FIDE celebrates centenary in Tbilisi with chess legends
The FIDE 100 Torch Relay, commemorating the centenary of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), arrived in the Georgian capital today, marking a significant milestone in the year-long global celebrations The torch, which began its journey in India in February, was ceremoniously lit this afternoon at the Congress Hall of the Biltmore Hotel by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and President of the Georgian Chess Federation Akaki Iashvili, along with other distinguished guests. “It is my pleasure and honor to be here for the first stage of the Women’s Grand Prix. I am delighted to celebrate FIDE’s 100th anniversary. The torch has traveled to many countries, including Canada just a few days ago, and now it has arrived in Tbilisi. I would like to thank the Georgian authorities and the Georgian Chess Federation for welcoming us. Georgia has consistently hosted top-level events, and we are grateful for that. I am sure we will return here again,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. Akaki Iashvili informed the audience about an ongoing project to provide Georgian chess players with the best instructive chess books, translated into Georgian. During the ceremony, these books were handed out to Georgian players by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. The event was graced by the presence of Georgian and international chess dignitaries, including participants of the Women’s Grand Prix tournament, all of whom wore white shirts with the FIDE100 insignia and the Georgian flag on the sleeve. One of Georgia’s most revered chess figures, Nona Gaprindashvili, delighted the audience by playing a friendly chess match with FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. In a twist, midway through the game, they stepped away from the board, inviting another pair of players—Anna Muzychuk and Alina Kashlinskaya—to continue the match. The game was then passed along to other participants in the Women’s Grand Prix. In celebration of the occasion, a giant 120cm tall commemorative cake shaped like a chess queen was presented at the end of the ceremony. Women’s World Cup dates announced During the FIDE 100 ceremony in Tbilisi, FIDE officially announced the dates and location for the upcoming Women’s World Cup. The tournament is set to take place in the picturesque seaside city of Batumi, Georgia, from July 5 to 29, 2025. This announcement marks a significant milestone in the chess calendar, as the Women’s World Cup will bring together the world’s top female players to compete in one of the most anticipated events of the year. An important place for Georgian and chess history The venue for the FIDE 100 ceremony, the Congress Hall of the Biltmore Hotel, holds deep historical significance. This Tbilisi landmark, which once housed sessions of the Georgian Parliament, is symbolic in the country’s history. It was here that the 1991 Act of Restoration of State Independence and the 1995 Constitution of Georgia were signed. The hall also has a special place in chess history, having hosted the finals of the 2017 FIDE World Cup between Levon Aronian and Ding Liren. The Tbilisi celebration is one of many global events marking FIDE’s 100th anniversary, reflecting the enduring legacy of chess and its continued relevance on the world stage.
Infinite Chess online panel discussion for chess teachers and tutors announced
Online panel discussion for chess teachers and tutors, “Chess for children with an autism spectrum disorder. Learn and teach”, will take place on August 24, 2024, between 13:00 and 15:00 CEST. The main goal of the discussion is to share the partners’ experiences and ask the most challenging questions while implementing the project. The conference will be held online via Zoom. Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86838350771?pwd=dp6ZLMwpCLNr1aq0NHLad8KpbSEBM0.1 Meeting ID: 868 3835 0771 Passcode: 11862 Schedule of the event 13:00 – welcome speech by Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Project supervisor, Deputy Chair of FIDE Management Board 13:05 – welcome speech by the Anastasia Sorokina, Leader of the project, FIDE WOM Chair 13:10 – Educational program benefits: field insights (Sharon Whatley, Gibraltar) 13:20 – Questions & Feedback 13:30 – Frequent challenges: behavior, emotions regulations, discipline (Evguenia Charomova, New Zealand) 13:40 – Questions & Feedback 13:50 – Parental support & social acknowledgement, stigmatization (Melodi Dincel, Turkey) 14:00 – Questions & Feedback 14:10 – Social project funding: search, tricks and increase (Pep Suarez, Menorca, Spain) 14:20 – Questions & Feedback 14:30 – Roadmap update: 6 stage of the project: Sep-Dec, 2024 (Maria Tamkovich, project coordinator, FIDE) 14:40 – Questions & Feedback Panel discussion agenda About Infinite Chess Project FIDE INFINITE CHESS Project aims to increase knowledge and awareness of chess for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), give practical advice to teachers and parents, study the benefits of introducing to chess and develop various teaching methods. Supported by FIDE and IOC the pilot project went global in 2021 and thrives in 19 countries for more than 150 children with ASD. Each year Infinite Chess team organizes Educational Seminars “Chess for children with ASD. Learn and teach”. The main goal of this seminar is to provide core knowledge and practical advice for teachers, trainers, and parents who wish to teach chess to kids with autism. The first educational program “Methodological guide for teachers” is available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic. Official website: infinitechess.fide.com/
FIDE Council meeting July 21 and 29, 2024: List of decisions
CM2-2024/01 To note President’s report. CM2-2024/02 To approve Treasurer’s report. CM2-2024/03 To approve Recommendation of Verification Commission on suspension of member federations in arrears, Burkina Faso and Rwanda. CM2-2024/04 To appoint Mr. Nigel Short as a reverse delegate for the Burkina Faso Chess Federation effective from July 29, 2024 with the period of his mandate till September 30, 2024. To authorize the reverse delegate within his mandate: – to evaluate and send FIDE requests about FIDE titles, ratings, events; – to select and register the team for the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024, as well as to liaise all related matters; – to liaise with national authorities, facilitating the solution of internal matters CM2-2024/05 To note the report of Mr. V. Bologan in respect of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina Chess Union. CM2-2024/06 To note the report of Mrs. D. Reizniece-Ozola in respect of the preparations for the Chess Olympiad 2024 and FIDE Congress 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. CM2-2024/07 To approve the updated Regulations for the Women’s Grand Prix 2024. CM2-2024/08 To note the Global Strategy Commission’s report. CM2-2024/09 To approve the Global Strategy Commission’s proposal in respect of Appeals Committee Procedural Rules. Table of Changes CM2-2024/10 To note the Arbiters’ Commission’s report. CM2-2024/11 To approve the recommendations of the Arbiters’ Commission on Seminars, Classification upgrades, Amendments to the lecturer list, FA norms and titles. CM2-2024/12 To approve the Arbiters’ Commission’s proposal in respect of the changes in the ARB report forms. Table of Changes CM2-2024/13 To approve the recommendations of the Qualification Commission on titles. CM2-2024/14 To note the Chess in Education Commission’s report. CM2-2024/15 To approve the recommendations of the Chess in Education Commission on titles. CM2-2024/16 To approve the Chess in Education Commission’s proposal in respect of the award of the Senior SLI titles on an expertise basis. Table of Changes CM2-2024/17 To approve the Technical Commission’s proposal in respect of the endorsement of Leap Clock model KK 9909 for official use. CM2-2024/18 To approve the Technical Commission’s proposal in respect of Play-off and tiebreak regulations. Table of changes CM2-2024/19 To approve the Technical Commission’s proposal in respect of Swiss Pairing System Rules. CM2-2024/20 To approve the recommendations of the Trainers’ Commission on titles and Academies. CM2-2024/21 To approve the recommendations of the Events Commission on titles. CM2-2024/22 To approve the Events Commission’s proposal to replace FIDE World School Individual Championship with FIDE World Championships under 7-17 and rename FIDE World Championship under 8-12 in principle, starting from 2026, and to request the Commission to finalize the respective Regulations. CM2-2024/23 To note the Fair Play Commission’s report. CM2-2024/24 To approve the Fair Play Commission’s proposal in respect of FIDE Fair Play Definitions. CM2-2024/25 To approve the Fair Play Commission’s proposal in respect of FIDE Fair Play title regulations. Table of Changes CM2-2024/26 To refer the proposals of the Fair Play Commission related to: FPL Appointment Regulations, FPL Financial Regulations and Fair Play Regulations, back to the Commission to be updated based on the feedback received from the FIDE Council. To request the Commission to submit the updated documents to the Management Board and the FIDE Council. CM2-2024/27 To note the Commission’s for Women’s Chess report. CM2-2024/28 To note the Rules Commission’s report. CM2-2024/29 To approve the Rules Commission’s proposal in respect of video assistance system for tournaments. CM2-2024/30 To note the Chess in Multi Sports Games Committee’s report. CM2-2024/31 To note Continental Presidents’ reports. CM2-2024/32 To recommend to the General Assembly to ratify the Greenlandic Chess Federation application as a FIDE Affiliated Member. CM2-2024/33 To note the position of the Chess Federation of Canada with respect to the proposed affiliation of the Quebec Chess Federation with FIDE. CM2-2024/34 To continue the discussion regarding the proposal of the delegate of the Irish Chess Union Mr. O’Connor in respect of the best score prizes for the Olympiad. CM2-2024/35 To take note of the proposal of the FIDE Historical Committee in respect of the FIDE Awards. FIDE Council members to provide their opinions to reach the FIDE Office by August 12, 2024. CM2-2024/36 To note the update regarding FIDE 100 Years Anniversary. CM2-2024/37 To request the advisory opinion of the Constitutional Commission regarding a number of proposals to the General Assembly Agenda. CM2-2024/38 To approve the Resolution regarding proposals on amendments to the Charter. CM2-2024/39 To hold the 2024 3rd FIDE Council meeting in Budapest, Hungary, during the FIDE Congress 2024.
FIDE 100 Celebrations in Quebec City
Text and photos by WGM Anna Burtasova In April, alongside the FIDE Candidates, the centenary celebrations of the International Chess Federation took place in Toronto. In August, the festivities moved to another part of Canada, the historic Quebec City. Founded in 1608 by explorer Samuel de Champlain, Quebec City is unique in North America with its fortifications, narrow streets, and 400 years of architecture. Besieged five times, it was finally conquered by the British in 1759. Initially the capital of New France, then of British North America, it is now the heart of French culture on the continent. The Royal 22nd Regiment hosted a beautiful ceremony at the Citadelle of Quebec, part of the city’s fortifications, on Sunday, August 18. The event began with a torch relay for the Chess Olympiad, which starts in less than a month in Budapest. Members of the Regiment carried the torch through the Citadelle’s entrance and handed it to the President of the Quebec Chess Federation, Eric Bopala. He took it to the square inside the fortifications and passed it to the Mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, and Deputy Chair of the Management Board, Dana Reizniece-Ozola. You can follow the whole way the torch made through the video on FIDE Twitter. Mayor Bruno Marchand lit the cauldron and poetically remarked on the significance of the FIDE 100 celebrations in his city: “Chess represents something bigger than the game itself. It’s about universality; it’s a language that brings people together.” Dana Reizniece-Ozola added: “It is very symbolic that we have lit this cauldron here in the Citadelle because it shows the strong correlation between chess and the military. It represents a mindset of strategic and tactical thinking and strong discipline. There is no easy way to success; you need to work hard. You are as strong as your weakest spot in the position, and there are many other similarities, like honoring and respecting your opponent.” After the torch ceremony, members of the 22nd Regiment acted as human chess pieces and reenacted the final moves of a game between Wilhelm Steinitz and Emanuel Lasker from the 1894 World Championship Match. Lasker won this game and eventually the match to become the second world chess champion. The representation was both artistic and military-serious. The public was especially impressed by the ending when all the men representing the white pieces went down on one knee in resignation. The action was supported by the Regiment’s orchestra. The Regiment’s mascot, the legendary goat, was also present, standing very still and contemplating the moves in front of him. The ceremony was attended by Lieutenant Colonel Regis Bellemare, the guardian angel of military chess in Canada, President of the International Association of Francophone Chess (AIDEF) Patrick Van Hoolandt, FIDE Continental President for Africa Tshepiso Lopang, President of the Chess Federation of Canada Vlad Drkulec, grandmasters Nigel Short and Evgeny Bareev, among other distinguished guests. Many participants of the Francophonie Championship (RIDEF), which was running concurrently, were also in the audience. The final round will commence on Tuesday, August 20, to determine the winners. Later that same day, grandmasters Nigel Short and Evgeny Bareev gave simultaneous exhibitions at the city’s landmark, the magnificent Chateau Frontenac. Each took on more than a dozen opponents, and some managed to walk away with draws or wins. After a busy day dedicated to FIDE’s centennial celebrations, the 2024 Francophonie Blitz Championship was held in the evening at Laval University. Canadian GM Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux became the 2024 Francophonie Blitz Champion, and Canadian WGM Maili-Jade Ouellet won the first women’s prize. On Monday, the events dedicated to FIDE 100 continued. An open-for-public conference, moderated by Patrick Van Hoolandt and presented by chess historians Georges Bertola and Guy Gignac, took place in Château Frontenac. It focused on the creation of FIDE under the inaugural presidency of Alexander Rueb, from 1924 to 1949. An exhibition of artifacts connected to the life and work of world champion Alexander Alekhine also took place that evening. Some unique items on display had never been unveiled to the public before. Earlier that same day, the Francophonie Rapid Championship took place. GM Christian Bauer (France) was crowned champion, with WGM Maili-Jade Ouellet (Canada) taking the women’s prize.