REGULATIONS ON REGISTRATION & LICENSING OF PLAYERS

[Roger de Coverly]

I think it's outrageous that the ECF doesn't challenge such decisions by bringing proceedings in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

It should challenge decisions. That doesn't have to involve resorting to the CAS, nor did it in the Vice-Presidents issue. Noting that the original letter about the VP issue had been rejected should have been the next stage. Instead of which, the ECF Board "forgot" to mention it at not one but two formal meetings with the voting membership, to say nothing of failing to disclose it in the formal accounts.

[Sean Hewitt]

I think it's outrageous that the ECF doesn't challenge such decisions by bringing proceedings in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

It should challenge decisions.

Perhaps it is doing so already?

In the meantime, what would you have the ECF do?

a - Tell organisers what is happening so that they can ensure events continue to be rated

or

b - Keep quiet, and hope no-one notices when FIDE won't accept non-compliant rating files?

[Kevin Thurlow]

If ECF is challenging the edict, it might be wise to announce it, partly to inform the membership, and partly to save everybody's time, viz.

1) FIDE issues edict
2) ECF announces this and questions FIDE about it
3) People grumble about edict and blame ECF
4) ECF get annoyed that people are grumbling
5) Huge amount of mudslinging ensues on forum
6) Rest of us lose will to live, stop organising tournaments, and take up Settlers of Catan instead

It stops at point 2 if ECF says "this is new FIDE edict, and you must comply, but we're asking them if they're completely insane, and questioning the legality of the ruling".

[Adam Raoof]

I agree that it is better to know, and as soon as possible.

I have edited my advice to players entering Golders Green and Hampstead thus:

http://goldersgreenchess.blogspot.co.uk ... nline.html

and I don't think it will be too much of a problem to satisfy the ECF and FIDE - luckily most players who come to our events already have a FIN. Those non-ENG players without a FIN are the issue - we'll have to see how it goes! If they want to play and can't get their Federation to give them a FIN because they are narmally resident in the UK, perhaps the safest course is to make them ENG.

[Sean Hewitt]

If they want to play and can't get their Federation to give them a FIN because they are narmally resident in the UK, perhaps the safest course is to make them ENG.

That's true. They'll be subject to the ECF membership rules and payment of €250 to FIDE if they want to change federations so it's really important for them to get this right.

[Sean Hewitt]

If ECF is challenging the edict, it might be wise to announce it, partly to inform the membership, and partly to save everybody's time, viz.

1) FIDE issues edict
2) ECF announces this and questions FIDE about it
3) People grumble about edict and blame ECF
4) ECF get annoyed that people are grumbling
5) Huge amount of mudslinging ensues on forum
6) Rest of us lose will to live, stop organising tournaments, and take up Settlers of Catan instead

It stops at point 2 if ECF says "this is new FIDE edict, and you must comply, but we're asking them if they're completely insane, and questioning the legality of the ruling".

Only an idiot would blame the ECF for this. Which doesn't mean that there aren't some people out there who will of course!

[Alex McFarlane]

f they want to play and can't get their Federation to give them a FIN because they are normally resident in the UK, perhaps the safest course is to make them ENG.

I assume you mean normally resident in England rather than the UK, otherwise you and the ECF will be stepping on the toes of other Federations.

I disagree that this is the 'safest'. A player would need to agree to this or you could find yourself in a small claims court paying for FIDE fees for those changing nationalities. The safest way is, unfortunately, to decline their entry.

[David Sedgwick]

If they want to play and can't get their Federation to give them a FIN because they are normally resident in the UK, perhaps the safest course is to make them ENG.

I assume you mean normally resident in England rather than the UK, otherwise you and the ECF will be stepping on the toes of other Federations.

I disagree that this is the 'safest'. A player would need to agree to this or you could find yourself in a small claims court paying for FIDE fees for those changing nationalities. The safest way is, unfortunately, to decline their entry.

I agree with Alex.

It's perhaps worth stressing, as Sean has mentioned up thread, that an incorrect initial designation can no longer be corrected free of charge. The transfer fee of €250 now applies.

Another option, of course, is to cease having an event FIDE rated.

[Adam Raoof]

It's perhaps worth stressing, as Sean has mentioned up thread, that an incorrect initial designation can no longer be corrected free of charge. The transfer fee of €250 now applies.

Another option, of course, is to cease having an event FIDE rated.

That would be a shame - I really think that it attracts players, new players and experienced players, at every time control. They appreciate the fact that it is possible to get a rating very quickly, and that it is updated regularly.

I will make sure my competitors are warned - in practice it is only likely to be a problem for a handful of players every year (keeps fingers crossed).

[David Sedgwick]

That would be a shame - I really think that it attracts players, new players and experienced players, at every time control. They appreciate the fact that it is possible to get a rating very quickly, and that it is updated regularly.

You mean people actually like having three different FIDE ratings, all or any of which can change each month?

How on earth do they remember them? I have enough trouble remembering my ECF grades now they change every six months.

(Yes, this is somewhat off topic.)

[Adam Raoof]

That would be a shame - I really think that it attracts players, new players and experienced players, at every time control. They appreciate the fact that it is possible to get a rating very quickly, and that it is updated regularly.

You mean people actually like having three different FIDE ratings, all or any of which can change each month?

How on earth do they remember them? I have enough trouble remembering my ECF grades now they change every six months.

(Yes, this is somewhat off topic.)

Apparently so - it is like collecting a set of cards... once you have a standard rating (from Hampstead) and blitz rating (from Hendon and Highgate), you just have to get a rapid rating (from Golders Green) to fill that gaping hole in your FIDE ID card.

[Roger de Coverly]

Another option, of course, is to cease having an event FIDE rated.

It's a test of whether the rating regulations make sense as to whether they are likely to prevent an event taking place, being rated or preventing players from taking part. The new undocumented FIDE Regulations coupled with arbiter licences are now acting as a disincentive. If it was the intention of extending the ratings to 1000 and rating Blitz and Rapid-play for nothing was to increase the number of events, this was only a part success if more onerous regulations are introduced in parallel.

A sensible approach for FIDE to adopt would be to remove the extortionate fee for changing Federation for new players. That way they could always default to being designated with and coded by the Federation in which the event took part. Alternatively, since this only applies to players in the waiting period of the first nine games, have a Federation designation of "unknown". The penalty being that players of "unknown" don't get a rating until their Federation is established.

[Mike Truran]

It's a test of whether the rating regulations make sense as to whether they are likely to prevent an event taking place, being rated or preventing players from taking part.

I accept it's only a minor example in respect of a small event attended by mainly local Oxfordshire players, but we're not going to FIDE rate the Witney Rapidplay on 29 September even though it would be free to do so - the bureaucracy and, more particularly, the risks involved just don't seem worth it.

[Adam Raoof]

From the Australian Chess Federation Newsletter, 27 Aug 2013

Important: FIDE ID Number Registration Requirements

FIDE have issued a warning that they will not accept tournaments for FIDE rating where those tournaments contain players who do not have FIDE ID numbers. Although new Australian players can be registered by the ACF national ratings officer, this does not apply to new players from overseas. Therefore, organisers should not immediately accept the entries of overseas players who lack FIDE ID numbers to FIDE rated tournaments; instead, those players should be required to first obtain a FIDE ID from their own national federation.

Tournaments submitted that include foreign players who do not have ID numbers may be rejected. Players without ID numbers should only be submitted as Australian if they are citizens or long-term residents; if a player is registered under the wrong country they may incur transfer costs later. For further information/clarification contact the ACF FIDE Ratings Officer Bill Gletsos <[email protected]>.

[MartinCarpenter]

Are you really sure about people being attracted by FIDE ratings?

Odd given how horribly unreliable they are for most people compared to their English grades. Inevitably so due to having many less games included of course. Still people aren't known to be rational