PRESIDENT H.E. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
CREATION DATE 1924
NUMBER OF AFFILIATED NATIONAL FEDERATIONS 156
FIDE – Uniting the Chess World
Founded in Paris on 20 July 1924, the World Chess Federation (Federation Internationale des Echecs, known as FIDE from its French acronym) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the supreme body, responsible for the organization of chess and its championships at global and continental levels. Following its recognition as an International Organization in 1989, FIDE was recognized by the IOC in June 1999 as an International Sports Federation.
Prior to the founding of FIDE, chess had existed as a sport played at competitive level for centuries. In its over 2000 years history from its origins in India and outlying countries in Asia, the game had undergone a series of changes and metamorphosed into its present day from by the 15th century. In those days, there was no common code governing the Laws of Chess or uniform regulations for international competitions, the only binding forces were that it was a gentleman`s sport in which the players were expected to act in a certain form of decorum and the enduring beauty of the game to its practitioners.
Today, FIDE with a membership of 161 countries, is one of the most dynamic sports organizations in the world. It brings together men and women of different races, creeds and political persuasion as it carries out its main task of developing the activities of millions of chess players around the world.
The purpose and aim of FIDE are the diffusion and development of chess among all nations of the world, as well as the raising of the level of chess culture and knowledge on a sporting, scientific, creative and cultural basis.
FIDE supports a close international cooperation of the chess devotees in all fields of chess activity, thereby also aiming to improve friendly harmony among peoples.
FIDE issues the rules of chess and the provisions pertaining to the organization of the Chess Olympiad, World Championships and all other FIDE competitions. It awards the international chess titles of Grandmaster, International Master, FIDE Master, Woman Grandmaster, Woman International Master, FIDE Woman Master, International Arbiter and other titles.
Are you happy with the current state of world chess?
How would you rate the performance of FIDE? 
If the primary goal of any chess organization (FIDE, USCF, etc.) is the promotion of the game, then we are essentially speaking about public perception and relations, are we not? If so, then the salient questions are how both the chess playing world and those who do not play but might be interested perceive and evaluate the world’s chess governing body.
It is not an easy task to explain to someone who is not familiar with chess that there are two – sort of, kind of – World Chess Champions and that the rules for how that title is decided change all the time and that politics and money often trump what is best for the players and the game itself.
I do not place USCF above this kind of criticism, either. I’ve been a member since 1972, and there have been numerous financial problems, personality conflicts, counterproductive decisions (like, where is the US women’s team for the next Chess Olympiad…??), and
hints of corruption during that time. Granted, the average neophyte player may not care a lot about these problems at first, but they do not provide a positive overall perception of the game we enjoy.
As it stands right now, “gens una sumus” is often an empty rhetorical slogan not being fulfilled by those in charge of promoting the game worldwide.
Well said gad! Well said!
Their most improtant funcions are choosing a world champion and promoting chess.
They have failed.
It seems that the FIDE leadership treats the organization as a fiefdom. They listened to input from the Association of Chess Professionals, then put together a joint statement to the effect that the next world championship cycle would follow a certain plan. Then after the San Luis tournament, suddenly the plan changed. Hey wait! With whom did they consult? Well, the FIDE leadership said they had consulted with the ACP and with the players at San Luis. Then the ACP denies having been consulted, and suddenly the FIDE VP Makropoulos confirms that. The impression is that the top FIDE leadership thinks: “we get to do whatever we think is best for chess, we can break our previous commitments any time we want, and we only have to go through the pretense of consulting others.” This is a very unhealthy state of affairs.
I am not happy with the state of world chess and I give FIDE a C+.
Susan, looks like you just got spammed! You might consider adding word verification to avoid that happening to you in the future.
Tommy says:
gad,
I joined USCF as a life member in 1972. those were great exciting days. Bobby fischer going to play for the world championship.
I remember all the stores were selling chess sets. incredible. Then later they sold out and never have they had a chess set since then.
The chess club was full to over flowing. I had to show up early to get a seat or table to play. and we used to have free chess lessons before the play began. it was a great time for making great friendships. I still remember one game in particular that I won. the guy stormed out yelling he could not lose to such an idiot as me. I was a lower rated player and worked hard at the game and was getting better.
Everyone showed up every Wednesday for the club. My daughter even came with me a few times because I had to baby sit that day. and no one was going to miss chess club day.
I also remember my first uscf tournament. wow. it was overflowing also. the rooms were packed and out into the halls. but we all got to play. it was 5 rounds. and I played every day at work over lunch period. so I thought I was getting pretty good. but I lost the first 4 games. I was at a loss. determined that I could win a game. i really decided to work at it. my opponent had lost all 4 of his games too. well I really started to watch how the knight moved because the knight kept forking me and I kept losing the first 4 games that way. well it was really hard work to check out all the knight moves. but with hard work and determination I managed to win my first uscf game. It really felt great. but I was so exhausted. I walked into the edge of the door leaving the playing hall. walked into it pretty hard. but I just left. I could hardly walk or drive home I was so exhausted.
that was a memorable tournament. all day sat and sunday. 1972 what a great year for chess.
Tommy
FIDE has fallen way short of promoting chess to the young & gifted, and GM’s as well. Kirsan and his “gentlemen” have made no provisions for the future of chess players (i.e. player sponsorship; LOTS of regular tourneys). Granted one doesn’t see masters/GM’s with a big Nike endorsement, but is FIDE even trying?
Everything went downhill after Euwe stepped down as president.Euwe did a lot for chess & even bent the rules a bit to ensure the Ficher-Spassky match tookplace despite all the circus incidents before the opening game.
Clearly all these compromising and rules bending set a precedent which cannot be reversed. Compopanes (is this how you spell it?) was bad but Iliumzhinov sucks bad! GK just helped make things even worse. He may have gifted us with many great games & performances, but I’m glad he has retired. Good riddance to him.
Here’s to a new FIDE president & an improvement of things in our chess world.
HOw can anyone be happy? But now with a dominant player like Topalov…I’m finally seeing the daylight. Mr Kramnik has consistently avoided tha hardest challenges and has effectively removed himself from serious contention. His claim to the title is about as valid as Fischers.
Sorry..play the best or die looking like a chicken..which unfortunately is what he chooses to do. I guess perhaps he’ll play Korchnoin in Brazil in 06 for the title?? nice….what a champ…chump..chimp…whatever.
Its sad the path this man has chosen but there is good news…..a new chess decimator….Mr TOPALOV!! and the chess world needs him very much. COngrats to Mr Topalov and keep it coming…dont chicken out like Mr Kramnik and hide from real challenges.
FIDE is just a collection of Amatuer Chess Politicians trying to be all things to everyone. It is so short of cash and so full of corruption that nothing ever changes for the better. The ACP has a real chance of becoming the voice for Chess professionals, but Frankly it just comes off sounding like a whiney brat complaining about tournament conditions and Hotel rates. I say leave FIDE to the amatuers and let the pros organize in some way that is meaningful to promote the interest of the professional player. First amoung these problems is arranging a means of determining the title Professional Player. In the oriental game of Go, there is a very long and difficult tournament in which only the top three including ties get the title professional. This would of course mean that the old FIDE title Grandmaster wouldn’t automatically confer or infer professional status. It would put a real stamp of approval upon a player. The professional player should not have to depend on prize money for a livelihood, that is like gambling. FIDE just is not equipped to deal with professionalism in chess. Susan & Paul, is it possible to set up a model in the United States whereby there are real RR tournaments for professional players throughout the country and not just in Las Vegas, New York and Chicago. Or Do you think the US is doomed to mediocrity in this regard, as compared to Europe or Russia?
Fide has serious problems in decision
making esp. for the world champion title match( or touney).
the style of competition and the time control changes every year.
The first step is to have a stable and acceptable schedule.
I think that Fide has weakness in
responsibles.