How to solve the FIDE voting and membership dilemma
By Niels Lauritsen
For several decades the global chess scenario has experienced discussions,
laments and complaints about weak chess federations having the same say, the
exact same one vote, at the FIDE general assembly, whether they are huge national
federations or just mere self-appointed briefcase units without proper accountability,
members, tournaments or chess development goals. Naturally there is injustice
in this. The practice whereby the FIDE presidency (current as well as former)
obtain votes from some weakly governed and poorly accountable chess federations
is offensive to many bona fide federations and could ultimately risk to divide
the chess world altogether.
But instead of only pointing fingers, also the FIDE motto of unity should be
respected. There is no reason for these continued abuses, if some basic criteria
for membership and voting rights can be put in place. And that sooner than later.
It is important that such universal criteria are applied to ALL federations,
not only to a group of members currently eyed as for sale or corrupt. In this
way we avoid to discriminate due to geography or color and instead establish
a set of truly universal standards.
First we observe that FIDE does not have any helpful conditions for becoming
a member and obtain voting rights. There are no criteria in place to distinguish
well-functioning from weak members, bona fide from fake. It is now high time
that this situation is changed.
In my opinion, a proper chess federation should have:
- a clear and relevant constitution
- updated list of members and clubs
- annual AGM with presentation of written annual report and financial report
- audited finances if required by the constitution
- annually updated list of assets, chess equipment and books as part of the
annual financial reporting
- rating or ranking list of competitive players
- at least one FIDE rated tournament a year
- A physical place for office, preferably including library and store
In addition, the chess federation should operate a website, which displays
- current executive board positions
- contact addresses and location of office and clubs
- minutes and documents from the latest AGM
I am sure that many of the FIDE member federations will find these requirements
tedious and boring. “of course – what else is new?” will be
the reaction. But these basic requirements are certainly not obvious or in place
in a number of federations. Potential well-wishers cannot support these as long
as there is no accountability or transparency, as the support will just be wasted.
As long as some officials are the main beneficiaries themselves from the limited
resources and assets available, there is likely not the WILL to change for the
better.
I know several chess federations who cannot currently fulfill even one of the
above listed criteria or bullets. And there are some who can only scrape through
on one or two of the bullets only. Yet these federations, without recorded members,
without accountability, without vision, trod to the FIDE assembly and vote every
four years, almost en block, to the increasing anguish of many big federations
who wish for higher standards. This is the basic rot of the current situation.
These chess officials are not competent, yet they cling to their positions.
How to change that? Their chess fraternity must instead elect some new competent
officials, who can deliver their federation to become a class A member of FIDE.
How to do that?
Simply by having a minimum set of criteria for being a full and voting member
of FIDE, applying the above bullets as minimum standards for full membership,
this will greatly improve accountability and transparency. Tensions will ease,
normality and FIDE motto will prevail. It is not costly or rocket science. And
in some cases, it is just to insist that the federation must adhere to its own
constitution as earlier formulated!
The practice of dishing out clocks, sets, individual presents and vague promises
of chess in school campaigns is counterproductive. Instead, FIDE and friendly
supporters should help and support B-membership federations to establish a proper
governance for themselves, in order to upgrade to A-member status and voting
rights.
To make sure that true development and accountability is pushed forward, FIDE
should inform the governments which currently recognize chess as a sport and
eligible for support that FIDE has approved a set of criteria and standards
for becoming full members of FIDE.
This proposal will require much more discussion. And of course flexibility
as well. The players and teams from the B-member federations should still be
allowed to participate fully in FIDE and other chess events as hereto practiced.
The processes should be open and honest, and no-one should hide behind empty
rhetoric or excuses. I am sure that the rank and file of chess players worldwide
will welcome these measures without hesitation. If the current FIDE regime would
be reluctant to push for such reforms, I leave you to speculate on the reason.
Please note that by requiring all chess federations to become transparent and
accountable will greatly boost the forces of change and sincere chess development
which is currently being hampered or suppressed in a number of national chess
federations. It is the best thing to do, really. It will also assure the public
and the supporting government structures that all is well in their chess environments.
There could even be a spill-over effect to other similar federations and sports,
especially in countries where chess is recognized as a sport to be supported
by the government but nevertheless languish through incompetent authorities
and self-appointed and -serving chess officials. Hit them with demands of transparency
and accountability. Powerful moves!
You can send us your opinion using the Feedback button on
the left.
Please give "FIDE voting" as your subject line, otherwise you letter
might be missed.
Niels Lauritsen, 64, from Denmark, currently works for the
Red Cross in Malawi. He is a senior international master in correspondence chess.
When not somewhere in Africa, he plays in the OBRO chess club in Copenhagen.
Niels has been involved in promoting chess for many years. He has a unique insight
in what ticks and what hampers the development of weak chess federations.