(1580) CARLSEN, CARUANA SIGN CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH CONTRACTS (TBN-Oct. 08, 2018)

CARUANA TO PARTICIPATE IN 2018 WCO; CARLSEN WON’T

                  As confident as he is, WCC challenger Fabiano Caruana, 2^nd from right, will still be participating in the 2018 WCO in Georgia. Guam woman chess player Ruth Anne Baptista, right, and Myra Galang Camilon Ollet, left, both played in the 2016 WCO in Baku, Azerbaijan and Ruth confirmed to me that she is not participating in this Olympiad as well as the reigning world chess champion Magnus Carlsen.
                                                (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

  MAGNUS CARLSEN AND FABIANO
   CARUANA SIGN CHAMPIONSHIP
           MATCH CONTRACTS

Friday 17 August 2018 19:21
London, 16th August 2018
     FIDE and World Chess are pleased to announce
that both the incumbent world chess champion Magnus Carlsen and challenger Fabiano Caruana signed contracts for taking part in the World Chess Championship Match that will take place in London, United Kingdom, in November 2018.

     For 2018, the minimum guaranteed prize fund of EUR 1m (1.25mln gross) will be increased by proceeds from sponsorship contracts and 20% of digital Pay-Per-View tickets--a novelty for World Chess Championship where prize fund has never been affected by sales of the match broadcast. This year, subscribers and spectators will be able to increase the Prize Fund by subscribing to the official premium broadcast for $25 (free basic version will be available as well).

    The much-anticipated match will be held in London from 9th to 28th November. Ticket prizes range from 
45 to 100 euros and are available at Ticketmaster: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk

     The organizers, with the ambition of making chess one of the world's most popular spectator sports, are curating a phenomenal experience for fans coming to watch the games live: a dramatic venue, limited edition merchandise and the opportunity to meet the Grandmasters. Spectators will also be able to view the after-game press conference and listen live to commentary by the world's biggest chess starts and experts.

     Georgios Makropoulus, FIDE Deputy President, said: "We appreciate the contract acceptance by Fabiano Caruana and Magnus Carlsen. It's an honor for us to collaborate with them and their teams. Rules agreed within parties to regulate the Championship Match 2018 will definitely make the organization process more efficient."

     Ilya Merenzon, CEO World Chess, said: "I am very grateful for Magnus and Fabiano for making signing the contracts an efficient process, and also happy with how these contracts evolve: they reflect the fact the chess had truly become a professional sport and both players are professionals! We are looking forward to working with both players and hope that the Match will become an event of the century."

     The 2016 championship took place in New York with total audience for the event reaching 1.5 billion 
people. For the first time in decades, the World Chess crown may return to America in 2018 after Brooklyn-born Caruana won the Candidates Tournament in Berlin and earned the right to fight Carlsen for the championship title.

    Official website of the Championship Match:
            https://worldchess.com/london





FIDE World Chess Championship Match

Official web-site of the Championship Match: worldchess.com/london  

Less the one month left until the start of the much-anticipated World Championship match which will be held in London from 9th to 28th November. 

The World Chess Championship 2018 is a match between the reigning world champion since 2013, Magnus Carlsen, and challenger Fabiano Caruana to determine the World Chess Champion. The 12-game match, organized by FIDE and World Chess, will be played in London between 9 and 28 November 2018 with a prize fund of over EUR 1 mln. The Match takes place every two years. 

Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3764: 1. Ne6+! dxe6 2. Bh6+ Kg8 3. Nf6#

This week’s puzzle No. 3766: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9-10

               Volume 27

               Issue 94

               October 08, 2018

              Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)

              The Beginning of Chess in Palau 

              By Roberto Hernandez

              Soon to be published as a book

              Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez

              Tia Belau Newspaper

              March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013

              http://palau-chess.blogspot.com

              April 25, 2013 -- October 08, 2018

              The History of Chess in Palau

              By Roberto Hernandez

              June 09, 2002 -- October 08, 2018

     

(1526) GENERAL INFO ABOUT GEORGIA, THE SITE OF 43rd CHESS OLYMPIAD (TBN-May 21, 2018)

THE LOGO OF 2018 WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD (Batumi, Georgia)

               During the 2014 WCO in Tromso, Norway, souvenir items were given to those who attend the bidding to host 2018 WCO between South Africa and Batumi, Georgia. Palau voted for South Africa but Batumi, Georgia won the bidding. They have given away some items—half bottle of red wine, USB, T-shirts with logo of 2018 WCO, ceramic saucers and plates, etc. There will be bidding again to host the 2022 World Chess Olympiad and expect some more souvenir items especially that it is election year also. Georgios Makropolous and Nigel Short will fight it out for the presidency of FIDE.

     GENERAL INFO ABOUT GEORGIA,

    THE SITE OF 43rd CHESS OLYMPIAD

THE PRESIDENT of Georgian Chess Federation and Chairman of Chess Olympiad Batumi 2018 Organizing Committee George Giorgadze invites all FIDE member countries to 43^rd Batumi Chess Olympiad with this letter: “Dear friends and chess lovers, 

                On behalf of the Georgian Chess Federation and Chess Olympiad Organizing Committee, it is my great honor to invite all FIDE member countries to 43^rd Batumi Chess Olympiad and 89^th FIDE Congress, to be held from 23^rd of September till 6^th of October 2018 in Batumi, Georgia.

                As you may know Georgia has a great history of Chess. Georgia is the homeland of legendary, five times world champions Nona Gaprindashvili and Maia Chiburdanidze. Our country has hosted numerous European and World Competitions and we believe that 43^rd Chess Olympiad will be another significant event.

                This year Georgia celebrates 100 anniversary of independence and for our country it is great honor to host the guests from all over the world. I do hope that 43^rd Chess Olympiad will take considerable place in the hearts of hosts as well as all the attending guests.”

                Georgia is an ancient, small and rapidly developing modern country situated at the dividing line between Asia and Europe and is bordered by Black Sea. The country has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era. However proto-Georgian tribes first appeared in 12^th century BC. During the classical era, several independent kingdoms became established in what is now Georgia, such as Colchis and Iberia. The Georgians adopted Christianity in the early 4^th century. Throughout the 12^th and 13^th centuries AD, the Georgian Kingdom reached its peak and the country expanded its cultural and political influence. These centuries were also a renaissance period for Georgian classical literature, arts, philosophy, architecture and science.

                Georgia has a very distinctive culture and traditions that produces of the influence of its neighbors and of its own unique civilization. Georgia is famous for its wine, cuisine, mineral water, national dances, polyphonic music and most importantly its friendly people.

                As past and present are closely linked with each other, Georgia in one of the famous destinations for tourists all around the world. Tourist attractions include numerous historic and cultural monuments, three of which are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. More information regarding tourist destinations can be found on the following website: http://georgia.travel/

                Georgia covers a territory of 69,700 square kilometers with about 3,718,200-population based on the 2017 data from National Statistics Office of Georgia.

                The nation is also proud of its language and its own writing system. Georgian (Kartuli) is a language spoken by most of the population, and it represents the official language of the country. The Georgian alphabet is one of the 14 original alphabets of the world and it is fully phonetic. There are 33 letters and the same amount of sounds in the language. Therefore, the writing language fully coincides with its pronunciation.

                The currency in Georgia is the Lari (GEL – Georgian Lari). These are the following Lari banknotes and coins in circulation: Banknotes—5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200. Coins—1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50.

                Official exchange rate: 1 EURO=3.0 GEL and 1 USD=2.5 GEL as of April 2018. The travelers have the opportunity to use different credit cards approved by the International Payment Systems. There are numerous banks in Batumi. Most of them provide 24/7 services. Visitors are able to use ATM (cash point machines) services throughout the city.

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3487: 1. Kg7! Qb2 or Qc3 2. Nd4#; 1. …Qf3 2. Nf4#

                This week’s puzzle No. 3488: White to move and mates in 2 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Page 9

               Volume 27

               Issue 34

               May 21, 2018

              Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)

              The Beginning of Chess in Palau

              By Roberto Hernandez

              Soon to be published as a book

              Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez

              Tia Belau Newspaper

              March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013

              http://palau-chess.blogspot.com

              April 25, 2013 -- May 21, 2018

              The History of Chess in Palau

              By Roberto Hernandez

              June 09, 2002 -- May 21, 2018

   

                          

(1511) FIDE Presidential Board Ask Kirsan To Resign (TBN-April 16, 2018)

FIRST CANDIDATE TO DECLARE F.I.DE. PRESIDENT CANDIDACY

                  Georgios Makropoulos, sitting in the middle, is the first to announce his candidacy for FIDE President during the 1^st Quarter Presidential Board Meeting. Geoffrey Borg, standing 2^nd from left, and Toti Abundo, standing 4^th from left, has been to Palau in Jan. 2014 to campaign for incumbent FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, whose been asked to resign by the PB Board by 14 to 1 vote with no abstentions. According to Jamie Kenmure, Sheik Sultan of UAE will also run for FIDE President.                         (Photo from FIDE website www.fide.com)

      F. I. D. E. Presidential Board

          Ask Kirsan to Resign

           During the FIDE Presidential Board Meeting held in Minsk, Belarus, the Board was also able to persuade the Saudi authorities to grant visas to Iranian and Qatari players. Unfortunately, it became clear only at the last day that visas were not going to be granted to Israeli players. He advised that in January, he had had talks with the Israeli Chess Federation about the situation and had come to an agreement with them. FIDE was continuing to speak with the Organizers to ensure that all participants would be able to get visas in future. He advised the PB that FIDE was now in a sound financial position and had built up reserves by cutting unnecessary expenses. 

          He advised that the situation was becoming very nasty and personal and that, together with Prof. Adrian Siegel, Zurab Azmaiparashvili and Geoffrey Borg, he was referring Mr. Ilyumzhinov, Willy Icklicki, Lewis Ncube, Berik Balgabaev and Silvio Danailov to the Ethics Commission for spreading lies and defamatory statements.

          The PB then discussed the situation regarding the FIDE bank accounts. Prof. Adrian Siegel, the FIDE Treasurer and Nigel Freeman, the FIDE Executive Director brought the PB up to date on the severe problems caused by the request of FIDE’s bankers that they would close our accounts on 30th April, 2018 because of the fact that the FIDE President is on the US Sanctions list. They advised that despite meetings with senior management of the bank, whilst they extended the deadline from the original 28th February, 2018 to 30th April, 2018, they were unwilling to extend until the FIDE elections on 3rd October, 2018, when the matter would be solved. 

          They also advised that they had approached many other banks both in Switzerland and outside and had met with several they all said they were willing to have FIDE as client they were unable to do so whilst its President was on the US sanctions list. The PB recognized the dire operational situation FIDE was in because the President was under US Sanctions and passed the following resolution to ask the President to resign by 14 votes to 1 with no abstentions: Dear Kirsan ---The Presidential Board has resolved: In the light of:

 a) The imminent withdrawal of FIDE’s banking facilities by UBS, 

b) The inability of FIDE to obtain replacement banking facilities while you remain nominal President and 

c) subject to US Treasury Department sanctions, d) The consequent severe difficulties facing FIDE in funding its obligations and its commitments to the chess family, e) The adverse publicity that reflects badly on FIDE’s reputation and undermines the confidence of all those who are or would be involved in chess, that in the interests of the organization: 

You should resign with immediate effect. 

Signed: 

Makropoulos, Georgios Deputy President; 

Tolentino, Abraham General Secretary;
Fierro, Martha Vice President 

Siegel, Adrian Treasurer; 

Bastian, Herbert Vice President 

Kambuzia, Mohammed Vice President; 

Marinello, Beatriz Vice President;

 Sundar, D.V. Vice President
Al-Hitmi, Khalifa Vice President; 

Gelfer, Israel Vice President; 

Kutin, Boris Vice President
Tulay, Gulkiz Vice President; 

Ochoa, Javier Hon. Vice President;

 Ramirez, Mario Hon. Vice President
Vega, Jorge President of Americas;

 Azmaiparashvili, Zurab President of ECU

The PB discussed the various FIDE offices and resolved to close the Moscow Office as soon as possible.

The PB then discussed the various FIDE events and were brought up to date with the situation regarding the 2018 Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia, in September, the World Championship match in London in November and the Women’s World Championship match in China in May.

       During the meeting, Georgios Makropoulos, the Deputy President advised that he had been approached by the majority of the Presidential Board and many delegates asking him to run for President to sort out the present problems and ensure stability in FIDE. Therefore he announced his candidacy for FIDE President at the forthcoming elections in Batumi on 3rd October, 2018.

          Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 4378: 1. …Qxe3+!! 2. Kxe3 Bh6+ 3. Kd3 Rd2#

     This week’s puzzle No. 4435: Black to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9 & 11

               Volume 27

               Issue 28

               April 16, 2018

              Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)

              The Beginning of Chess in Palau

              By Roberto Hernandez

              Soon to be published as a book

             Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013

             http://palau-chess.blogspot.com

             April 25, 2013 -- April 16, 2018

             The History of Chess in Palau

             By Roberto Hernandez

             June 09, 2018

(1509) MAKROPOULOS RUNNING AS PRESIDENT OF FIDE IN OCT. 03, 2018 (SHEIK SULTAN RUNNING ALSO?)

AS PER Presidential Board Meeting in Minsk, Belarus from April 07-08, 2018, FIDE Deputy President announced his candidacy as FIDE President to be held during the 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia on Oct. 03, 2018. The Olympiad will be held from Sept. 23-Oct. 07, 2018.

During the Palau Chess Federation Board Meeting in April 03, 2018, Angelica Parrado informed us through Jamie Kenmure that Sheik Sultan is running for FIDE President.

FIDE Press Release: 2018 1st quarter Presidential Board Sunday, 08 April 2018 17:12 FIDE PRESIDENTIAL BOARD 1st QUARTER  Minsk, Belarus 7-8 April, 2018 The Meeting was opened by Mrs Anastasia Sorokina, the President of the Belarus Chess Federation, who welcomed the FIDE Presidential Board to Minsk and wished them a pleasant stay and successful meeting in Minsk, during which they would present their bid for the 2022 Chess Olympiad. The FIDE Deputy President, Mr Georgios Makropoulos thanked Mrs Sorokina for her kind words and also for the excellent organisation of the Presidential Board (PB) Meeting. He then advised the Presidential Board of what had happened since the Presidential Board in Athens. In particular, he advised the PB on the FIDE Rapid & Blitz Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He said that he was very pleased that FIDE had negotiated that for the first time in Saudi Arabia, the women participants did not need to wear abayas in the tournament hall, nor in the hotel where they were staying and men and women were able to play in the same room. FIDE was also able to persuade the Saudi authorities to grant visas to Iranian and Qatari players. Unfortunately, it became clear only at the last day that visas were not going to be granted to Israeli players. He advised that in January, he had had talks with the Israeli Chess Federation about the situation and had come to an agreement with them. FIDE was continuing to speak with the Organisers to ensure that all participants would be able to get visas in future. He advised the PB that FIDE was now in a sound financial position and had built up reserves by cutting unnecessary expenses. He advised that the situation was becoming very nasty and personal and that, together with Prof. Adrian Siegel, Zurab Azmaiparashvili and Geoffrey Borg, he was referring Mr. Ilyumzhinov, Willy Icklicki, Lewis Ncube, Berik Balgabaev and Silvio Danailov to the Ethics Commission for spreading lies and defamatory statements. The PB then discussed the situation regarding the FIDE bank accounts. Prof. Adrian Siegel, the FIDE Treasurer and Nigel Freeman, the FIDE Executive Director brought the PB up to date on the severe problems caused by the request of FIDE’s bankers that they would close our accounts on 30th April, 2018 because of the fact that the FIDE President is on the US Sanctions list. They advised that despite meetings with senior management of the bank, whilst they extended the deadline from the original 28th February, 2018 to 30th April, 2018, they were unwilling to extend until the FIDE elections on 3rd October, 2018, when the matter would be solved. They also advised that they had approached many other banks both in Switzerland and outside and had met with several, they all said they were willing to have FIDE as a client, they were unable to do so whilst its President was on the US sanctions list. The PB recognised the dire operational situation FIDE was in because the President was under US Sanctions and passed the following resolution to ask the President to resign by 14 votes to 1 with no abstentions: Dear Kirsan The Presidential Board has resolved: In the light of: a) The imminent withdrawal of FIDE’s banking facilities by UBS, b) The inability of FIDE to obtain replacement banking facilities while you remain nominal President and c) subject to US Treasury Department sanctions, d) The consequent severe difficulties facing FIDE in funding its obligations and its commitments to the chess family, e) The adverse publicity that reflects badly on FIDE’s reputation and undermines the confidence of all those who are or would be involved in chess, That in the interests of the organisation: You should resign with immediate effect. Signed: Makropoulos, Georgios Deputy President Tolentino, Abraham General Secretary Fierro, Martha Vice President Siegel, Adrian Treasurer Bastian, Herbert Vice President Kambuzia, Mohammed Vice President Marinello, Beatriz Vice President Sundar, D.V. Vice President Al-Hitmi, Khalifa Vice President Gelfer, Israel Vice President Kutin, Boris Vice President Tulay, Gulkiz Vice President Ochoa, Javier Hon. Vice President Ramirez, Mario Hon. Vice President Vega, Jorge President of Americas Azmaiparashvili, Zurab President of ECU The PB then discussed the subject of the $30,000 loan to the ACC. It was agreed that the loan had not been fully used for the purposes requested; that there was no proof in any way as to how the loan was used; that the other board members of the ACC had not been advised of the loan until late 2017; that there was a delay of 29 months from the initial promised date of repayment; and that the loan was only repaid when the fact of the loan was became public knowledge. It was therefore agreed that the remainder of the FIDE Development Budget for Africa would be handled by the Treasurer and the Executive Director. Only the African Continental President disagreed with this decision. The PB discussed the various FIDE offices and resolved to close the Moscow Office as soon as possible. The PB then discussed the various reports from Commissions and approved all reports and title recommendations. The PB discussed in detail the situation in Bulgaria, with Mr Toshev from the Bulgarian Chess Federation (1928) presenting their case for becoming a member of FIDE. He was advised that FIDE needed to receive the information requested by the Ethics Commission regarding the payments from their bank account to the fake ECU (Delaware) bank account and other matters. Particularly they should ask the Prosecutor why he has taken four years with no action regarding the more than one million Euros stolen from the Bulgarian Government. They also had to provide the translation of documents into English. Until these matters were settled, no action can be taken towards recognising any Federation in Bulgaria. The PB resolved that if these matters were not solved by the end of April that all the Bulgarian players in the FIDE ratings list would no longer be rated until the situation was regularised. The PB then discussed the various FIDE events and were brought up to date with the situation regarding the 2018 Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia, in September, the World Championship match in London in November and the Women’s World Championship match in China in May. Mr. Georgios Makropoulos announces his candidature for the FIDE Presidency. During the meeting, the Deputy President advised that he had been approached by the majority of the Presidential Board and many delegates asking him to run for President to sort out the present problems and ensure stability in FIDE. Therefore he announced his candidacy for FIDE President at the forthcoming elections in Batumi on 3rd October, 2018. Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez                Tia Belau Newspaper                December 29, 2002 -- April 12, 2018             Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)             The Beginning of Chess in Palau             By Roberto Hernandez             Soon to be published as a book             Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez             Tia Belau Newspaper             March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013             http://palau-chess.blogspot.com             April 25, 2013 -- April 12, 2018             The History of Chess in Palau             By Roberto Hernandez             June 09, 2002 -- April 12, 2018            www.fide.com