New FIDE Rating and Title Regulations come into effect
The new FIDE Rating and Title Regulations were approved by the FIDE Council meeting on December 14, 2023. Early in 2023, the Qualifications Commission (QC) initiated a review of the FIDE rating regulations, inviting federations, officials and the public to contribute their thoughts and suggestions. The review was prompted by feedback from professional players and FIDE officials, highlighting a rating deflation resulting from prior changes in the rating system. A dedicated working group, comprising Aleksandr Moiseenko (GM), Pavel Tregubov (General Strategy Commission), Nick Faulks (QC), Vladimir Kukaev (Ratings Office) and Sabrina de San Vicente (QC), worked together with mathematician Jeff Sonas on reforming the existing rating system. Sonas is a professional database consultant and owner of Sonas Consulting, who has consulted FIDE’s Qualifications Commission on issues regarding the Elo rating system since 2009. The proposed concept was shared with the public in July of 2023, seeking feedback and suggestions for improving FIDE ratings. Over 150 comments were received, all of which have been analyzed and reviewed by Jeff Sonas (see Compression and Calculation Improvements: Supplemental Report by Jeff Sonas). Following a thorough review of the received suggestions and proposals, the QC came forward with a set of new regulations regarding ratings. The recommendations included the following: 1. A one-off change to Standard Ratings for rated players: For players with a standard rating lower than 2000 points, an increase will be applied following the formula (0.40) x (2000 – Rating). Players with a standard rating of 2000 or more will retain their current rating. 2. Changes in the rating floor: An increase in the rating floor from 1000 to 1400. 3. Changes in the initial rating: a. Unrated players achieving a plus score against rated opponents will have their initial rating calculated based on the performance rating derived from their percentage score, not by simply multiplying the plus score by (K/2). The maximum initial rating attainable via this method will not exceed 2200. b. Modification of the initial ratings formula for unrated players to include two hypothetical opponents rated 1800, with the result of these two games considered as a draw. 4. The 400-points rule: A difference in rating of more than 400 points shall be counted for rating purposes as though it were a difference of 400 points, with no restrictions on how many times it can be applied during a single tournament, thus restoring it to the pre-2022 state. The QC proposal recommended applying these same changes to both Standard and Rapid & Blitz Ratings Regulations. The proposals were deliberated and approved by the FIDE Council meeting on December 14, 2023. The new FIDE Title Regulations are effective from January 1, 2024. The new FIDE Rating Regulations come into force from March 1, 2024. FIDE Title Regulations FIDE Title Regulations effective from 1 January 2024 Table for Direct Titles effective from 1 January 2024 FIDE rating Regulations FIDE Rating Regulations effective from 1 March 2024 FIDE Rapid and Blitz Rating Regulations effective from 1 March 2024
FIDE100 celebrations start with lecture on Folke Rogard
In 2024, the International Chess Federation will celebrate its 100th anniversary. As part of the celebrations throughout the year 2024, FIDE, chess organisers and national federations are planning numerous activities, including chess festivals, exhibitions, tournaments, and others under the umbrella of #FIDE100. Some are historical, and others focus more on today’s chess and how our game should develop in the future. One of the first was the lecture about the former FIDE president Folke Rogard, which took place at the Rilton Cup 2023-24 at Scandic Continental on December 30. Almost 30 spectators – in addition to some attending on Zoom – listened to Henrik Malm Lindberg and Arne Johansson, who spoke about the life and achievements of Folke Rogard. Rogard (1899-1973) was a celebrity lawyer who took on several high-profile legal cases and often appeared on the front pages of Swedish newspapers. In addition to his professional activities, chess was a passion which he pursued, especially in his student years. After a break from chess during the early years of his career, he made his return in connection with the 1937 Chess Olympiad in Stockholm. Folke Rogard was asked to be responsible for the players’ and leaders’ accommodation and activities outside the tournament. He did this so brilliantly that FIDE wanted to give him international assignments. After World War II, the tension between the US and Soviet superpowers was high, both in the real and chess world, and FIDE realised that it needed a president from a neutral country with diplomatic qualities. The choice fell on Folke Rogard. During the difficult years 1949 – 1970, the so-called “Cold War”, he led the organisation. During the lecture, Malm Lindberg gave a detailed account of all the difficult situations Rogard faced trying to reconcile two superpowers. For the audience, it was like an intricate thriller as they learnt about all the situations Rogard had to deal with. He put a lot of time and effort into getting China in, and perhaps he realised the potential in the country. After two unsuccessful attempts, including an elephant incursion by the Belgian Pierre Dierman, he succeeded in getting the People’s Republic of China to join in the summer of 1966. But around this time, the Cultural Revolution began in China, which had devastating consequences for sports and cultural exchange with the outside world. China became an extremely passive member, and three years later, in 1960, the China Chess Association announced that China was withdrawing from the International Chess Federation. Then, it took six years before China rejoined after the Cultural Revolution was over. FIDE encourages all the organisers and federations to plan their events under the umbrella of #FIDE100. To have your activities included in the program of the FIDE 100-year celebration and to get the #FIDE100 logo kit, please send a brief information about your event (title, place, dates, format, expected number of participants, organiser, draft regulations, and other relevant information) to fide100@fide.com.
FIDE January 2024 rating list: Firouzja and Koneru qualify for Candidates
December was mainly about the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships and the qualification spots for the Candidates, so there have been slight but no significant changes at the top. Fabiano Caruana, who had a great run in 2023, returned to 2800+ following his strong showing at the 2023 GCT Sinquefield Cup. Leinier Dominguez Perez, who also did an excellent job in Saint Louis, made his way into the top 10. Alireza Firouzja lost quite a few rating points in this competition but partly compensated for them by winning the 15eme Open International d’Echecs de Rouen. It allowed Alireza to preserve his sixth position in the rating list and qualify for the Candidates 2024. Humpy Koneru also made her way into the Candidates grabbing the rating spot as Hou Yifan did not play enough games in 2023. Biggest rating gains in top 100 Open and Women Niemann, Hans Moke USA 2692 (+25) Narayanan S L IND 2694 (+17) Aravindh, Chithambaram IND 2662 (+16) Socko, Monika POL 2410 (+14) Eljanov, Pavel UKR 2704 (+13) Sargsyan, Anna ARM 2377 (+13) Adams, Michael ENG 2674 (+13) Wei, Yi CHN 2740 (+11) Erigaisi Arjun IND 2738 (+11) Hans Moke Niemann won this nomination thanks to his stellar performance in the Tournament of Piece 2023, translating into 27.5 rating points. Sunilduth Lyna Narayanan (pictured below) emerged as the winner of a very strong open tournament, Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona), and came close to the 2700 mark. The native of Kerala debuted in the top 50 open. His compatriot Chithambaram Aravindh achieved good results at the above-mentioned Sant Boi de Llobregat and X Chessable Sunway Sitges International Festival and earned 16 points. Arjun Erigaisi tied for first place in the Chennai Masters with Gukesh D and picked 11 points, but in terms of rating, Pavel Eljanov did even better, collecting 13 points and returning to the 2700+ elite group. Monica Socko delivered two good performances in the Poland vs Rest of the World match and Bundesliga that brought her 13 rating points. Ageless Michael Adams shone on his home turf in the London Chess Classic 2023. The English GM won the title and increased his rating by 13 points. The recently concluded World Rapid and Blitz Championship brought about substantial shifts in the Rapid and Blitz rating lists. Vladimir Fedoseev (+13 points), Yu Yangyi (+19), Arjun Erigaisi (+17), Daniel Dardha (+24), Pouya Idani (+29), Ivan Cheparinov (+20), Dmitry Andreikin (+15), Volodar Murzin (+39) and Bharath Subramaniyam (+52) significantly improved their positions in the Rapid Open. Daniil Dubov (+30), Aleksandar Indjic (+38), Daneshvar Bardiya (+44), Aravindh Chithambaram (+37), Volodar Murzin (+50), Alexander Rakhmanov (+55), Denis Makhnev (+54), Alexey Grebnev (+47) and Artem Uskov (+68) became the primary rating beneficiaries of the World Blitz Championship. Anastasia Bodnaruk created a major sensation at the WRB 2023. Being outside of the top 100 Women Rapid before the start, she won the women’s rapid event and earned 45 rating points. The biggest gains in the entire competition belong to young Sahithi Varshini (pictured below; +191 – Women Rapid) and Velpula Sarayu (+264 – Women Blitz). The laurels of the best overperformers by the sum of rapid and blitz tournaments go to Ediz Gurel (rapid +108; blitz +106), Mukhammadali Abdurakhmonov (rapid +94; blitz +142), Timur Yonal (rapid +162; blitz +53), Sergey Sklokin (rapid +176; blitz +58), Xeniya Balabayeva (rapid +139; blitz +108), Leya Garifullina (rapid + 48; blitz +106) Alua Nurmanova (rapid +47; blitz +113) and Rakshitta Ravi (rapid +158; blitz +40). Photos: Anna Shtourman, Anastasia Korolkova, Lennart Ootes, londonchessclassic.com, elllobregat.com/openchess
Kwabena Adu-Poku and Gertrude Banini win Ghanaian Championship 2023
The 2023 Ghana National Chess Championship Finals, two 10-player round-robin tournaments (Open and Ladies sections), were held over five days from December 26-30 at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra. The top 5 highest rated players in both sections, as well as the top 5 finishers in the first Phase (Qualifiers), which was held from December 1 – 3, participated in the competitions. Open Section The top seed and defending champion, CM Kwabena Adu-Poku, put up a great performance, scoring 7/9 and winning his third straight national title. Multiple-time national Champion FM John Hasford finished in second place, half a point behind (6.5/9), and became the only participant to defeat the champion. Clinton Cephas Fomevor clinched the bronze with 5.5 points. IM Francis Anquandah and Bernard Anhwere and rising star Daniel Frempong-Smart tied for fourth place with the first two qualifying for the national chess team (the Golden Knights) thanks to better scores in direct encounters. Final standings Ladies Section It was a fairy tale ending in the ladies’ category as newcomer Gertrude Banini delivered a remarkable performance, netting 8 out of 9 points and emerging National Women’s Champion ahead of Zone 4.2 women’s Champion Maud Benson and 5-time National Women’s Champion WCM Tobi Felix. Zonal champion Maud finished half a point behind the champion to take second place, while the 5-time National champion Tobi clinched bronze with 6.5 points. Final standings The Golden Knights The top 5 players in both the open and ladies’ sections earn a spot on the Ghana National Chess Team (The Golden Knights) and get to represent Ghana at the 45th World Chess Olympiad and the 13th African Games. By Maxwell Kwasi Kporxah, Ghana Chess Association