Per Emil Sutovsky in Facebook today--"FIDE announces plans to stage the Olympiad in Riyadh, players praise the high level of organization, chess journalists are excited about many aspects of the event... What an idyllic picture. Somewhere in a parrallel world, Israeli players barred from the participation, Muzychuks' decision to boycott the tournament is supported by hundreds of thousands all over the World, mass media are raging, and ACP launches Tournament of the Year contest not listing the event in Riyadh, as the official Championship where eligible players are not allowed in does not deserve it."
What will the US Chess position be on the selection of this country as the Olympiad site absent a guarantee that all countries will be allowed to participate and that women will not be harassed with head covering requirements?
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Remembering IM Josef Vatnikov
This is the book that IM Josef Vatnikov self-published in 2005. I met him and bought the book when I played in my first simul. He autographed it for me.....after he crushed me in the simul. The forward is written by Vassily Smyslov. Smyslov writes that Vatnikov was the coach and head of the Moscow State University chess club for 25 years. There is a photo of the two of them standing in a transport car at the mouth of a coal mine ready to go down into the mine on the invitation of the miners, presumably to play a simul. (I'll copy and scan that photo) Vatnikov fought and was wounded in the Battle of Stalingrad. The book is dedicated to his parents, grandparents and two others, Riva and Chaim, who died at the hands of the Nazis during WWII.
Israeli Chess Federation Replies to FIDE Press Release
I would hope that the Israelis take FIDE before CAS in Switzerland. FIDE does not have the best track record before that tribunal.
The text of the Israeli reply follows:
December 26, 2017
To : FIDE Attention - Mr. G. Makropoulos
FIDE'S Offensive and unacceptable behavior about the World Championship - Saudi Arabia December 25 - 30, 2017
We have read with astonishment the press release published on December 25th on FIDE website and which reads : "FIDE secured visas for Qatar and Iran ".
It is not surprising that this press release is not even signed, as it is not only an insult to simple logic but also a shame for FIDE.
There is not even a word in it about the issue of visas to Israeli players, and the "record" of the "logic" of this document comes towards its end : " As everybody clearly understands from the above , FIDE and Saudi organizer are always ready to welcome any participant " ... On such sentences we say : " To read and not to believe " !
This sentence means that in the eyes of FIDE Israeli players are not included in the list of "any participant " .
Let me state very clearly that the agreement signed with Sadia Arabia federation about the event is totally illegal , contradicting FIDE statutes - Article 1.2. a , not having an official form which every bidder for an event in FIDE should fill, and therefore should be immediately cancelled.
I am aware of the fact that it is impractical to cancel the event today , but before considering taking legal actions against FIDE and / or against those who signed this contract I am demanding , in the name of the Israeli Chess Federation the following :
1. As mentioned, to cancel immediately the contract with Sadia Arabia federation about organizing the same event in 2018 - 2019 .
2. To compensate the Israeli players who were denied visas and could not participate in the event .
3. To declare that such a case , which ignores the FIDE statutes , will not repeat itself .
I would appreciate an answer to this letter in the coming days .
Dr. Zvika Barkai
Chairman of The Israeli Chess Federation
The text of the Israeli reply follows:
December 26, 2017
To : FIDE Attention - Mr. G. Makropoulos
FIDE'S Offensive and unacceptable behavior about the World Championship - Saudi Arabia December 25 - 30, 2017
We have read with astonishment the press release published on December 25th on FIDE website and which reads : "FIDE secured visas for Qatar and Iran ".
It is not surprising that this press release is not even signed, as it is not only an insult to simple logic but also a shame for FIDE.
There is not even a word in it about the issue of visas to Israeli players, and the "record" of the "logic" of this document comes towards its end : " As everybody clearly understands from the above , FIDE and Saudi organizer are always ready to welcome any participant " ... On such sentences we say : " To read and not to believe " !
This sentence means that in the eyes of FIDE Israeli players are not included in the list of "any participant " .
Let me state very clearly that the agreement signed with Sadia Arabia federation about the event is totally illegal , contradicting FIDE statutes - Article 1.2. a , not having an official form which every bidder for an event in FIDE should fill, and therefore should be immediately cancelled.
I am aware of the fact that it is impractical to cancel the event today , but before considering taking legal actions against FIDE and / or against those who signed this contract I am demanding , in the name of the Israeli Chess Federation the following :
1. As mentioned, to cancel immediately the contract with Sadia Arabia federation about organizing the same event in 2018 - 2019 .
2. To compensate the Israeli players who were denied visas and could not participate in the event .
3. To declare that such a case , which ignores the FIDE statutes , will not repeat itself .
I would appreciate an answer to this letter in the coming days .
Dr. Zvika Barkai
Chairman of The Israeli Chess Federation
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
The Situation In Saudi Arabia: An Incomplete and Self-Serving FIDE Statement
Word from ACP President Emil Sutovsky this morning is that at the Rapid and Blitz World Championships in Saudi Arabia, women are not being required to wear any head covering in the playing hall or the hotel where the even is taking place. They must wear head covering out side of these places.
FIDE issued a statement declaring that visas have been issued for players from Iran and Qatar to enter Saudi Arabia and play in this event.
Per FIDE, "FIDE has been working very hard and in a discreet manner to organise and safeguard the process of entry visas for all participants of the event. For the first time, ground-breaking special arrangements have been made to issue visas upon arrival for over 200 persons, including the players of Iran and Qatar..............As everybody clearly understands from the above, FIDE and the Saudi organisers are always ready to welcome any participant."[Emphasis Added]
"Any participant" does not include Israeli players. Gens Una Sumus------NOT!
http://www.fide.com/component/content/article/1-fide-news/10587-fide-secured-visas-for-qatar-and-iran.html
FIDE issued a statement declaring that visas have been issued for players from Iran and Qatar to enter Saudi Arabia and play in this event.
Per FIDE, "FIDE has been working very hard and in a discreet manner to organise and safeguard the process of entry visas for all participants of the event. For the first time, ground-breaking special arrangements have been made to issue visas upon arrival for over 200 persons, including the players of Iran and Qatar..............As everybody clearly understands from the above, FIDE and the Saudi organisers are always ready to welcome any participant."[Emphasis Added]
"Any participant" does not include Israeli players. Gens Una Sumus------NOT!
http://www.fide.com/component/content/article/1-fide-news/10587-fide-secured-visas-for-qatar-and-iran.html
The President of the Association of Chess Professionals Protests FIDE Championship in Saudi Arabia
The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship begins today Saudi Arabia with visas not being granted to players from Israel, Iran and Qatar. It's not clear if women players will be required to wear the hijab.
ACP President Emil Sutovsky has called out players who, whilst not attending the event, did so with the rather lame excuse that they were otherwise engaged. Bravo and Brava to those players boycotting the event by stating their opposition to the policies of the repressive Saudi state.
Emil Sutovsky write this morning on Facebook:
"I call upon Western journalists and bloggers to stop with this hypocricy: "only Nakamura and Muzychuk boycotted, all others had their reasons and another plans". Nearly all US players skip the event. More than half of the top Russian players did the same. Giri, Radjabov, Adams, Topalov, Wojtaszek, Navara, two dozens of 2650+ players who had a personal right to play decided not to go. Other plans? Come on, stop with this rubbish. Professionals don't skip a 2 million World Championship because they have other plans. You have an event with the best financial conditions in history of chess, and about 40% of the top players are skipping it. Other plans, really? True - most of the players avoided making loud statements. But "other plans"? Come on, be serious."
ACP President Emil Sutovsky has called out players who, whilst not attending the event, did so with the rather lame excuse that they were otherwise engaged. Bravo and Brava to those players boycotting the event by stating their opposition to the policies of the repressive Saudi state.
Emil Sutovsky write this morning on Facebook:
"I call upon Western journalists and bloggers to stop with this hypocricy: "only Nakamura and Muzychuk boycotted, all others had their reasons and another plans". Nearly all US players skip the event. More than half of the top Russian players did the same. Giri, Radjabov, Adams, Topalov, Wojtaszek, Navara, two dozens of 2650+ players who had a personal right to play decided not to go. Other plans? Come on, stop with this rubbish. Professionals don't skip a 2 million World Championship because they have other plans. You have an event with the best financial conditions in history of chess, and about 40% of the top players are skipping it. Other plans, really? True - most of the players avoided making loud statements. But "other plans"? Come on, be serious."
Friday, December 22, 2017
New Logo Proposal for FIDE
In view of the logo developed for the World Chess Championship 2018 in London, I propose this as the new logo for FIDE. IMO, it is in line with the screwing FIDE gives the chess world on a daily basis.
(c) 2017 Brian Lafferty
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Pirc of the Pirc Defense Born 110 Years Ago
There is a nice article by GM Hort about Pirc in Chessbase.
https://en.chessbase.com/post/vlastimil-hort-birthday-vasja-pirc
https://en.chessbase.com/post/vlastimil-hort-birthday-vasja-pirc
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
The Kama Sutra World Chess Championship to London in 2018
The just released logo of the 2018 London WCC.
The logo appears to depict the Gemini position
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Kingdom Chess Club Launches New Web Site
Based at Cobleigh Library in Lyndonville, VT, Kingdom Chess Club has a new web site that can be found at the following link:
https://kingdomchessvt.org/
https://kingdomchessvt.org/
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
The Future of International Chess--FIDE, the Grand Chess Tour, Universal Rating System and the Power of Money
The URS has much to do with Rex Sinquefield, Gary Kasparov, the Grand Chess Tour and Jeff Sonas of Chessmetrics, Mark Glickman, J. Isaac Miller and Maxime Rischard. The research and creation of the system resulted from a collaborative research project funded by the Grand Chess Tour, the Kasparov Chess Foundation and the Chess Club of Saint Louis.* There is now a good deal of money behind the use of URS because of the events and prize lists involved with the GCT. Should the GCT decide to totally ignore FIDE ratings in selecting qualifiers for the GCT, that could set up a power struggle between FIDE on the one hand and the GCT with its quite wealthy backers on the other.
Another related aspect of such a power struggle could arise if Caruana becomes the challenger for the WCC in 2018. Enter Rex and his billions once again. It has been reported that if Cauruana is the challenger, Rex may seek to have the WCC match moved to St. Louis.** Might there be a battle of the billionaires for control of international chess? Would a well funded alternative international organization be able, with significant prize money on offer, to draw enough of the self-motivated elite chess masters to its event as opposed to financially struggling FIDE. What if Magnus and Fabio, for the right amount of money, agree to play in St. Louis for the championship under GCT/URS sanction and not FIDE sanction. Money talks......how, after all, did Fabio come to switch his national affiliation? How much money would it take to draw the top women to a GCT backed Women's World Championship, not in Iran or Saudi Arabia, but in London, Paris or St. Louis?
As to US Chess and other national federations as they now exist, it's been said that what they offer is little more than rating systems in return for membership dollars. URS is free to use. What happens to US Chess if organizers here in the US start dual rating their events. What if clubs start using URS to rate club events, matches between clubs, between states.
It's mostly about money and power. Relatively speaking, I don't think it would take all that much money to take over international chess in a defacto way making FIDE a dunsel organization. That could be quite a legacy for an aging Rex to leave the world of chess.......and still have $1billion+ to leave to others in his Last Will and Testament.
* The rating algorithm was designed and developed by a research team which consisted of Maxime Rischard, J. Isaac Miller, Mark Glickman and Jeff Sonas. This team conducted extensive testing before finalizing the rating algorithm and found that the URS™ consistently predicted game results better than the existing ELO system used by the World Chess Federation. The superior results were observed “on a consistent basis, from year to year, and across all three rating categories”.
Another major draw-card of the URS™ rating system is that it will be free to use for any local organizers or chess federations that wish to make use of it. This is expected to be a major attraction as it will allow scholastic players and locally based amateur players to quickly achieve a URS™ rating by simply playing in their local events.
http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/chess-launch-universal-rating-system-opens-doors-global-chess-community#stream/0
** Leonard Barden recently wrote: "The actual venue has yet to be announced although the organisers say they have several short-listed options. The prize fund is the world body Fide’s minimum of $1m, which could yet present a problem if Fabiano Caruana wins the eight-man candidates in Berlin in March. In that case the billionaire Rex Sinquefield, who has made his home city of St Louis into a global chess capital and who could easily fund a much larger purse, may try to have the match switched to the US."
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/01/london-confirmed-for-magnus-carlsen-title-defence
(c) 2017 Brian Lafferty
Another related aspect of such a power struggle could arise if Caruana becomes the challenger for the WCC in 2018. Enter Rex and his billions once again. It has been reported that if Cauruana is the challenger, Rex may seek to have the WCC match moved to St. Louis.** Might there be a battle of the billionaires for control of international chess? Would a well funded alternative international organization be able, with significant prize money on offer, to draw enough of the self-motivated elite chess masters to its event as opposed to financially struggling FIDE. What if Magnus and Fabio, for the right amount of money, agree to play in St. Louis for the championship under GCT/URS sanction and not FIDE sanction. Money talks......how, after all, did Fabio come to switch his national affiliation? How much money would it take to draw the top women to a GCT backed Women's World Championship, not in Iran or Saudi Arabia, but in London, Paris or St. Louis?
As to US Chess and other national federations as they now exist, it's been said that what they offer is little more than rating systems in return for membership dollars. URS is free to use. What happens to US Chess if organizers here in the US start dual rating their events. What if clubs start using URS to rate club events, matches between clubs, between states.
It's mostly about money and power. Relatively speaking, I don't think it would take all that much money to take over international chess in a defacto way making FIDE a dunsel organization. That could be quite a legacy for an aging Rex to leave the world of chess.......and still have $1billion+ to leave to others in his Last Will and Testament.
* The rating algorithm was designed and developed by a research team which consisted of Maxime Rischard, J. Isaac Miller, Mark Glickman and Jeff Sonas. This team conducted extensive testing before finalizing the rating algorithm and found that the URS™ consistently predicted game results better than the existing ELO system used by the World Chess Federation. The superior results were observed “on a consistent basis, from year to year, and across all three rating categories”.
Another major draw-card of the URS™ rating system is that it will be free to use for any local organizers or chess federations that wish to make use of it. This is expected to be a major attraction as it will allow scholastic players and locally based amateur players to quickly achieve a URS™ rating by simply playing in their local events.
http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/chess-launch-universal-rating-system-opens-doors-global-chess-community#stream/0
** Leonard Barden recently wrote: "The actual venue has yet to be announced although the organisers say they have several short-listed options. The prize fund is the world body Fide’s minimum of $1m, which could yet present a problem if Fabiano Caruana wins the eight-man candidates in Berlin in March. In that case the billionaire Rex Sinquefield, who has made his home city of St Louis into a global chess capital and who could easily fund a much larger purse, may try to have the match switched to the US."
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/01/london-confirmed-for-magnus-carlsen-title-defence
(c) 2017 Brian Lafferty
Monday, December 11, 2017
Caruana Wins the London Chess Classic
Fabio Caruana has won the London Chess Classic by winning his final round game to tie Nepomniachtchi and force a tiebreak. Caruana won the tiebreak against Nepomniachtchi, 1 1/2 - 1/2.
Now, on to the candidates' tournament.
Now, on to the candidates' tournament.
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Nepomniachtchi Defeats Carlsen and Leads the London Chess Classic
[Event "9th London Chess Classic 2017"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.10"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[ECO "A04"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:3600+30"]
[WhiteElo "2837"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.10"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[ECO "A04"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventDate "2017.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:3600+30"]
[WhiteElo "2837"]
1. Nf3 {1} 1... c5 {35} 2. c3 {30} 2... d5 {30} 3. d4 {30} 3... cxd4 {30} 4.
cxd4 {30} 4... Nc6 {30 } 5. Nc3 {30} 5... Nf6 {30} 6. Bf4 {30} 6... Nh5 {30}
7. Bd2 {65} 7... Nf6 {30} 8. e3 {199} 8... e6 {251} 9. Bd3 {234} 9... Bd6 {264}
10. e4 {192} 10... dxe4 {76} 11. Nxe4 {30} 11... Be7 {30} 12. O-O {39} 12...
O-O {149} 13. Qc2 {655} 13... h6 {225} 14. Rad1 {36} 14... Bd7 {33} 15. a3
{252} 15... Rc8 {30} 16. Nc3 {62} 16... a6 {254} 17. Qc1 {371} 17... Re8 {30}
18. Rfe1 {928} 18... Bf8 {122} 19. Bf4 {342} 19... b5 {71} 20. Qd2 {57} 20...
b4 {112} 21. axb4 {264} 21... Nxb4 {60} 22. Ne5 { 396} 22... Nxd3 {472} 23.
Qxd3 {30} 23... a5 {53} 24. Qf3 {908} 24... Bb4 {279} 25. Re3 {82} 25... Bxc3
{414} 26. bxc3 {169} 26... Ba4 {30} 27. Ra1 {57} 27... Bc2 {30} 28. h3 {263}
28... Bf5 {243} 29. g4 {268} 29... Bh7 {30} 30. c4 {73} 30... Nd7 {657} 31.
Nc6 {75} 31... Qf6 {161} 32. Nxa5 {183} 32... Nb6 {70} 33. c5 {85} 33... Rxc5
{176} 34. dxc5 {241} 34... Qxa1+ {30} 35. Kh2 {30} 35... Qxa5 {51 } 36. Qc6
{30} 36... Qa4 {73} 37. Qxa4 {30} 37... Nxa4 {30} 38. c6 {30} 38... Nb6 {266}
39. c7 { 30} 39... f6 {36} 40. Rb3 {108} 40... Nc8 {3630} 0-1
cxd4 {30} 4... Nc6 {30 } 5. Nc3 {30} 5... Nf6 {30} 6. Bf4 {30} 6... Nh5 {30}
7. Bd2 {65} 7... Nf6 {30} 8. e3 {199} 8... e6 {251} 9. Bd3 {234} 9... Bd6 {264}
10. e4 {192} 10... dxe4 {76} 11. Nxe4 {30} 11... Be7 {30} 12. O-O {39} 12...
O-O {149} 13. Qc2 {655} 13... h6 {225} 14. Rad1 {36} 14... Bd7 {33} 15. a3
{252} 15... Rc8 {30} 16. Nc3 {62} 16... a6 {254} 17. Qc1 {371} 17... Re8 {30}
18. Rfe1 {928} 18... Bf8 {122} 19. Bf4 {342} 19... b5 {71} 20. Qd2 {57} 20...
b4 {112} 21. axb4 {264} 21... Nxb4 {60} 22. Ne5 { 396} 22... Nxd3 {472} 23.
Qxd3 {30} 23... a5 {53} 24. Qf3 {908} 24... Bb4 {279} 25. Re3 {82} 25... Bxc3
{414} 26. bxc3 {169} 26... Ba4 {30} 27. Ra1 {57} 27... Bc2 {30} 28. h3 {263}
28... Bf5 {243} 29. g4 {268} 29... Bh7 {30} 30. c4 {73} 30... Nd7 {657} 31.
Nc6 {75} 31... Qf6 {161} 32. Nxa5 {183} 32... Nb6 {70} 33. c5 {85} 33... Rxc5
{176} 34. dxc5 {241} 34... Qxa1+ {30} 35. Kh2 {30} 35... Qxa5 {51 } 36. Qc6
{30} 36... Qa4 {73} 37. Qxa4 {30} 37... Nxa4 {30} 38. c6 {30} 38... Nb6 {266}
39. c7 { 30} 39... f6 {36} 40. Rb3 {108} 40... Nc8 {3630} 0-1
A New Rating System to Render FIDE Obsolete?
New ratings system backed by a billionaire in St. Louis and Gary Kasparov.......leading to......replacement of FIDE's rating system......leading to.........a new way of creating a ranking for the number one player(s) in the world.......leading to......FIDE becoming a dunsel organization with no need to exist.......leading to a new world governing/sanctioning body in private hands with no need of FIDE? One can hope and dream........
https://en.chessbase.com/post/new-format-for-grand-chess-tour-2018
https://en.chessbase.com/post/new-format-for-grand-chess-tour-2018
Thursday, December 7, 2017
Brave New World--Artificial Intelligence Comes to Chess
I don't think there is much of a threat to people playing and keeping popular games such as Go and chess. Humans will accept that they can't defeat a computer program with or without AI. The problem is centered on how we as humans living and working in a variety of cultures (corporate, democratic, religious, etc) use or allow AI to be used. There is tremendous positive potential in many areas (medical research?), but also tremendous possibilities for mischief and, dare I say it, evil.
https://en.chessbase.com/post/the-future-is-here-alphazero-learns-chess
https://en.chessbase.com/post/the-future-is-here-alphazero-learns-chess
Saturday, December 2, 2017
World Chess Championship in London or St. Louis?
"The actual venue has yet to be announced although the organisers say they have several short-listed options. The prize fund is the world body Fide’s minimum of $1m, which could yet present a problem if Fabiano Caruana wins the eight-man candidates in Berlin in March. In that case the billionaire Rex Sinquefield, who has made his home city of St Louis into a global chess capital and who could easily fund a much larger purse, may try to have the match switched to the US."--Leonard Barden
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/01/london-confirmed-for-magnus-carlsen-title-defence
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/01/london-confirmed-for-magnus-carlsen-title-defence
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Middlebury Quick Tournament This Saturday........
......in,,,,,drum roll, please......Middlebury, VT. Imagine that! Complete details can be found on the tournament page of this blog.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Agon, Ltd./World Chess and FIDE Attempting to Restrict Live Tournament Commentating
They've lost in courts from the US to Europe to Russia trying to restrict live transmission of the moves of FIDE tournaments. Now they are trying to restrict commentating on the moves live by FIDE GMs and IMs by suspending them for "ethical" violation. Here is the text of the Aon, Ltd./World Chess proposal to FIDE.
I'll comment on this further shortly.
FIDE LIVE MOVES BROADCASTING POLICY
I'll comment on this further shortly.
World Chess
To: Members of the Working Group to Study the Proposal of Agon Limited on Protection of Live Chess
Moves
Dear Members of the Working Group,
First of all, I would like to thank Mr Strydom, Mr Rivello
and Ms Sperdokli for their valuable comments to the Agon Limited proposal
presented at the last Presidential Board meeting in March, 2017. All of them
were taken into consideration when developing the wording of the draft FIDE
Live Moves Broadcasting Policy (“Draft Policy”) attached to this letter.
The Draft Policy recognizes the right of the World Chess
Federation to control the live dissemination of the FIDE events’ moves.
Furthermore, it provides for the measures to be taken against persons
interfering with this right.
Pursuant to the Policy there are two types of violators –
Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 includes the members of FIDE family, whereas Type 2
covers organizations and individuals, who are not part of the FIDE family.
The measures to be taken against Type 1 violators are
already previewed in the Code of Ethics – the Draft Policy merely introduces
the new rule that members of FIDE family shall comply with.
As for the Type 2 violators, the Policy provides for
indirect measures. Those persons are subject to inclusion to special FIDE list
(“Blacklist”) and members of FIDE family are prohibited from cooperating with
the blacklisted persons. Thus, the measures have an indirect effect – the
prohibition is obligatory for members of FIDE family, and its violation shall
be treated as the breach of FIDE Code of Ethics by the member of FIDE
family.
This method of restrictions on cooperation is similar to
the EU or US sanctions, even thought the scope of the prohibition and its
objectives are quite different from the political sanctions.
The main idea behind this prohibition is that chess
community shall make an effort to ban freeriders from using the infrastructure
provided by it. Individuals and organizations that do not respect the efforts
of the chess events organizers and federations and continue to profit on live
chess moves information without contributing to the staging of the events
reduce the value of chess as professional sport and, thus, hinder its
development and popularization.
The prohibition will serve as a measure aimed at:
•
making it possible for FIDE and FIDE events
organizers to use on exclusive basis or sell the rights to live move-by-move
broadcasting, thus providing an additional stream of revenue for FIDE events;
•
stopping the practice of organization of
unauthorized live move-by-move broadcasts by the third parties that only
free-ride on the efforts of FIDE and organizers of its events, without
contributing to the events themselves;
•
will prevent chess players and other chess
professionals from participating in these reprehensible practices.
Further, I would like to address the issues raised by Mr
Strydom and Mr Rivello in their comments to the initial proposal.[1]
Who will be the "proprietor" of
the broadcasting rights in the event of a tournament being held under the
auspices of a federation or if the tournament is privately staged?
FIDE will be the “proprietor” of the broadcasting rights.
The players will transfer this rights under the contracts for participation
together with other commercial rights. The said rights will form a part of the
TV and Internet broadcasting rights that are usually assigned to the organizer
of the FIDE event in order to make it possible for the organizer to
commercialize the event.
The FIDE Code of Ethics cannot be enforced
against the members of general public that cannot somehow be brought into the
notion of the "FIDE family".
This is a very valuable point that was brought up by Mr
Strydom. As it was mentioned earlier, the Draft Policy is only enforceable
against the members of the FIDE family. Nevertheless, it effectively excludes
the non-FIDE-family violators from the cooperation with the FIDE family chess
community. I believe that this resolves the issue of freedom of commercial
association and pursuit of commercial activity as well as the restrictions only
apply to the members of FIDE family.
Finally, there are still several questions that need to be
addressed once the wording of the Policy is finalized.
The first one being the possibility of implementation of
similar policies on the national federation level and their recognition and
enforcement by FIDE. I see the development of Model Broadcasting Policy for
national federations as a perfect tool to address this.
The second question is the temporary application of the
Broadcasting Policy for the period after its approval by the working group and
the Presidential Board/the Executive Board and its approval by the General
Assembly. The point here is that at least FIDE can apply the prohibition on
cooperation for this period, providing the idea to all the interested parties
on how the Policy should work. However, in such case it is still to be decided
which FIDE body or commission will take responsibility for updating the list of
violators and who will have the final decision when it comes to establishing
the fact of violation during this temporary period.
I am looking forward to receiving your comments and
suggestions on both this letter and attached Draft Policy. Thank you for your
consideration on this matter!
Sincerely,
Matvey
Shekhovtsov
Matvey Shekhovtsov
Member of Agon Limited/FIDE Interface Team
Agon Limited
10th of April 2017
FIDE LIVE MOVES BROADCASTING POLICY
1. Introduction
1.1. This
section describes the Live moves broadcasting policy of FIDE (“Policy”).
1.2. This
Policy shall govern what action may be taken against any person (meaning either
an individual or organization) that deliberately or through gross negligence
violates the exclusive right to organize live move-by-move broadcast of FIDE
events.
1.3. The
FIDE Ethics Commission is responsible for any actions to be taken in accordance
with this Policy.
2. Right to organize live moves broadcasting
2.1. FIDE
shall have the exclusive right to organize the live move-by-move broadcast of
FIDE events (“Broadcasting right”). FIDE may at its sole discretion assign this
right to third parties, including the organizer’s of FIDE events and/or its
appointed commercial agencies.
2.2. The
exclusivity of the Broadcasting right shall only extend for the whole duration
of the broadcasted game. After the end of the game the notation can be used
without any further restrictions.
2.3. Use
of up to 10 consecutive moves in one piece of communication (e.g. on one
web-page; in one video piece) shall be regarded as fair use which does not
interfere with the Broadcasting right.
3. Violation of the Broadcasting right
3.1. The
following actions shall be regarded as violations of the Broadcasting right:
a) unauthorized
live move-by-move broadcasting of FIDE events via any means of communication
including, but not limited to Internet, Radio and Television;
b) participation
in the unauthorized live move-by-move broadcasting as commentator or author;
c) advertising
and/or promoting unauthorized live move-by-move broadcasting.[2]
4. Violators
4.1. Type
I violators («Violators I») include persons listed in item 1.4 of the FIDE Code
of Ethics that performed actions listed in item 3.1 of this Policy.
4.2. Type
II violators («Violators II») include persons who are not listed in item 1.4 of
the FIDE Code of Ethics that performed actions listed in item 3.1 of this
Policy.
4.3. The
fact of the violation shall be determined by the FIDE Ethics Commission upon
the complaint of the Broadcasting right holder
5. Measures to be taken in respect of
Violators I.
5.1. Violation
of the Broadcasting right by Violators I shall be considered to be a breach of
the FIDE Code of Ethics.
5.2. The
general procedure previewed by the FIDE Code of Ethics and respective
punishments shall apply.
6. Measures to be taken in respect of
Violators II.
6.1. Violators
II shall be added to the special list (“FIDE Blacklist”) for the period to be
determined by the FIDE Ethics Commission on the basis of the severity of
violation. Such period in any case shall not exceed 10 (ten) years.
6.2. Persons
listed in item 1.4 of the FIDE Code of Ethics are prohibited from entering into
any commercial or other cooperation, partnership or any other contractual
relationship with the persons listed on FIDE Blacklist. Violation of this
provision shall be considered a breach of the FIDE Code of Ethics.
6.3. FIDE
Secretariat shall be responsible for updating the FIDE Blacklist in accordance
with the decisions of the FIDE Ethics Commission and publishing it on the FIDE
website.
6.4. Person
may be excluded from the FIDE Blacklist if it reaches an amicable agreement
with the Broadcasting right holder and undertakes to abstain from violating the
Broadcasting right in future.
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
VT Fall Scholastic Tournament and Dave Carter Simul a Great Success
Here are the results from Saturday's Berlin, VT event. Bravo to all who participated.
Grades K-2
# Name Grade Round
1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Total
1 Alexander
Collins 2 W6 W7 W2 W3 4.0
2 Roland
Ekstrom 2 W9 W5 L1 W6 3.0
3 Willard
Peabody 2 D4 W9 W7 L1 2.5
4 Jace
Grayson 1 D3 W10 L6 W8 2.5
5 Tomas
Hynes 2 W11 L2 D8 W10 2.5
6 Elias
O'Donald 1 L1 W11 W4 L2 2.0
7 William
Kimberley-Stridsberg 1 W8 L1 L3 W11 2.0
8 René
Simakaski 1 L7 B--- D5 L4 1.5
9 Jonathon
Sicard 2 L2 L3 D10 B--- 1.5
10 Quincy
Moreno 1 B--- L4 D9 L5 1.5
11 Trent
Loftus 2 L5 L6 B--- L7 1.0
Grades 3-4
# Name Grade Round
1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Total
1 Sullivan
Staff 3 W12 D5 W6 W2 3.5
2 Misha
Chirkov 3 W14 W3 W4 L1 3.0
3 Jack
Staff 4 W8 L2 W9 W5 3.0
4 Malachi
Ogden 4 W11 W14 L2 W8 3.0
5 Emma
Malroux 3 W9 D1 W7 L3 2.5
6 Tucker
Hessel 4 W13 D7 L1 W10 2.5
7 Tessa
Gordon 3 W10 D6 L5 W12 2.5
8 Jack
White 4 L3 W13 W11 L4 2.0
9 August
Simakaski 4 L5 W10 L3 W11 2.0
10 Flynn
Moreno 4 L7 L9 W13 L6 1.0
11 Jacob
Law 4 L4 W12 L8 L9 1.0
12 Archer
Beth 3 L1 L11 W14 L7 1.0
13 Rowan
Moran 3 L6 L8 L10 W14 1.0
14 Kealan
Gottshall 3 L2 L4 L12 L13 0.0
Grades 5-6
# Name Grade Round
1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Total
1 Jacob
Graham 5 W19 W9 W8 W3 4.0
2 Kareem
Schmidpeter 5 D15 W17 W4 W8 3.5
3 Mason
Asaro 5 W10 W12 W5 L1 3.0
4 Graham
Resmer 6 W14 W15 L2 W7 3.0
5 Hudson
Grimes 5 W18 W7 L3 W11 3.0
6 Cade
Jung 5 L7 W18 W9 W10 3.0
7 Charles
Garavelli 5 W6 L5 W12 L4 2.0
8 Andrew
Best 6 W13 W11 L1 L2 2.0
9 Tristan
Gottshall 5 W17 L1 L6 W18 2.0
10 Bennett
Moreno 5 L3 W19 W16 L6 2.0
11 Grace
Best 5 W16 L8 W13 L5 2.0
12 Sawyer
Cleary 5 B--- L3 L7 W16 2.0
13 Donovan
Sicard 5 L8 B--- L11 W19 2.0
14 Savannah
Staff 6 L4 L16 B--- W17 2.0
15 Thomas
Sheehan 6 D2 L4 L17 B--- 1.5
16 Max
Derby 6 L11 W14 L10 L12 1.0
17 Griffon
Beth 5 L9 L2 W15 L14 1.0
18 Samuel
Sanderson 5 L5 L6 D19 L9 0.5
19 Aiden
Collins 5 L1 L10 D18 L13 0.5
Grades 7-8
# Name Grade Round
1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Total
1 Kai
Jenkins-Mui 7 W6 W2 W5 W4 4.0
2 Simon
Cafiero 7 W12 L1 W8 W6 3.0
3 Jack
Brandon 8 W9 W11 L4 W5 3.0
4 Zakaria
Arshad 8 D11 W9 W3 L1 2.5
5 Benjamin
Parker 8 W10 W7 L1 L3 2.0
6 Christopher
Dukeshire 7 L1 W12 W7 L2 2.0
7 Noah
Sanderson 7 W8 L5 L6 W10 2.0
8 Thomas
Garavelli 7 L7 W10 L2 W9 2.0
9 Marcus
White 7 L3 L4 W12 L8 1.0
10 Uma
Chirkova 8 L5 L8 W11 L7 1.0
11 Leo
Brown 8 D4 L3 L10 D12 1.0
12 Timothy
McHugh 7 L2 L6 L9 D11 0.5
Grades 9-12
# Name Grade Round
1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Total
1 Ragulan
Sivakumar 10 W10 W1 D4 D3 3.0
2 Michael
Cafiero 10 W7 L2 W3 W4 3.0
3 Sasha
Kagle 11 W5 W6 L1 D2 2.5
4 Danis
Ly 11 W6 W8 D2 L1 2.5
5 Noah
Howe 10 L3 W10 D8 W9 2.5
6 Aedan
Taylor 11 L4 L3 W7 W8 2.0
7 Curtis
Johnson 11 L1 W9 L6 W10 2.0
8 Zac
Hinds 11 W9 L4 D5 L6 1.5
9 Koby
Sol Cruz 9 L8 L7 W10 L5 1.0
10 Bruce
Pandya 9 L2 L5 L9 L7 0.0
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