Mert Yılmazyerli wins 2023 Turkish Championship
The 2023 Turkish Chess Championship, organized by the national chess federation with the support of GURIS Holding, took place in Kemer at Mirage Park Resort from December 1-10, 2023. The competition, a 10-player round-robin, was held in memory of former Turkish champion Ergün Gümrükçüoğlu. In the absence of the defending champion Mustafa Yilmaz, the only GM in the tournament and the top-rated Mert Yılmazyerli entered the competition as a clear favourite, and he really delivered. Coming into the final round a half-point ahead of FM Adar Tarhan and IM Alparslan Isik, Mert confidently outplayed Ufuk Tuncer with the black pieces and secured his second national title, scoring 7/9. Adar defeated Ceren Tirpan and finished second with 6.5/9, while Alparslan Isik managed only a draw against Yanki Taspinar and took bronze but became the only unbeaten player in the tournament. Final standings: 1 GM YILMAZYERLİ, Mert 2524 7 2 FM TARHAN, Adar 2405 6½ 3 IM IŞIK, Alparslan 2452 6 4 FM GÜNDÜZ, Umut Erdem 2318 4½ 5 FM EREN, Ataberk 2429 4½ 6 FM BİÇER, Atakan Mert 2312 4 7 FM TUNCER, Ufuk 2360 3½ 8 FM TAŞPINAR, Yankı 2318 3½ 9 TIRPAN, Ceren 1940 3 10 METİN, Enis 2031 2½ Speaking at the closing ceremony, the President of the Turkish Chess Federation, Gülkız Tulay, said: “On the 100th anniversary of our Republic, we organized the 2023 Turkey Champion in the name of Ergün Gümrükçüoğlu. We had an excellent event with many exciting games. I congratulate our champion and all the participants. We would like to thank our Ministry of Youth and Sports and Osman Aşkın Bak and GÜRİŞ Holding, which has been supporting this championship over the last six years.” Official website: tr2023.tsf.org.tr/ Photos: official website
Italian Championship 2023: Moroni and Zimina defend titles
Luka Moroni and Olga Zimina won the open and women’s events; in the Under 20, Simone Pozzari and Elisa Cassi took the titles. The FSI celebrates its all-time membership record in 2023. Lombardy dominated the Italian Chess Championship, which took place in Brescia from November 28 to December 10, 2023. The Absolute (open) and the Women’s champions, Luca Moroni and Olga Zimina, successfully defended their titles. The 2023 edition of the Italian Championship will be remembered for its excellent location, the Paul VI Center in Brescia, in a historic sixteenth-century building, and Moroni’s clearing the 2,600 rating bar for the first time in his career. Given that Moroni is only 23 years old, there is a lot of hope that he will continue to move up in the ranks. The Italian Chess Federation (FSI) celebrates a historical membership record, which has surpassed the 21,000 mark (in the past, this number has never exceeded 16,000). In the open event, the defending champion Luca Moroni (pictured above), a native of Desio and resident of Bovisio Masciago, got a slow start but stepped up a gear to finish on 8.5/11, 1.5 points ahead of Lorenzo Lodici Sabino Brunello from Bergamo who tied for second place. Lorenzo became the only participant to beat the champion. Alessandro Santagati receives an honourable mention. Despite suffering a severe bereavement in the middle of the tournament, the player for Catania honoured his sporting commitment, which proved decisive for the final outcome. Alessandro defeated Lodici (who was in the lead for most of the tournament) in one of the last rounds, paving Moroni’s way to the title. In the Women’s category, Olga Zimina (pictured above), from Modena, claimed her third national title (to which the unofficial one of 2020 played online can be added). Zimina won all the games except the one with Marina Brunello (Sabino’s sister), which ended in a draw. Brunello’s draw in the last round was decisive, handing the title to Zimina. Elena Sedina from Como took bronze, and Elisa Cassi from Bergamo came fourth, thus winning the Italian Under 20 Women’s title. The Under 20 tournament was very hard-fought and came down to the wire. The Italian Under 18 Champion Simone Pozzari, from Legnano, beat Joshuaede Cappelletto from Treviso, who was ahead of him by half a point in the final round game to wrest the title. Third was Francesco Bettalli from Siena, who started with four straight victories but then slowed down. A good performance by Leonardo Vincenti is also worth mentioning. Facing tough opponents, the 11-year-old from Bergamo scored 2.5 points. Simorne Pozzari awarded by Italian Chess Federation President Luigi Maggi and enterpreneur Giovanni Longo Official website: federscacchi.it/ Photos: Chesstrainer photography and Federazione Scacchistica Italiana Facebook
World School Championships 2024 – Call for Bids
FIDE Events Commission would like to announce the procedure “Call for Bids FIDE World School Championships 2024” and invite FIDE member Federations to participate. The bid deadline is December 28, 2023. Dear bidders, more details about the procedure, including the Bid Form and Bid Form Annex, Bid and Deposit Fees, can be found HERE. Please pay attention to the General Regulations for FIDE Competitions (EVE) effective from December 1, 2023. Please pay attention to the General Regulations for FIDE Competitions (EVE) effective from December 1, 2023. The new document contains significant changes in the bidding process for official chess events.
FIDE World Cadet Rapid & Blitz Championships 2024: Registration is open
FIDE and the Albanian Chess Federation invite all FIDE member federations to participate in the World Cadet Rapid & Blitz Championships 2024. Each federation can register any number of players. The championships will take place in Durres (Albania), a city situated on the Adriatic seaside, from April 25 (arrival) to April 29 (departure) 2024. The playing venue of the competition is the official hotel of the Championships, the 5-star Grand Blue FAFA Resort. The participants must not have reached their 8th, 10th and 12th birthdays in the respective categories before January 1, 2024. The сhampions of World Cadet Rapid & Blitz Championships 2023 have personal right to participate in the World Cadet Rapid & Blitz Championships 2024 in the corresponding age category or higher age category, if the above-mentioned age requirements are met. The registration form is available via the link: worldcadetrb2024.fide.com/registration The deadline for the registration is February 25, 2024 Regulations and inviation letter (pdf) Official website: worldcadetrb2024.fide.com/ E-mail: worldcadetrb@fide.com Photo: grandbluefafa.al/
FIDE sets clear standards for chess organizers and event evaluation
FIDE’s Events Commission introduces reforms in chess event management, redefining standards, titles, and evaluation, with the aim of shaping a transparent, organized tournament landscape FIDE, the International Chess Federation, announces significant changes aimed at standardizing requirements for chess tournament organizers and streamlining the process of awarding titles. These changes encompass both the categorization of organizer titles and the introduction of an evaluation system for assessing the quality of chess events. Changes regarding Titles for Organizers (come in force from December 20, 2023): FIDE has introduced a tiered system for organizer titles, comprising three levels: Associate Organizer, FIDE International Organizer, and Premier Organizer. These tiers reflect varying degrees of experience and responsibilities for hosting chess events. – Associate Organizer: This entry-level tier requires a minimum of three years’ experience organizing at least five rated competitions. Online training resources and tests provided by EVE aim to ensure applicants’ comprehensive understanding of related rules and regulations. Associate Organizers are eligible to organize international competitions supported by FIDE, excluding Events Commission (EVE) and Global Strategy Commission (GSC) tournaments. – FIDE International Organizer: This higher level requires successful multi-year experience in organizing official international chess tournaments. Applicants must pass exams covering team management, financial aspects, tournament standards, and ethical codes. Existing International Organizer titles obtained before these regulations’ implementation remain valid, with license renewal every four years as per FIDE Council requirements. Only Associate Organizers can apply for this title. – Premier Organizer: The highest tier requires at least four years’ experience as a FIDE International Organizer and the organization of a FIDE World Championship event. This title has no expiry and doesn’t mandate renewal. More information about this can be found here: handbook.fide.com/chapter/B092023 Changes to the way the organization of events is evaluated (come in force from December 01, 2023): FIDE has introduced a comprehensive set of 22 evaluation categories to assess the quality of chess events. These categories encompass various aspects, from securing governmental support to organizing parallel activities. Each category is assigned maximum points, with some also allowing for negative points in case of issues or failures. This structured evaluation system aims to provide a clear and transparent assessment of chess events. More information about the new evaluation criteria can be found here: handbook.fide.com/chapter/D04142023 Speaking about the changes, Akaki Iashvili, chairman of FIDE’s Events Commission, said: “FIDE chess events have seen a significant improvement in recent years, and we want to continue this. The requirements for good chess events are changing with the times, and we need to stay on top. By introducing new standards for chess organizers and, for the first time ever, having a clear list of responsibilities on which events and organizers will be benchmarked, the quality of FIDE events will improve, which will benefit the players, the public and the organizers”.
FIDE President takes part in Advanced Tomorrow Singapore Summit 2023
Against the backdrop of geopolitical turbulence, climate change, demographic shifts, and technological and biomedical advances, safeguarding global wellness and longevity has become increasingly complex. Organized by Advanced Tomorrow (ATOM) and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), the ATOM Summit brought together some of the world’s best thinkers to ponder over the most critical global issues from December 4-5, 2023. The program of the Summit, held at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at NUS, included several panel sessions, accompanied by parallel breakout discussions and a fireside chat that delved more deeply into healthcare access, biomedical innovations and technology, as well as longevity. On the second day of the Summit, Vartan Sarkissian, CEO of ATOM, hosted the panel session on Longevity, Lifestyle & Well-being and the conversation with FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, Dominique Antiglio, Michael Redd, Roger Gracie, Chatri Sityodtong and Evelyne Bischof focused on how their lifestyle, techniques, and variety practices have helped them achieve peak results in their profession and personal life. FIDE President spoke about chess’s positive impact on a person’s well-being and mental strength. “Chess is not only a fun game but also great for one’s health. Various studies have shown that playing chess helps to strengthen logical reasoning and problem-solving among the elderly and can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Even two people who regularly play against one another will continue to learn and train cognitively,” Arkady Dvorkovich said. “Besides, chess is a game designed to be played in pairs and, therefore, can be a great way to socialize, strengthen the sense of connection and combat feelings of isolation. The act of playing the game and challenging the brain through problem-solving can also improve mood and relieve stress,” he added, stressing the importance of the social aspect of chess. Before the Summit closed to the tunes of Chopin, performed by young Singaporean pianist Goh Kai Cheng, Assistant Professor Kathleen Agres from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at NUS exchanged remarks with ATOM CEO Vartan Sarkissian on health, well-being and music. Photos: medicine.nus.edu.sg/
Chess for Freedom project among 3rd Annual Anthem Awards Finalists
Entries in each category are eligible to win the first-ever Anthem Community Voice Awards selected by fans The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS) announced the finalists for the 3rd Annual Anthem Awards. Chess for Freedom – FIDE social project aimed at promoting chess among inmates – is among the finalists in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion category. This year’s finalists were selected from a pool of over 2,000 submissions from 44 countries by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). The Anthem Awards were established in 2021 to celebrate the purpose and mission-driven work of individuals, companies, and organizations worldwide. Now in its third year, the Anthem Awards are the biggest and most comprehensive social impact award in the world. “The work that we have received in the 3rd Annual Anthem Anthem Awards is game-changing. From innovative projects fighting climate change to impactful calls for equal rights across the globe – the Anthem Finalists are a bright light in our uncertain world,” said Patricia McLoughlin, Anthem Awards General Manager. “The Anthem Awards are proud to be able to amplify the voices sparking change, and we invite everyone to join us in celebration of this work through Anthem Community Voice.” The Chess for Freedom program was launched in 2021 when the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office (Chicago, USA) signed a cooperation agreement to promote chess in prisons and organize chess tournaments among prisons. This project kicked off with an online conference and an exhibition tournament with four participant countries. Later, it grew into an annual Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners. On October 11-13, 2023, a record-breaking 118 teams from 50 countries took part in its 3rd edition. “When we started organizing online chess events for people in prison in May 2021, we had just four participating countries. In October 2023, we have teams from over 50 countries playing in our event. This is a great result, but not a limit for us. We want much more since every project means changed lives. Being an Anthem Awards Finalist is another big step forward to promoting our initiative and getting more people involved in it. FIDE is very proud to be among the best purpose and mission-driven projects, people, companies and organizations worldwide.” said Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board. “We are motivated to promote the initiative because we see the power and impact of chess in reducing anxiety, depression, and level of repeated infringement of law. Chess helps to understand the cause and the consequences and allows the inmates to better reintegrate into society. Thus the, society also becomes safer.” New this year, fans can support and celebrate this year’s Finalists through Anthem Community Voice from now until December 21, 2023. The for-profit and nonprofit entries in each category with the greatest amount of support will win the first-ever Anthem Community Voice Awards. Chess for Freedom project can be supported here. Winners for the 3rd Annual Anthem Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. This year, The Anthem Awards will be recognizing Winners at an in-person event in New York City, and all Winners will be marked in history and celebrated in the Anthem Winner’s Gallery with their “Call to Action Speech”. Photos: Stev Bonhage About The Anthem Awards Launched in 2021 by The Webby Awards, The Anthem Awards honors the purpose & mission-driven work of people, companies and organizations worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, we’re defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their own communities. The Anthem Awards honors work across seven core causes: Diversity; Equity & Inclusion; Education; Art & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Responsible Technology; and Sustainability, Environment & Climate. Founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, Glaad, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF, and XQ.
Proposals for changes to FIDE Ratings Regulations
The proposals come after a public consultation launched by FIDE in March 2023. They will be put forward at the forthcoming FIDE Council meeting on December 14 Earlier this year, 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 ratings 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 ratings 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 this year, seeking feedback and suggestions for improving FIDE ratings. Over 150 comments were received, all of which have been analyzed and reviewed 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 include the following: 1. A one-off change to Standard Ratings as of January 1st 2024 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. Notably, almost 90% of received emails favored reverting to the previous 400-point-rule. The QC proposal recommends applying these same changes to both Standard and Rapid & Blitz Ratings Regulations. The proposals will be deliberated and voted upon at the forthcoming FIDE Council meeting scheduled for December 14. FIDE Rating regulations FIDE Rapid and Blitz Rating Regulations Rating Regulations Change Sheet Rapid and Blitz Rating Regulations Sheet
Invitation to the Inaugural FIDE TEC Vendor User Group Meeting
Dear Esteemed Members of the FIDE Community, We are pleased to announce the inaugural FIDE Technical Commission (TEC) Vendor User Group Meeting. Over the past year, we have observed an increasing interest from vendors seeking endorsement for their innovative and technologically advanced products. Recognizing the importance of this dialogue, the FIDE TEC is committed to fostering enhanced communication with our valued vendors. To this end, we are actively working on streamlining and digitizing our processes, as well as refining our policies and procedures. Key areas of focus include the endorsement process, proposals for rule changes, tie-break mechanisms, and pairing systems. Your insights and contributions are vital to us in this endeavour. We are eager to engage in a meaningful discussion with you to better understand your needs and explore how we can collaboratively enhance our processes. Event Details: Date and Time: December 18, 2023 at 16:00 UCT Venue: Online meeting (details to follow upon registration) We cordially invite you to join us for this pivotal meeting. To participate, please register at the following link: FIDE TEC Vendor User Group Registration Form. Upon registration, you will receive a meeting invitation with further details. We look forward to your valuable participation and input as we strive to forge a more integrated and dynamic FIDE community. Warm regards, Hendrik du Toit Secretary, FIDE Technical Commission secretary.tec@fide.com For any inquiries, please feel free to contact us at the above email address.
EDU – Transforming chess education
Aiming to promote chess as a powerful education tool, the Chess in Education Commission has reviewed the existing Preparation of Teachers course this year and announced new initiatives . Understanding the transformative impact of chess within education, the EDU Commission has embarked on a mission to equip educators worldwide with the necessary skills through the Preparation of Teachers (PoT) course. Headed by a team including Jerry Nash, Rita Atkins, Anzel Laubscher, Tamara Sargsyan, and Boris Bruhn, this initiative aims to revolutionize the teaching landscape. The revised PoT course aligns with the concept of educational chess, emphasizing its role as not just a game but a pedagogical tool. Beyond imparting chess basics, the course integrates chess-like minigames, pedagogic elements, and interdisciplinary uses, catering to diverse learning styles and fostering emotional and social skills through chess. In 2023, the EDU Commission conducted a series of online and in-person courses in 79 countries. A total of 18 PoT courses – half in person and half online – engaged 473 participants, empowering 284 new School Instructors with the skills to improve chess education in the classroom. Participants hailed the courses as transformative, citing enriched teaching strategies and a nuanced understanding of the balance between competitive and educational aspects of chess. Some of the testimonies from the program participants: “I am more equipped with this intensive-informative course and encouraged to create my own guidebook for my students. My mind is clearer on which direction I should go to. I am looking forward to implementing what I have learnt.” “Through this course, we can truly impact the next generation in education.” “Good atmosphere, group dynamics, and captivating training. A very enriching experience.” “High-level training, rich, and of excellent quality. The content changes the man.” Their feedback reflects the profound impact on their teaching approach and the potential to shape future generations. During 2023, a pivotal collaboration unfolded between FIDE EDU, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and national federations in Zimbabwe and Nigeria, aiming to introduce chess in education in these two countries. Championed by EDU Commission Chairman Jerry Nash and Commission member Anzel Laubscher, this initiative introduced chess as an educational tool, training teachers and coaches and setting the stage for an estimated 5000+ new students to embrace chess in Africa. Looking ahead, the EDU Commission sets ambitious goals for 2024, aiming to expand its reach to 100 countries and train 1000 PoT participants. Plans include nurturing 20 Lecturers and supporting conferences and initiatives promoting chess in education worldwide.