FIDE Congress - Turkey

[Alex Toolsie]

Hi everyone,

Was just wondering if the CFC is sending someone to Turkey to attend the upcoming 84th FIDE Congress?

[Hal Bond]

Expect so

I expect to attend Alex. Not sure how to pay for it yet though!

[Kerry Liles]

Re: Expect so

I expect to attend Alex. Not sure how to pay for it yet though!

In my opinion, the CFC should pay for a significant portion of it... however, I have no idea if they have ever done so - it would be interesting to know what portion of the travel expenses have been covered in the past (before you became FIDE representative ...)

[Bob Armstrong]

The CFC Budget Process??

Hi Kerry:

From my discussions with past FIDE reps Phil Haley, and Maurice Smith, and Michal Barron, I think the FIDE rep has covered their own expenses if they have attended out-of-country FIDE functions. And there is no money allowed for such expenses, or part thereof , in my knowledge, in the 2011-12 budget( fiscal year end is April 30, so I guess it could be raised by a governor in the next budget deliberations which should commence shortly I would think, to give lots of lead time to governors to chew over suggestions for the budget - a draft budget will normally be presented by the existing exec., prior to the fiscal year end, to be voted on before the fiscal year end ).

I would note that the Cooperative Chess Coalition ( CCC ) has been trying to get a discussion started , without success ( we posted our discussion paper on it, with no one proposing what should be in the Handbook, just criticizing one of the options ), on what needs to be put into the CFC Handbook on the budget process - there is not one thing said!! What organization runs like this??

Bob A, CCC Coordinator

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Expect so

In my opinion, the CFC should pay for a significant portion of it... however, I have no idea if they have ever done so - it would be interesting to know what portion of the travel expenses have been covered in the past (before you became FIDE representative ...)

Is the meeting so important we have to have someone there?

[Kerry Liles]

Re: Expect so

Is the meeting so important we have to have someone there?

We might find out after the meeting.

[Bob Armstrong]

Re: Expect so

We might find out after the meeting.

Hi Kerry:

Like losing our Canadian single zone status??!!

Bob A

[Kerry Liles]

Re: Expect so

Hi Kerry:

Like losing our Canadian single zone status??!!

Bob A

I suppose anything is possible with FIDE and the IllusionOf, so that is one possibility. I am clearly not a big fan of the current FIDE, but I think if the CFC is the only sanctioned representative of FIDE for Canada, the CFC should at least make a decent commitment to be represented within FIDE. I don't think it is reasonable to expect Hal (or anyone) to foot the bill...

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Expect so

Realistically, the CFC doesn't have very many members. Cut out the life members, because all they get is the investment portion, and the honorary members and it's even less paying members.

As someone who organized over the board and 10 years of Correspondence chess, and recruited many members over those years, I learned the idea is to use money mostly for the programs rather than for administration. Chess is like life. It's here and it's now and it's what we make of it.

There's an Olympiad coming up and other events and players who could use the money for travel to FIDE events. Personally, I figure if there is enough money for a flying squad of executives to hob nob with the elite of the chess world at exotic locations around the world there shouldn't be any problem in funding the programs.

[Alex Toolsie]

Re: Expect so

I expect to attend Alex. Not sure how to pay for it yet though!

That's awesome Hal. I would say that the CFC should probably fund your trip as it is the primary beneficiary of your attendance.

Out of curiosity, do you know any matters that will need to be voted on, or what the subjects to be discussed at the Congress will be?

I think you are a fine representative for Canada, and have my complete support and fullest confidence.

[Jean Hébert]

Re: Expect so

Hi Kerry:

Like losing our Canadian single zone status??!!

Bob A

This is an old ghost used to scare canadian players. It is hard to figure who would welcome Canada in their zone. The US don't want to have to bother with us. But even if Canada would lose its zonal status it would not be such a bid deal. Chess life here would change very little, except that the Canadian championship would have somehow to stand on its own.

[Kerry Liles]

Re: Expect so

This is an old ghost used to scare canadian players. It is hard to figure who would welcome Canada in their zone. The US don't want to have to bother with us. But even if Canada would lose its zonal status it would not be such a bid deal. Chess life here would change very little, except that the Canadian championship would have somehow to stand on its own.

I would have to agree - I cannot think of anything that has happened as a result of Canada being a distinct zone in FIDE ...

[Jean Hébert]

Re: Expect so

I would have to agree - I cannot think of anything that has happened as a result of Canada being a distinct zone in FIDE ...

Yes one thing has happened : some relatively easy IM and FM titles coming from the Zonals. Whether this is good or bad is highly arguable. Without those devalued titles coming from the Zonal, canadian chess would have had to organize more proprer international events to produce the desired titles or to arrange trips abroad for its promising players.
As it is, the CFC is hardly in a position to finance the FIDE rep trips to each and every FIDE meetings, considering how little is really at stake. This would be a luxury hardly justifiable.

[Jonathan Berry]

Re: FIDE Congress - Turkey

In my day, CFC's representatives to FIDE, such as John Prentice, paid their own way. However, they did receive a benefit from the CFC, which was a tax receipt for the Economy portion of their expenses. The CFC "would have" paid for those trips (though obviously not First Class travel), if it could have afforded to.

Now that the CFC has allowed its tax-deductible status to be cancelled, tax receipts can no longer happen.

I'm an outsider now, so I don't know all the facts. However, that does not stop anybody on chesstalk. I'd be inclined to suggest that the CFC should not spend its money on sending a FIDE rep to international meetings. CFC has half the membership it had in 1980, a time when it felt it could not afford to send a FIDE Rep. So I think that our rep should be--as it was until recently--somebody who can afford to carry the expense him- or her- self. And enjoy the experience.

I've occasionally attended FIDE meetings at my own expense, though not recently. My hurdle is that I do not like it. For anybody who is considering it, those rascals at FIDE are mostly likeable rascals.

Another approach would be to accept nominations on a rotating basis from Provincial Associations that are able to sponsor such a rep. Perhaps the ACA and the FQE. I think we need to get with the message that the Feds have been trying to give us since 1948: in this confederation, chess is a provincial thing. If Alberta or Québec give us a fresh reality to representing Canada at FIDE, so be it.

I agree with Jean Hébert's comments on Canada's FIDE Zonal status.

[Hal Bond]

Re: FIDE Congress - Turkey

Jonathan is right - the FIDE REP's have always paid their own way. Other than Prentice, each has bemoaned this fact of life.

For my part, I have now attended the 4 Congresses from 2008 - 2011. The CFC paid nothing for the first 3. In 2011 the CFC contributed $1000 toward the trip.

In 2009 our Zonal status was in trouble, mainly due to India's Zonal ambitions and our perceived inactivity. Nigel Freeman came to Ottawa and told us it was practically a done deal. The general plan was to dump us somewhere in the Caribbean. My predecessors were all consulted and the message I received was that we should fight this proposal tooth and nail. I was able to mobilize support from FIDE America and anyone else who would listen. When push came to shove the motion was not presented to the General Assembly.

Being a FIDE Zone is admittedly double edged. Cost is one challenge. As a Zonal President I attend Congresses every year instead of just Olympic years. Our Zonal Championships cost $750 each and in 2014 we will start paying $400 per year in Zonal fees. On the plus side, IM and FM titles are earnable at our Zonal Championships, our champions are seeded directly into the World Cup (where every participant takes home a minimum of $3-4K after hotel expenses), and our Seniors Champion receives full room and board at the World Seniors Championship.

Then there is some degree of intangible prestige/cred. We share this single country zone status with USA, Russia, Ukraine and China. Is it all worth it? Sometimes I do wonder.