English Chess Forum

FIDE look to be slowly getting back to a normal state of affairs:

"FIDE is pleased to announce that an official bank account with Caixa Bank, one of the largest banks in Spain, has been opened. FIDE is extending its gratitude to Mr. Jose Claudio Vinas Racionero, President of the Catalonia Chess Federation for his invaluable assistance in this matter."

More detail on Caixa Bank here.

Chris Rice wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 10, 2019 10:30 am

FIDE look to be slowly getting back to a normal state of affairs:

"FIDE is pleased to announce that an official bank account with Caixa Bank, one of the largest banks in Spain, has been opened. FIDE is extending its gratitude to Mr. Jose Claudio Vinas Racionero, President of the Catalonia Chess Federation for his invaluable assistance in this matter."

More detail on Caixa Bank here.

Caixa is a nice echo of Caissa, goddess of chess. Hope it's a good omen. Looks good to have a high-ranking bank contact in Snr Racionero (cf Sir Jeremy Morse) - not that I know anything about him.

Chris Rice wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 10, 2019 10:30 am

More detail on Caixa Bank here.

I believe the investigation for allegedly
laundering money for Chinese organised crime is ongoing

Neatly explaining how FIDE got the account opened?

JustinHorton wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 10, 2019 1:20 pm

I believe the investigation for allegedly
laundering money for Chinese organised crime is ongoing

You want FIDE to find an EU bank which isn't involved in money laundering? They can't do miracles.

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 11, 2019 12:51 am

You want FIDE to find an EU bank which isn't involved in money laundering?

Yes

Clean Hands FIDE?

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 11, 2019 8:14 am

Yes

Perhaps you could provide a clue, because I wouldn't know where to start. Maybe some small local bank, but they tend to turn down international business - largely because of AML paperwork!

Some trumpet blowing in New FIDE: first 100 days.

Chris Rice wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 18, 2019 12:06 am

Some trumpet blowing in New FIDE: first 100 days.

"• Thousands of inquiries sent to the FIDE office and management were answered timely and candidly"

That is a remarkable statistic. I wonder what they were about.

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 18, 2019 12:16 am

Chris Rice wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 18, 2019 12:06 am

Some trumpet blowing in New FIDE: first 100 days.

"• Thousands of inquiries sent to the FIDE office and management were answered timely and candidly"

That is a remarkable statistic. I wonder what they were about.

Really? I would have thought "thousands of inquiries" is very believable and FIDE have always been very responsive in my experience.

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 18, 2019 12:16 am

"• Thousands of inquiries sent to the FIDE office and management were answered timely and candidly".That is a remarkable statistic. I wonder what they were about

Game fee, and the ECF compulsory membership scheme

John McMorrow wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 18, 2019 1:13 pm

Really? I would have thought "thousands of inquiries" is very believable and FIDE have always been very responsive in my experience.

What sorts of things have you asked about?

In the past 100 days? I've asked about the bank account situation, congratulated the new President, asked for there to be more online Arbiter courses in English, and queried the cost of running an arbiter seminar in Dublin. Separate from inquiries, I also processed a transfer and sent in 2 norms - which were dealt with as speedily as usual.

John McMorrow wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 18, 2019 6:14 pm

asked for there to be more online Arbiter courses in English, and queried the cost of running an arbiter seminar in Dublin.

This sort of enquiry that might have been better directed to Laurent Freyd directly, rather than going via the Office. I realise the Office is the public face of the organisation, but if it's about Commission business it can't hurt to use the FIDE Directory to go straight to the people at the pointy end.

Alex Holowczak wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 19, 2019 12:08 am

This sort of enquiry that might have been better directed to Laurent Freyd directly, rather than going via the Office. I realise the Office is the public face of the organisation, but if it's about Commission business it can't hurt to use the FIDE Directory to go straight to the people at the pointy end.

That is pretty much what I said when I questioned the value of the "Ask a Director" facility on the ECF website. If I remember correctly, you responded that many people wouldn't be capable of looking up an ECF Director's email address.

That would not of course be true of John McMorrow, but please bear in mind that Laurent Freyd's appointment was only announced on about Day 80 of the 100 day period.