FIDE Announcement: Rapid and Blitz Ratings

[David Sedgwick]

The following announcement has been made on the FIDE website at http://www.fide.com/component/content/a ... tings.html:

"Thursday, 06 December 2012 06:33

FIDE encourages more federations to further popularize and organize more Rapid and Blitz tournaments. The QC, after consultation with the Treasurer, has agreed to defer payments for rating reports and rating fees for Rapid and Blitz tournaments until at least 1 January 2014. The QC will present its draft regulations for title awards for Rapid and Blitz at the 2013 Congress. We welcome ideas which must be submitted to [email protected] before 31 January 2013.

Ignatius Leong
QC Chairman"

Any views on Rapidplay and Blitz Titles?

I'll start the ball rolling by saying that I don't think they should exist at all. In my opinion titles should only be awarded for achievements in Standardplay events.

[Roger de Coverly]

FIDE encourages more federations to further popularize and organize more Rapid and Blitz tournaments..

Really? Then why does it require everyone who runs such an event to have a FIDE given photographic identity card and pay FIDE a fee?

It should read its own notices.

From http://arbiters.fide.com/

The FIDE Arbiters’ Commission intends to supply the Arbiters who will get the Arbiters’ license with identification cards that will indicate that they are licensed.

The main change because of the new regulations will be that from 01.01.2013, in order a tournament to be rated, all its Arbiters (IA, FA, National Arbiters) must be licensed.

A tournament with non-licensed Arbiters will not be rated.

[Adam Raoof]

The main change because of the new regulations will be that from 01.01.2013, in order a tournament to be rated, all its Arbiters (IA, FA, National Arbiters) must be licensed.

A tournament with non-licensed Arbiters will not be rated.

How do national arbiters become licensed FIDE arbiters without gaining experience, and arbiter norms, at FIDE rated events alongside licensed Arbiters?

[Niall Doran]

I wouldn't personally be in favour of Rapid and Blitz titles. I think that will create a sort of IM, GM inflation, with future Rapid or Blitz GMs calling themselves GMs but without specifying that they are "only" Rapid/Blitz GMs, thus muddying the waters something awful.

I also think that for most players, it'll be "nice" to have one of these titles, but I can't see many players working specifically towards getting them.

As for FIDE Rapid/Blitz ratings, I get the impression no-one really cares too much about them, which may explain the low demand and FIDE extending the deadline. I personally only care about one rating, my FIDE standard-play one.

[Alex McFarlane]

How do national arbiters become licensed FIDE arbiters without gaining experience, and arbiter norms, at FIDE rated events alongside licensed Arbiters?

I would assume that people would qualify first as ECF arbiters at non-rated events. I have long thought it odd that the ECF has proposed people for IA and FA titles who were not ECF/BCF arbiters. You could still help out at a FIDE rated event but not as an arbiter.

With regard to Blitz and Rapidplay titles, I assume FIDE will be looking for a fee for this. I wonder how many players will be willing to pay this?

An untitled player might be willing to buy an IM Blitz title but would it mean anything if the 'real' IMs boycott the title. Would an IM even want to be an FM Rapid?
I think this has very limited appeal.

[Sean Hewitt]

I have long thought it odd that the ECF has proposed people for IA and FA titles who were not ECF/BCF arbiters.

I didn't realise that the ECF proposed anyone for these titles. I understood that they took the exam, gained the requisite norms and experience and then made an application to FIDE through their Federation.

[Roger de Coverly]

I would assume that people would qualify first as ECF arbiters at non-rated events.

When the Blitz ratings first became available, Stewart Reuben suggested that internal club Blitz events could be included. If you had enough players with existing standard ratings and enough rounds to run an all play all, you could get everyone a rating.

But what of the requirements for the organiser? If it's mandatory to have an IA or FA present, that hampers the idea of rated local events as there are unlikely to be enough to go around. If it can be run by anyone, then there now an extra cost and aggravation of the organiser becoming a paid for "National Arbiter".

Perhaps then you will see tournaments run, as far as FIDE are concerned, by just the one person. Pairings can be done by computer program, so arbiter expertise isn't needed unless you wish to dispute or defend the pairings. If you play with an increment, you don't need 10.2 expertise.

The ECF may impose its own requirements on those deemed to acquire the National Arbiter title in the eyes of FIDE. As far as FIDE are concerned, aren't they only interested in the money for this title, with no qualification or performance standard necessary?

[David Sedgwick]

FIDE encourages more federations to further popularize and organize more Rapid and Blitz tournaments..

I didn't say that. Ignatius Leong did. I merely quoted him.

[Alex McFarlane]

I didn't realise that the ECF proposed anyone for these titles. I understood that they took the exam, gained the requisite norms and experience and then made an application to FIDE through their Federation.

It is difficult to see how earlier candidates had the appropriate experience if they failed or didn't sit the ECF arbiter exam. Certainly the requirement to sit an exam now for the FA title does help ensure a reasonable standard of arbiter. But I would still query the experience of someone who wasn't actively seeking a national arbiter title in Britain. I am not 'having a go' at a fairly recent example, indeed I did reports on that person! In that case there were two lots of exceptional circumstances (one local, one international).

[PaulTalbot]

Going back to rapid and blitz titles, I don't see a problem as long as the abbreviation shows this i.e. IMR or GMB

[Stewart Reuben]

The FIDE Presidential Board charged the Qualification Commission with the task of creating a rating system for bltz and rapidplay chess. This I mainly did, even then thinking it might not be successful. After all, rapidplay ratings were tried before and failed. It was I who recommended they continue the policy of not charging in 2013. The Poles won't register even the European Blitz Championship (!) because of the fear of future players' registration fees.
Blitz and Rapidplay titles? I share misgivings about confusion. But the FIDE Master title is very hard to explain to somebody who isn't into chess. 'What have dogs got to do with chess?' has been a genuine query. 2000+ for blitz or rapidplay international expert would cause no problems. It might be popular.

To be a 'national arbiter' is only 20 Euro. That person can submit the reports for many events. Blitz tournaments at club level I wouldn't organise as Swisses. Round robins are far easier. If you want a Swiss, then make it two games against the same oponent. It reduces the waiting time between games.

[Reg Clucas]

Any views on Rapidplay and Blitz Titles?

I'll start the ball rolling by saying that I don't think they should exist at all. In my opinion titles should only be awarded for achievements in Standardplay events.

I have to agree. In my view FIDE is placing too much importance on blitz, and to a lesser extent, rapidplay. The fact that they are used to decide World Championships is a case in point. The emphasis should be on classical chess (ideally without rapidplay/blitz finishes!).

[Alex Holowczak]

Any views on Rapidplay and Blitz Titles?

I don't see a problem as long as the abbreviation shows this i.e. IMR or GMB

I'm very much in the same camp as Paul.