74th FIDE Congress Qualification Commission 30 October 2003 Kallithea, Halkidiki, Greece

Chairman: Mr. M. Markkula (FIN) Present: W. Stubenvoll (AUT), E. Eletsky (RUS), R. Tanner (USA), L. Ncube (ZAM), D. Buthali (BOT), F. Jafarov (AZE), G. Anaya (CUB), M. Smith (CAN), M. Juncu (ROM), A. Curado (POR), V. Sakotic (SCG), M. Abdul Rahim (UAE), Abd Hamid Majid (MAS), D. Perera (SRI), P. Nikolopoulos (GRE), S. Reuben (ENG) (Secretary), T. Delega (POL), A. Santos (ECU), M.S. Yousufzai (AFG), G. Qaderi (AFG), D. De Ridder (BEL). 1. Chairman welcomed the attendants. 2. He thanked Kevin O’Connell retiring Chairman of the Titles and Ratings Committee for his work over many years, including as QC Chairman for some years. 3. Title applications were finalized (GM, IM, WGM, WIM, IO, IA, FA). 4. It was unanimously agreed by the QC that Mr. Zemgalis (USA) should be recommended to the FIDE Executive Board to be awarded the title of Honorary Grandmaster. 5. Suggestion by the Chairman that a ranking of Federations be introduced based on various criteria. 6. A new ranking of individual players was discussed. Generally it was felt that the Rating List was adequate, but the amount of activity to be in the top 100 (50 female) should be increased.