CFR Supervisory Board Meeting Takes Place in Moscow

Results of the year of 2019 were summed up.

The CFR Supervisory Board meeting took place in the Central Chess Club in Moscow on December 7. The meeting was opened bu the Federation's President Andrey Filatov. In particular, he noted that the year of 2019 had been quite successful for the Russian national teams: they won three gold medals out of four at the World and European championships. The cooperation between CFR and FIDE is being strengthened, the International Chess Federation entrusts holding more tournaments of the highest level to Russia. Andrey Filatov reminded that 2020 would see several major chess events in Russia, namely the second half of the Women's World Championship Match between Ju Wenjun and Aleksandra Goryachkina in Vladivostok, the FIDE Candidates Tournament in Yekaterinburg, the first Chess Paralympics and FIDE Congress in Khanty-Mansisyk, and the World Chess Olympiad in Moscow. At the end of 2019, the King Salman World Rapid and Blitz Championships will be held in Moscow. 
 
The CFR Executive Director Mark Glukhovsky made a summary report. Filling up A. Filatov's speech, he announced the first Russian Rapid Cup among children which would take place during the Candidates Tournament in Yekaterinburg. Russia also made a bid to host the World School Championship in Sochi from February 29 till March 7, 2020. 
 
Speaking about the Federation's work, Mark Glukhovsky emphasized the holding of the biggest traditional competitions such as Belaya Ladya, which had celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. This tournament, as well as the Russian Championship Superfinals, Russia - China Friendship matches and other events, are supported by the Elena and Gennady Timchenko Charitable Foundation. The Foundation helped CFR realize the Chess in Schools programme which is being developed in 11 regions of Russia. 
 
Mark Glukhovsky called up the heads of the regional chess federations to take an active part in the preparation process before the World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk and Moscow. In particular, to send regional arbiters to participate in the CFR seminars so they could upgrade their qualification and improve their English - only in this case they will be able to work in the World Chess Olympiad and other major international events. According to M. Glukhovsky, there will be many side events for children and adults during the World Chess Olympiad: tournaments, seminars, contest, and conferences. The organizers will be happy to consider any constructive suggestions and are ready to make the programme even wider. The CFR Executive Director also spoke about the Federation's charitable projects and the Chess Teacher contest, which had been organized for the first time this year. 
 
The Supervisory Board approved the CFR budget and the calendar plan for 2020. The entry and annual membership fees will not be charged. 
 
The Supervisory Board members endorsed Galina Dvorkovich's candidature for the position of the Chairperson of the CFR Veterans Commission. In her speech, Galina Dvorkovich thanked everyone who helped the Russian seniors take part in the World and European championships after a timeless death of Mikhail Arkhangelsky. Ms Dvorkovich also spoke about the Commission's plans and invited the senior players to take part in the handicap tournament which would be held in the Central Chess Club on December 15. 
 
The CFR Deputy Executive Director Alexander Tkachev submitted several documents for approval, namely Regulations on the sports sanctions in chess, Instructions for the organizers of the international and Russian competitions, and Arbiter's Code. The documents were approved after a discussion and several amendments. 
 
The member of the Supervisory Board Igor Burshtein reminded that they year of 2020 would see the centenary of the prominent grandmaster, theoretician, and coach Semyon Furman and suggested to organize the tournament in Saint Petersburg on this occasion. 

Photos by Vladimir Barsky