FIDE Trainers’ Commission website. Invitations will be sent to all federations to nominate their players for further registration. FIDE extends its gratitude to Chessable for their generous sponsorship and continued investment of resources and time. Their contribution has played a significant role in our shared success in developing chess talent worldwide. About the FIDE Chessable Academy The FIDE Chessable Academy is a joint training initiative by FIDE and Chessable — the world’s leading chess e-learning platform. Its mission is to help up-and-comers become the best players they can be. In 2022, over 400 promising youngsters from over 80 national federations enjoyed free access to Chessable courses — plus exclusive lessons from the world’s top coaches. Among the academy’s instructors are 5-time World Champion Vishy Anand, 2021 FIDE World Cup Winner Jan-Krzysztof Duda and many other top players.
FIDE introduces ground-breaking Gender Equality in Chess Index (GECI) – 2023 Rankings unveiled
FIDE released the inaugural Gender Equality in Chess Index (GECI), an innovative instrument designed to measure and compare the level of gender equality in chess federations across the globe. This statistical index introduces a comprehensive scoring system ranging from 0 to 100, with 100 denoting perfect gender equality. The GECI incorporates three indicators of Participation, Performance, and Progress to offer an all-encompassing view of gender parity in chess. The Mongolian women’s team at the 2018 Olympiad in Batumi “The GECI is a step forward in our understanding and promotion of gender equality in chess. We’re moving beyond anecdotes to a more data-driven approach,” says GM David Smerdon (PhD Economics), the lead author of the report. “It’s our aim to provide federations with clear benchmarks to track progress and to set goals in different dimensions of women’s and girls’ chess.” The 2023 GECI report reveals that Mongolia leads the rankings, boasting nearly 40% female participation among active FIDE-listed players, a significant rise above the global average. Following Mongolia are Sri Lanka and Uganda (the hightest-rated African federation), which demonstrate high scores in participation and consistent progress in youth championships. The Ugandan teams at the 2022 Olympiad in Chennai FIDE interviewed a number of leading players and executives in countries that feature prominently in the rankings to better understand the factors behind their success. GM David Smerdon elaborates, “Mongolia’s triumph in the rankings is a testament to their strategies, which emphasize equal opportunity and active promotion of women and girls at every level. It’s an example of what can be achieved with dedication and clear policies.” Insights from the interviews are summarized in a section of the report entitled ‘Stories From The Rankings’, which profiles high-ranking nations and underlines key themes such as women in leadership roles, resource allocation, and the presence of strong female role models. The FIDE Gender Equality in Chess Index seeks to inspire international chess communities to reflect on their practices and policies to promote gender equality actively. The full report is published on the website of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess: wom.fide.com/geci/ It can also be downloaded in PDF format here: https://doi.org/10.14264/9bb291f Citation: Smerdon, D., Meyer, C.B., Reizniece-Ozola, D., Rodrigo Yanguas, M., & Sorokina, A. (2023). Report: 2023 FIDE Gender Equality in Chess Index (GECI). FIDE; The University of Queensland. doi:10.14264/9bb291f
Important changes in the bidding process for FIDE events
As of December 1, 2023, the FIDE Council has approved significant amendments to the General Regulations for FIDE Competitions (EVE), marking a pivotal shift in the bidding process for official chess events. The key modifications encompass a revamped approach to bidding deadlines, fees, and procedural timelines, aiming to streamline operations and enhance the efficiency of tournament organization. Noteworthy changes include: 1. Overhauled Bidding Procedures: Bid deadlines, fees, and minimum FIDE requirements by bidders have been completely restructured, ensuring a more transparent and streamlined bidding process. FIDE has introduced clear dates by which all stages of bidding must be completed for events up until 2028. The FIDE Council will take a key role in making decisions regarding the bidding process. 2. Timeline Adjustments: Organizers are now required to submit invitations for approval to EVE at least six months prior to an event (previously, it was five months), with final participant registrations due a minimum of 2 months before the competition commences. 3. Increased Registration Fee: The maximum limit for the Registration Fee has been raised to a maximum of 120 euros per person (previously, it was 100), inclusive of essential costs such as airport transfers and accreditation. 4. Revised Policies: Changes in withdrawal or no-show policies have been implemented, with refund coordination by FIDE in extraordinary circumstances affecting a substantial number of participants or a national federation. 5. Enhanced Oversight: The role of the Technical Delegate (FTD) has been elevated, mandating an IO title nomination by EVE and appointment by the FIDE President, serving as the overall observer in EVE competitions. 6. Standardized Communication: Official tournament websites will utilize URLs provided by the FIDE office, and all communication with federations will be conducted through official FIDE email addresses. These amendments are poised to create a more structured and efficient framework for organizing FIDE chess events worldwide, ensuring greater adherence to regulations and fostering a fairer competitive environment. For further details on the revised regulations, please refer to the updated General Regulations for FIDE Competitions (EVE) available on the FIDE website.