CFC FIDE Representative election - Feb 2021

[Lyle Craver]

This section is reserved for statements relating to the election for FIDE Representative / Zone President.

Please note that this is the only thread where comments by the candidates and others are "in order"

[Vadim Tsypin]

Dear chess friends and colleagues across Canada,

In compliance with the election procedures published by the CFC, I have declared my candidacy for the position of the FIDE Representative by notifying the CFC Secretary on February 07. As per the procedures, I have provided all required documents to the CFC by Sunday, February 14.

I truly believe that my background in chess governance, including being a core member of the new FIDE management team since the 2018 FIDE elections, makes me the best candidate for this position. I am confident that I will be able to open the door wide for Canada into world chess and to bring exciting opportunities for Canadian players, coaches, and organizers. I hope that you will entrust me with the development of the CFC’s future at FIDE and vote for me.

[Vadim Tsypin]

VT-CV-2021.pdf

Honourable Voting Members,
Forum users:

I was privileged to present my condensed CV on February 07. Please see attached.

Since 2018, FIDE was completely reorganized as a modern, transparent, democratic, business-like sports federation, which allowed it to attract reputable Western sponsors. FIDE has a fully funded budget, audited annually by Ernst & Young. Every year - 2019, 2020, 2021 - we process financial aid applications from National Chess Federations, event organizers, seniors, indigent players, women's groups, scholastic associations, and others; we provide the support requested and distribute the corresponding grants. I believe that my being a core member of the FIDE management makes me the best person to lobby for Canada's interests, to help Canadians navigate support / development programs and to prepare aid applications.

[Vadim Tsypin]

VT-CV-2021.pdf
Honourable Voting Members,
Forum users:

I was privileged to present my condensed CV on February 07. Please see attached.

Since 2018, FIDE was completely reorganized as a modern, transparent, democratic, business-like sports federation, which allowed it to attract reputable Western sponsors. FIDE has a fully funded budget, audited annually by Ernst & Young. Every year - 2019, 2020, 2021 - we process financial aid applications from National Chess Federations, event organizers, seniors, indigent players, women's groups, scholastic associations, and others; we provide the support requested and distribute the corresponding grants. I believe that my being a core member of the FIDE management makes me the best person to lobby for Canada's interests, to help Canadians navigate support / development programs and to prepare aid applications.

Vadim Tsypin

Vadim Tsypin holds a Master of Science degree in Applied Mathematics (1987) and is a member of Mensa International. He is fluent in three languages (French, English, Russian) and resides in Pointe-Claire, Québec.

He has over thirty (30) years of experience in Mathematics, Computer Science and Information Technology and has worked and consulted for hi-tech companies in Canada and the U.S. in such domains as aerospace, telemedicine, e-commerce, and blockchain.

On a personal level, Vadim Tsypin is deeply involved with mathematics enrichment programs for gifted children in Canada. Yet, his most important commitment goes toward the advancement of Canadian chess. He participated actively in planning, bidding on, and organizing of the Canadian Youth Chess Ch. and the Canadian Open in 2018-2020, later serving as a Chief Arbiter at the CYCC/CO in both Quebec City (2018) and Regina, SK (2019).

Member of the Board (since 2013), Vice-President (since 2017) of the Chess ‘n Math Association, Canada's National Scholastic Chess Organization. Served as the Publicity Officer of the Chess Federation of Canada (2018-2020). As a coordinator for the Susan Polgar Foundation in Canada (since 2017), Vadim implements the qualification process and organizes tournaments that allow the best Canadian girls to take part in an annual marquee event at the Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Vadim holds the following titles and licenses awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE): FIDE Arbiter (2017); International Arbiter (2018); International Organizer (2018). Served, including as a Chief Arbiter or a Deputy Chief Arbiter, in many tournaments and festivals on three continents, such as the World Senior Team Chess Championships, Women's World Chess Ch., World Rapid and Blitz Ch., World Youth Rapid Chess Ch., European Senior Chess Ch., Zone 3.4 FIDE Women Ch., Canadian Closed Chess Ch., Canadian Women's Zonal Chess Ch., Viktor Korchnoi Memorial, Quebec Open, and others. Served as the FIDE Technical Delegate at the World Under-16 Youth Olympiad (Turkey, 2019).

As a guest lecturer, Vadim trained and certified dozens of arbiters around the world. Gave IA Workshops, FIDE Arbiters’ Seminars and training sessions in Canada, Russia, Greece, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and other countries.

He was honoured to be a member of Arkady Dvorkovich’s FIDE Presidential Election campaign. After Mr. Dvorkovich overwhelmingly won that election in October 2018, Vadim Tsypin became part of the new management team that put the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on solid footing. Governed by principles of openness, transparency and accountability, FIDE now engages independent third-party auditors. As a result, major institutional sponsors are willing to invest in chess.

Secretary of the FIDE Management Board (since 2018). “The Management Board is the executive, operational and administrative body that assists the President in the day-to-day management of FIDE activities and implements mandates given by the President and the Council. The Management Board manages ordinary activities and resources; coordinates current activities of officials, Commissions, offices and employees; monitors and supervises the implementation of decisions.” In addition to his many other FIDE responsibilities, Vadim is in charge of procurement and tenders (since 2019).

Vadim Tsypin works tirelessly to leverage his international connections for the benefit of Canadian players and organizers, especially the youth. One of the achievements he is the most proud of is getting Canadian teenagers invited to participate in an all-expense-paid trip to the 14th edition of the Vladimir Dvorkovich Cup. This high-profile international competition organized by the FIDE President annually in memory of his late father, a renowned International Arbiter, is called an unofficial World Youth Team Championship (the average rating of invited teams is higher than even at the FIDE Youth Olympiad) and is contested by teams from all four FIDE continents.

Thanks to an agreement Vadim was able to reach, in 2019 it was Team Canada rather than Team USA that was invited from the Americas. Thus, 2019 marked the first appearance of Team Canada at this prestigious event. The four Canadian players (2F, 2M) from Fredericton, NB, Ottawa and Windsor, ON, were selected by the CFC in a transparent process. Vadim Tsypin acted as a captain and personally flew the team halfway around the world, to Aktobe, Kazakhstan, where young Canadian stars experienced a diverse sports and cultural program, establishing lasting friendships with their peers worldwide.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Since the start of the election campaign, I posted nine specific sections of my program and patiently continued to explain to Voting Members and ordinary members alike what positive changes I would bring to the CFC-FIDE relationship.

I am grateful to the renowned Toronto-based entrepreneur and chess promoter Alexander Starr for an invitation to appear on his popular weekly IBM TV show alongside with my dear old friend, the leading world expert in cheating detection Prof. Kenneth Regan, GM and prize-winning author of chess books Mihail Marin, and the artist Maria Yugina. I am proud to become the first-ever Canadian guest there.

Among other pressing topics, we have discussed several issues regarding FIDE and its support for national federations that are directly relevant to the present election. I cordially invite those of you who didn't have a chance to catch a live broadcast to watch its recording since it would help you to get an objective picture of FIDE's current dynamics and will help all of you to make an evidence-based, objective choice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFhwjmxNhbs

[Vadim Tsypin]

Vadim Tsypin
Secretary of the FIDE Management Board.
International Arbiter, International Organizer.
Lifetime CFC member. Lifetime FQE member.

Platform for the Feb 2021 election of the CFC FIDE Representative

20210214-VT-Program-CFC.pdf

Honourable Voting Members,
Dear chess friends and colleagues across Canada:

In compliance with the election procedures published by the CFC, I have filed an electoral platform with the CFC Secretary today, February 14. I am privileged to present my position to you here. Please find a PDF document attached.

Since 2018, FIDE was completely reorganized as a modern, transparent, democratic, business-like sports federation, which allowed it to attract reputable Western sponsors. FIDE has a fully funded budget, audited annually by Ernst & Young. Every year - 2019, 2020, 2021 - we process financial aid applications from National Chess Federations, event organizers, seniors, indigent players, women's groups, scholastic associations, and others; we provide the support requested and distribute the corresponding grants. I believe that my being a core member of the FIDE management makes me the best person to advocate for Canada's interests, to help Canadians navigate support / development programs, and to prepare aid applications.

Here are the key challenges that lie ahead for the CFC-FIDE relationship. I pledge to turn my immediate attention to them.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Built on Indigenous lands, Canada is a country striving for national unity: “the true North strong and free”, the most admired country in the world.

The Chess Federation of Canada (CFC) counts its history since 1872 and was one of the FIDE founding members in 1924. Like our great country, our chess federation can prosper to the highest standards, especially given that one of FIDE mission statements is to “strengthen unity of national and regional chess federations throughout the world”.

At present, the Canadian Olympic Committee recognizes the CFC as a National Sport Organization. The CFC is involved with Sports and Tourism Canada largely because of the COC recognition. The CFC President’s hard work pursuing opportunities with Sports and Tourism Canada has led to local community sponsorships of tens of thousands dollars over the last few years. I can assure you, there is much more we can do, much more we can achieve, by working together as one, with one purpose!

All our seniors, all our juniors, all our Grandmasters will continue playing under the Maple Leaf. New synergies will lead to more projects and even to significant revenue growth for the CFC. This is my vision for the most crucial issue in the FIDE-CFC relationship that I will strengthen as a FIDE executive, a CFC Representative, and a proud Canadian.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Information and communication is the key for success in the 21st century. There are significant initiatives and programs at FIDE that positively affect every federation. There are new events, both over-the-board and online, being planned every month. I will ensure a free and complete bi-directional flow of information between FIDE and the Canadian chess public. Never again will we lose an opportunity or miss a deadline. I will regularly inform the CFC Executive, the organizers, coaches and players of any new public announcements.

[Vadim Tsypin]

FIDE is our friend, our mentor, our protector. The FIDE Mission lists as explicit goals the development of chess, strengthening of the national federations, and improving chess players’ social conditions. “GENS UNA SUMUS” is both FIDE’s official motto and the sentiment coming from my heart. We are to be One Family again!

FIDE actually finances national chess federations and the specific projects they put forward. The financing is done through direct bilateral agreements, through the FIDE Development fund, and through the funding that FIDE allocates to its four continents. FIDE has committed to the long-term funding of national federations through sustainable corporate sponsorship.

I will make sure that Canada is included in programs offered by FIDE. Funding might be available for club incorporation, for chess equipment purchases, for event organization and participation, for player training / coach hiring, for arbiter development. There are significant opportunities available through the FIDE Chess in Schools program. The objective of Chess in Schools is not to raise professional players but, rather, to provide young generations with a learning tool that would advance their social and educational development.

I will help the CFC to prepare and submit all program applications in a professional and timely way. Whenever clubs, players or organizers are eligible to apply individually, I will help any Canadian to understand FIDE requirements and to prepare a competitive application. It was a pleasure for me already to help an iconic Canadian event to submit an application for a grant under the FIDE Aid for Open Tournaments program earlier this month.

[Vadim Tsypin]

I will facilitate the advancement of Canadian players, trainers, and arbiters and will advocate for them tirelessly. The Canadian federation and its FIDE Representative shall firmly support any CFC member in their interactions with FIDE, be it title applications for our players / coaches / arbiters, tournament participation requests, arbiter appointments. The CFC FIDE Representative shall be proactive, liaising with FIDE bodies and doing everything appropriate to advance Canadian causes.

At the 2020 FIDE World Online Youth Championship, one of the most brilliant Canadian young players stumbled during the preliminary stage and didn’t qualify for the finals. I knew that the organizers - FIDE itself – had a wild card that they could use at their discretion. I picked up the phone, called a FIDE Vice-President who supervised the competition, and put together a case for assigning the wild card to this young Canadian, given their distinguished track record in over-the-board continental competitions. My arguments were found solid and our player received the wild card, becoming one of 16 to compete in the final. This is an example of efficient and ethical advocacy that I will continue.