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The ACP - FIDE meeting

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ACP [Fri May 27th, 16:26]

FIDE - ACP MEETING

FIDE office, Athens,
24.05.2005
reported by Pavel Tregubov

I. Duration: 4 hours

II. Attendance

From FIDE:
G. Makropoulos (Deputy President)
Z. Azmaiparashvili (Vice-President)
I. Gelfer (Executive Board member)

From ACP:
J. Lautier (President)
P. Tregubov (Board member)

III. The following subjects were discussed:

A) Anti-doping control

ACP representatives (hereinafter ACP) consider that the current doping-list as well as the regulations of players control (too severe) are not fully adapted to chess. FIDE representatives (hereinafter FIDE) agree to have a meeting with Dr Jana Bellin to investigate this question and possibly to produce an adequate doping-list to be submitted to IOC.
FIDE notes that the introduction of anti-doping control in chess is necessary in order to move towards the Olympic family. At the moment chess is a member of the recently created organization "Mind sports" within GAISF (General Association of International Sport Federation, recognized by IOC). "Mind sports" unites chess, checkers, go and bridge federations and is headed by Mr. Damiani (President of the International Bridge Federation).

B) Anti-computer and anti-mobile devices control

ACP offers to use metal detectors during FIDE official tournaments and to impose strong sanctions on cheaters. FIDE agrees.
The decision to create a joint commission (hereinafter JC) between FIDE and ACP is taken. The purpose of JC is to discuss and to help with solving current problems of the chess world.
This commission will consist of all the participants to the present meeting and, if necessary, additional FIDE or ACP representatives. ACP is to prepare proposals for JC on anti-computer and anti-mobile devices control.

C) Fighting pre-arranged tournaments

ACP is to prepare proposals for JC on this subject.

D) Cooperation on rules

ACP expresses its concern about FIDE new rule forbidding writing down the move on the score sheet before playing it on the board.
FIDE states that players' opinions on chess rules are welcome.
ACP is to prepare proposals for JC on this subject.

E) Official hotels

ACP supports the abolishment of the official hotels rule, following in ECU's example.
FIDE is still in favour of this rule for two principal reasons:
- FIDE is not able to grant security for players who choose not to stay in the official hotel;
- In order to get a significant discount on room prices and hotel facilities, tournament organisers must reserve for a large number of players.
FIDE stresses, however, that the hotel prices should be kept under firm control by FIDE.
ACP agrees and asks to be informed about the hotel prices in FIDE official events before they are announced.
FIDE agrees.

F) Time-control

Further to the results of the poll held by ACP last year, ACP offers to go back to the classical 7-hours time-control.
FIDE refuses and gives two arguments:
- FIDE control is getting more popular among players: it now has more supporters than before as they are getting used to it and female players prefer this control to the classical one.
- FIDE control is more attractive for media and spectators.
FIDE is therefore going to use its time control for the next World Cup. Nevertheless the most important stages of the next World Championship cycle (Last Chance tournament and Matches) will be held with the 7-hours control.
ACP mentions that currently all tournaments use different time controls and players should permanently adapt themselves to a new control.
To reduce the choice and make it more convenient for players, FIDE will recommend to all organizers to use only one of the following two controls:
- FIDE official control: (90'/40 + 15') 30" starting from move 1
- 7-hours control: (100'/40 + 50'/20 + 15') 30" starting from move 1
( for those events which don't have electronic clocks it means:
110'/40 + 30'
120'/40 + 60'/20 + 30')
This recommendation will be made in August during FIDE Presidential Executive Board Meeting in Dresden.

G) Fighting short draws: Sofia experience

ACP considers that some innovations can be introduced into the rules to fight short draws. "Sofia rule" could be one of possible solutions. FIDE shares ACP's position.
ACP is to prepare proposals for JC on this subject.
FIDE considers that the opinions of the top 30-40 players and particularly those who played in Sofia should be taken into consideration.

H) Next World Championship, Argentina

FIDE informs ACP that organisers fulfilled all financial requirements and all players already signed their Undertakings.

I) Future World Championship Cycles

1. Schedule

FIDE is going to held WCC stages as follows:
- World Cup (1 572 000 $ prize fund) – December 2005;
- Last Chance Super tournament ( LCT) – April 2006;
- Matches – from August 2006.

2. Zonal tournaments

ACP suggests to abolish Zonals as the players taking part there get two chances to qualify whereas the others have only one – through Continental Championships. FIDE will carefully examine this idea.

3. Continental Championships

ACP considers that the cancellation of +2400 rule for the European Championship damages the tournament's status.
FIDE agrees that ACP should be consulted before such a decision is taken and will contact ECU to ask for negotiation of all-important rules' changes with JC in the future.
ACP is to prepare proposals on this matter for JC.

4. Players' Undertakings

FIDE position is the following:
- as FIDE is not a commercial organization, it cannot offer contracts to players;
- for the Last Chance Super tournament and matches, where the number of players is limited, contracts will be signed between organisers and players directly;
- for the World Cup tournament (KO), a contract between FIDE and organisers will be added as annex in players' undertakings;
- organizers of future events might have to subscribe to insurances, which would cover the case of one of the players not showing up for the event because of force majeure, as in this case sponsor cannot be expected to give the full amount;
- if the sponsor cannot hold the event, the money given as guarantee to FIDE (currently 30% of total prize fund) should partly go to players to compensate them for lost opportunities.
ACP agrees with this position.

J) ELO rating system

FIDE expresses its willingness to improve the current ELO rating system. In its opinion some changes should be made, for example it should become more dynamic.
ACP agrees and adds that inactive players should lose rating points. FIDE agrees. Also the idea of changing the K factor in the rating list was examined and referred to the joint commission.
ACP is to prepare proposals for JC.

IV. Conclusion

A. Both sides, FIDE and ACP, agree that progress has been made and are satisfied with the results of the meeting.

B. The next meeting of JC is planned on 12-13 July 2005 in the FIDE office in Athens.

C. It is agreed to hold JC meetings on a regular basis.