Tuesday bits and pieces
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
Some important news came of the FIDE Presidential Board meeting that just finished in Al Ain. First a ”modernization” committee has been set up to–yes, you guess it (!)– ”modernize” FIDE. A report is expected back sometime before the end of the year. It is widely expected that most of the changes will be cosmetic, and that those in power before the ”modernization” will still be in power after the ”modernization”….
(The CFC will not likely be affected by the new rating floor of 1000 : with the new changes the CFC has implemented to its rating system, no member has a rating less than 2900)
Some important news came of the FIDE Presidential Board meeting that just finished in Al Ain. First a ”modernization” committee has been set up to–yes, you guess it (!)– ”modernize” FIDE. A report is expected back sometime before the end of the year. It is widely expected that most of the changes will be cosmetic, and that those in power before the ”modernization” will still be in power after the ”modernization”….
Modernized American Gothic
FIDE RATING FLOOR TO DROP TO 1000
The FIDE Presidential Board in Al Ain decided to implement the recommendation of the Qualification Chairman and Rating Administrator to lower the rating floor to 1000 and produce the rating list on a monthly basis.
It was agreed that this should come into effect from July 1st 2012. With that decision the FIDE ratings are moving a step closer to the live top
This is bad news for chess federations and the like who have their own rating system. Rating systems are important assets: they generate funds that federations need to operate and to help bankroll its programs. Should FIDE use its considerable weight and influence–and get its way–we will soon be looking at a single rating system thru-out the entire chess world.
CFC ELECTION TIME IN FULL SWING!
The annual CFC contest of musical chairs amongst the CFC executive members began last week . The rules are simple enough: everyone stands; the music starts; and when it ends the person left standing (without a chair, ofcourse) becomes the President. This procedure is repeated until every position of the executive is filled.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_mb_c8su7k]
NEW CFC WEBSITE TO OPEN IN APRIL MAY FUTURE
The CFC allocated $18,000 for a new website some 6-months ago. This writer was given a glimpse of the new site just the other day, and it looks great. It is expected to open sometime before the end of the year, or by the time the money has been spent up. More details later.
Bids deadline for Anand – Gelfand 2012 extended
This should surprise nobody. FIDE reported that no bid has come in for the 2012 World Championship match between Anand and Gelfand. The bid deadline was extended to August of this year, when it might be extended again should the status remain unchanged. Minimum bids must include a $1,000,000 purse.
My spies in the CFC have informed me of the possibility of the CFC bidding: the match would take place in Guelph at the University Library. It would be CFC, FIDE ,FQE and CMA rated. The winner would get $750,000; the loser $250,000. Entry fee: $600,000 per player.
