Open Letter from the Dutch Federation to FIDE

To the members of the FIDE Executive Board

Proposals Events Commission
11/AZaz/1102/JB
21 September 2011

Dear Mr. President, dear Board Members,

It is with great concern that we have taken note of the proposals of the Events Commission for the Executive Board Meeting in Krakow. We feel that the interests of both chess players and chess organizers will be severely harmed if these proposal were to be accepted. And what is more we think that these proposals are a direct threat to the FIDE rating system – a system that is one of the great success stories of FIDE.

Some years ago the expansion of the FIDE rating system to a larger group of players was discussed in the FIDE Congress. At the time, the Presidential Board assured the delegates that the expansion of the rating system would not lead to higher costs for federations or players.

Accepting the proposals of the Events Commission to the Executive Board in Krakow would mean a drastic breach of promise. Studying the proposals it becomes obvious that the tariffs are raised dramatically.

Curiously, the proposals lack any explanation on the necessity of these plans. The income and
expenses of FIDE in 2010 were balanced, the administrative costs of the rating process are within the limits of the budget and the proposals do not include a higher standard of service.

Indeed, a general philosophy behind the plans is lacking, and, while the present financial situation of FIDE seems healthy enough, there are no reasons given for the excessive increase in tariffs.

Please see the attachment for a detailed explanation of the consequences of the proposals.

In conclusion, we would like to summarize:

– The proposals will raise the costs for players, organizers and federations excessively.
– The proposals lack any explanation regarding the necessity of these substantial raises in
tariffs. Indeed, no coherent vision is presented.
– The proposals will not bring the ‘customers’ a higher standard of service. The product
remains the same, but the prices are multiplied with a factor 2 or 3.
– The proposals will lead to more bureaucracy and administrative complications; money will
have to be transferred back and forth between players, FIDE and national federations.
– The proposals will erode the FIDE rating system, since many tournaments that are now
rated will drop out for financial reasons. Likewise, many chess players will not buy a license
and will not be rated in the future.

In the interest of the global chess community, we call on the members of the Executive Board of
FIDE to turn down these proposals of the Events Commission in the meeting in Krakow.

Yours sincerely,
ROYAL DUTCH CHESS FEDERATION (KNSB)

Eddy Schuyer
President KNSB

Herman Hamers
FIDE Delegate KNSB

More here: http://www.schaakbond.nl