CFC FIDE Representative election - Feb 2021

[Vladimir Drkulec]

There will be an election for the position of CFC FIDE representative at the special meeting starting February 21st. This thread is for candidates to announce and for discussion about the election.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Dear chess friends and colleagues across Canada,

In compliance with the election procedures published (http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/showthread.php?5572-Special-Meeting-of-Voting-Members-Sunday-February-21-to-Thursday-February-25&p=36016#post36016) by the CFC, I have declared my candidacy for the position of the FIDE Representative by notifying the CFC Secretary today. As per the procedures, I will provide 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.

[Aris Marghetis]

There will be an election for the position of CFC FIDE representative at the special meeting starting February 21st. This thread is for candidates to announce and for discussion about the election.



Hello everyone, this post is to confirm I am running for the position of CFC FIDE Representative.

I have also advised CFC Secretary Lyle Craver.

Thank you, best regards, Aris Marghetis.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Honourable Voting Members,
Forum users:

I am privileged to present my condensed CV. 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.

[Andrew Giblon]

Vlad, thanks for opening this discussion. I would like to provide my perspective as a chess dad, and as a former three-time Head of Delegation for Team Canada at the WYCC.

I have had only positive experiences with Aris Marghetis over the years, including when he was an Arbiter at the WYCC in Halkidiki, Greece in 2010, when I was Assistant HOD under him at the NAYCC in Tarrytown, NY in 2011, and when he was an Arbiter at the CYCC in Ottawa in 2013.

That said, I would like to confirm my support for Vadim Tsypin for the role of FIDE Representative from the Chess Federation of Canada. Vadim is highly qualified for this role from two key perspectives:
- Representing Canadian chess within FIDE. Vadim understands and has deep connections within the FIDE organization. He has been serving as a member of the FIDE Management Board for the past several years. He has become a licensed International Arbiter, and has taught FIDE Arbiter courses in several countries.
- Representing children’s chess within Canada. I have known Vadim for almost a decade since we first met as chess dads at a CYCC. Since then, Vadim has played many leadership roles to promote children’s chess. Initially, Vadim served as Assistant Head of Delegation to me at the 2013 WYCC in UAE, where his organization skills were invaluable. Vadim has gone on to organize and/or to be an arbiter at CYCCs, to serve in Chess ‘n Math Association’s leadership, and to organize the qualification process for the annual Susan Polgar Invitational for girls.

On a personal level, I have known Vadim to be fair, impartial, transparent, an advocate for the under-represented, committed without the need for personal gain, and articulate. I am confident that Vadim would represent the CFC’s and the Canadian chess community’s interests well as our FIDE Representative.

[Victor Plotkin]

I am running for the position of CFC FIDE Representative.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

We have three good candidates for this position.

The election will be first past the post. The person with a plurality of the votes wins even if it is not a majority.

All three candidates along with any new entrants will be provided with contact information of voting members upon request, simultaneously (as much as possible). They will need to make a statutory required statement that they will only use the list of emails for purposes of this election or other business related to their roles as voting members.

We hope that each candidate will provide us with their vision for the CFC and its relationship with FIDE going into the future.

[Mahmud Hassain]

[QUOTE=Vadim Tsypin;36141]Dear chess friends and colleagues across Canada,


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.

[Mahmud Hassain]

Hi Vadim,

Thank you for putting your name forward and thank you for disclosing that you are "a core member of the new FIDE management team". Not withstanding your claimed chess activities, I have three questions for you.

1- Does not this disqualify you from representing Canada? To my mind, you are clearly in a conflict of interest position. This should be clear to you and to the voting members. So, which hat will you be wearing and which interest will you be advancing? FIDE or CFC?

2- Do you receive any compensation for your management position in FIDE?

3- Are you currently a governor or a management member of any CFC rival association or organization?

If "yes" to either Question 2 or Question 3, then you must not be a CFC voting member either because it is also a conflict of interest.

Thank you
Mahmud

[Victor Plotkin]

A. Bio

1. Was born in 1968 in Leningrad (St.-Petersburg), Soviet Union (Russia). Immigrated to Israel in 1991 and to Canada in 2002.

Education: 1985-1991 Leningrad Technical University (2 year break for Soviet Army).
1991-1994 Technion (Haifa, Israel) - Masters degree in Math.

2. Portfolio manager since 1991. Manage 2 hedge funds and some big individual clients. Interesting that strong chess players (2000+) make up more than 50% of AUM (assets under management).

3. Married with 3 kids. Rina (CFC 1356), Mark (CFC 2549) and Julia (CFC 1150).

4. Started playing chess at age of 7 in Palace of Pioneers, Leningrad. Played in different team events across the Soviet Union with some famous future GMs: Kamsky, Khalifman, Sakaev and others. Got Candidate Master title in 1984. Wasn't strong enough to get the FIDE rating. Quit chess in 1985 and did not play serious chess games until 2005.

Restarted my chess career in 2003 playing blitz at the Dutton-Dobrich chess club. Got my first FIDE rating in 2005, slightly below 2200.

Got FIDE Master title in 2011 at the Canadian Closed. Didn't feel comfortable with this title since my rating was always below 2300. Finally crossed 2300 level in 2014.

Have 2 IM norms (both from Gibraltar). Current rating 2367. I am extremely overrated now. However... while many players improved their rating by 200 points in 15 years, very few did it from age 37 to age 52 at this level.

5. Have significant experience in different major international events. Attended 4 WYCC with Mark (2010-2013). Played in 5 Gibraltar Open, likely one of the strongest open tournaments. Played in 2 World Senior Championship (2018, 2019).

4 times served as the Captain of Canadian National Team (2012-2018). The best result was 11th place in 2016. My strategy "Eric Hansen plays white" worked well and likely improved our performance.

Served as a coach/captain at U16 Olympiad (Hungary, 2014) for 2 Canadian Teams.

Was a player/captain at World Team Senior in 2018 and 2020. Special thanks to my teammates D.Cummings, I.Findlay and M.Barron for a good atmosphere and strong performance in these events.

6. CFC voting member since 2015 (Master Representative). Made major changes in Olympic rules with F. McKim (2016). While many members didn't like the idea of a Selection Committee, it was finally eliminated only after our motions.

Bonuses and penalties for Canadian Closed likely increased the motivation of strong players to participate in this tournament. I want to thank A.Marghetis and his team for an excellent job organizing last Canadian Closed (2019), which was probably the strongest Closed of the last 20 years. Hopefully, our motions also contributed to this success.

Did research with our Rating Auditor P. Leblanc which demonstrated the significant CFC-FIDE gap. The results and recommendations were approved by the CFC President. Now every player without a CFC rating (but with established FIDE) gets CFC = FIDE + 125 initial rating.

B. Platform

1. CFC-FIDE relationship.

On Aug 6, 2018 (2 months before the FIDE election) I posted on Chesstalk "Probably, Dvorkovich becomes a favorite to win the president election". I tried to convince the CFC leadership to support him, but the executives supported Macro.

Generally speaking, I am moderately satisfied with his presidentship so far, I give him a B+ for what he has done so far. I liked some changes that he made for the Championship Circle. The Grand Swiss giving the winner a spot in the Candidate Tournament (instead of qualification by rating) looks like a big improvement. Some progress has been made in the Women championship circle. I do have my personal opinion about transparency and sponsorship issues, but would prefer to discuss it in a different format.

I did not like Dvorkovich's crisis management skills and his decisions for the Candidate Tournament and during online Olympiad. At the same time, it's not fair to criticize him - it was a very difficult and completely new situation, which required some tough decisions.

Vlad mentioned "strained" CFC-FIDE relationship. I am sure I can improve it, if elected. My generally positive attitude towards the current FIDE leadership will not guarantee automatic support. If I have to object or ask unpleasant questions, I'll do it.

The CFC needs to work more with FIDE, and especially with FIDE America to get more Pan-American tournaments to Canada. I am talking not only about the American championship, but also about Youth, Junior, Women and Senior events.

I see this process as a long term project, which requires a lot of time and effort. However, we need to start working on it.

If elected, I would pay special attention to international team events, which are, from my experience, the most interesting and memorable tournaments, especially for young players.

Canada has excellent arbiters and I will try my best to get more official FIDE events for them.

I am sure I can communicate with the current FIDE leadership. I spoke with E.Sutovsky many times at Chess Olympiads and in Gibraltar. I have never spoken with Dvorkovich, but we have a lot in common and it shouldn't be difficult to build a solid relationship. In fact my oldest daughter graduated from the same Law School at Duke University last year.

If elected, I will not hesitate to ask for help and advice from Vadim Tsypin (who is very close to the current FIDE leadership) in certain situations. I was a good student my entire life. I learn fast.

2. Work with CFC president.

I know Vlad for many years, and we were able to build a very good relationship well before he became the CFC president (2013) and my first involvement in Olympiad Team (2012). I believe, as a human being, I understand him well.

For the last several years, we have had a lot of conversations about a variety of issues. Sometimes he accepted my point, sometimes he preferred his own solution. However, I was always able to express and explain my opinion.

While I am not happy with some of his recent decisions, I am absolutely sure we can successfully collaborate for the best of CFC and Canadian chess in general.

3. FIDE representative is also a director who should participate in voting. With my experience as a player, parent, captain, and voting member, I hope to provide enough logic and common sense. At the same time, I will be quiet if I am not competent enough for some problems.

The main point for me - we should follow our own rules. If we don't like them, we have to change them from time to time; but we have to adhere to them. Consistently following our own rules is key to improving the CFC image and allowing us to get more respect from regular players.

C. Personal

My previous public election was in 2012 for the position of Olympic Team Captain. There were 3 candidates for this position: Y.Ochkoos, V.Rekhson and myself. Only 5 team players were allowed to vote. I won with the smallest possible margin. For me, it is very important to remain on good terms with other candidates and I am really happy that we managed to maintain a good and respectful relationship.

I hope for the same with both A.Marghetis and V.Tsypin.

[Mahmud Hassain]

Dear Voting Members,

In the CV provided here by Vadim, it is stated that Vadim is a Vice President of the CMA, which answers my Question 3 above. The CFC has commercial contracts with the CMA.
There is a conflict of interest here and it is incumbent upon all of you to safeguard our federation. It is your duty to do so.
So, through you President Vlad, I am requesting that either Vadim resign from CMA or he must resign from CFC voting members privilege.

Thank you
Mahmud

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Dear Voting Members,

In the CV provided here by Vadim, it is stated that Vadim is a Vice President of the CMA, which answers my Question 3 above. The CFC has commercial contracts with the CMA.
There is a conflict of interest here and it is incumbent upon all of you to safeguard our federation. It is your duty to do so.
So, through you President Vlad, I am requesting that either Vadim resign from CMA or he must resign from CFC voting members privilege.

Thank you
Mahmud


3- Are you currently a governor or a management member of any CFC rival association or organization?


You are under some misapprehensions of the facts.

The CMA is not a rival association or organization.

A conflict of interest has to be declared. Being an officer or member of the board of the CMA is not a conflict of interest.

The CFC does not have commercial contracts with the CMA.

Having commercial contracts with the CMA would not prevent someone from being a voting member or on the board of directors of the CFC.

Vadim is a voting member by virtue of the fact that he was nominated by the FQE as one of their three voting members. We do have agreements in place with the FQE. Are you suggesting that any voting member from the FQE is somehow illegitimate because we have such an agreement?

If having some relationship with the CMA was an automatic conflict of interest there would be many of the voting members that would need to resign as a number of them teach chess for the CMA.

EDIT: Actually they would have to declare a conflict of interest, they wouldn't have to resign.

The CMA is an organization which the CFC often works with.

I myself have directed tournaments for the CMA in Windsor because parents asked me to.

I believe at one point we had a tournament that was both a YCC and a CMA event at the same time and I directed it and organized it.

I believe that CFC Youth Coordinator Christina Tao may have also organized a CMA event or two at some point. I am pretty sure that I directed at least one or two for her.

The CMA hires many chess players to teach for them. That is not a conflict of interest. Our interests are not opposed, they are complementary. They tend to organize tournaments for children which are even sometimes CFC rated like the North American Youth Chess Championship.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Hi Vadim,

Thank you for putting your name forward and thank you for disclosing that you are "a core member of the new FIDE management team". Not withstanding your claimed chess activities, I have three questions for you.

Hello Mahmud,

I am pleased to see your keen interest in the CFC FIDE Representative election. For the Voting Members’ benefit, I am always glad to answer questions that are asked in a polite manner. I am confident that this discussion will open the eyes of the Canadian chess public. A constructive dialog and evidence-based verified information will help Canadians to learn the truth about new FIDE, including the new structure codified in the FIDE Charter adopted at the Extraordinary General Assembly in Abu Dhabi on February 28, 2020.



1- Does not this disqualify you from representing Canada? To my mind, you are clearly in a conflict of interest position. This should be clear to you and to the voting members. So, which hat will you be wearing and which interest will you be advancing? FIDE or CFC?


The answer is simple and straightforward – it doesn’t. FIDE unites 195 National Chess Federations (NCFs). FIDE and the NCFs have shared and aligned interests; they are not on the opposing sides. The FIDE Mission spelled out in the new Charter makes development of chess and strengthening the national federations FIDE’s explicit goals. Improving chess players’ social conditions and well-being is yet another area where FIDE and NCFs work hand in hand.

A layperson that is not experienced in chess governance and international affairs might be surprised to learn that FIDE actually finances the national chess federations and the specific projects they put forward. The financing is done through the direct FIDE-NCF agreement, through the FIDE Development fund and through the funding that FIDE allocates to its four continents.

Each and every person working at FIDE – be it in a paid / unpaid Commission position, an appointed FIDE Council position, or an appointed management team position – remains a patriot, a representative of their national federation, and an efficient lobbyist for the country whose flag she or he is honoured to wear on their sleeve.

I suggest that anyone interested in this issue studies the FIDE Charter which specifically addresses the dual role of those FIDE Council members who are official representatives (delegates) for their federations. Similar provisions welcome participation of Member Federations’ representatives in other FIDE bodies.

The FIDE Council is “a strategic and oversight FIDE body with law-making and executive functions.” Some of the people appointed by the FIDE President to the Council, like my dear friends and colleagues Jiangchuan Ye and Gulkiz Tulay, are also the official FIDE representatives (delegates) from their respective countries, China and Turkey, and they work tirelessly to provide opportunities such as tournaments, seminars, player development for their home countries.

The FIDE Management Board is “the executive, operational and administrative body that assists the President in the day-to-day management of FIDE activities.” We are eleven (11) people appointed personally by the FIDE President and approved by the Council. This is the body that “manages ordinary activities and resources; coordinates current activities of officials, Commissions, offices and employees; provides draft budget; supervises implementation of the budget; approves contracts.”

Several members of the FIDE Management Board who are the official FIDE representatives (delegates) from their respective countries.

GM Victor Bologan, FIDE Executive Director, is a delegate for Moldova.
GM Mohd Al-Mudahka, FIDE International Director, is a delegate for Qatar.
IO Berik Balgabaev, Advisor to the FIDE President, is a delegate for Kazakhstan.


They have made their respective federations very active in FIDE affairs and achieved many agreements that were mutually beneficial for FIDE and those countries.

I am privileged to work daily side-by-side with all these above-mentioned esteemed friends and colleagues, as well as many other FIDE officials who represent their countries in a dignified and highly efficient manner, such as FIDE Council General Secretary Enyonam Sewa “Noël” Fumey (delegate from Togo), FIDE Vice-President Michael Khodarkovsky (delegate for the United States of America), FIDE Vice-President Anastasia Sorokina (delegate for Belarus), FIDE Vice-President Mahir Mammedov (delegate for Azerbaijan), FIDE Vice-President Akaki Iashvili (delegate for Georgia). I am confident that I will be as efficient as they are to bring exciting new opportunities for Canadian players, coaches and organizers once the CFC Voting Members trust me with the position of a delegate from Canada.




2- Do you receive any compensation for your management position in FIDE?

Since the President Arkady Dvorkovich’s 2018 electoral triumph, FIDE started its transformation into a transparent, open, democratic, streamlined institution that is modeled after the best Western corporations. We have a dedicated executive team. The executive compensation numbers are published in the FIDE budget (such as the 2021 budget, presented at the Dec 2020 General Assembly). As was reported to the FIDE Council at the time, the salaries for FIDE managers were cut across the board since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, and remain at those reduced levels. Among other FIDE executives, I do receive compensation for my work.



3- Are you currently a governor or a management member of any CFC rival association or organization?

I am not aware of the existence of any “CFC rival associations or organizations”.


If "yes" to either Question 2 or Question 3, then you must not be a CFC voting member either because it is also a conflict of interest.
As I’ve already explained above, there is *no* conflict of interest, either from the FIDE side or from the CFC side. Both federations are partners working for the same objectives. I am puzzled by your statement that FIDE and the CFC are opponents; I suggest strongly that you study the Charter and other relevant FIDE documents.

Suffice it to say that the Chairman of the elected FIDE Constitutional Commission (CON), which reviews and oversees compliance with “FIDE Charter, Bylaws, Electoral Rules, Ethics and Disciplinary Code, Financial Rules”, is distinguished jurist and academic Roberto Rivello. Maitre Rivello is a delegate for Italy and he does a wonderful job promoting his country’s interests.

FIDE has the Code of Ethics; the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission is chaired by a renowned lawyer François Strydom (South Africa). The CFC has its Continuance papers properly filed with Corporations Canada.

I am in full compliance with both. Electing me to the CFC FIDE Representative position will be in full compliance with both. As already stated, I will look after Canada’s interests and will promote Canada’s agenda.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Being an officer or member of the board of the CMA is not a conflict of interest.

Vlad, in some cases it might be. Though it is not called a conflict of interest; just simple "interest". You might find that in the NFP Act.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

GM Victor Bologan, FIDE Executive Director, is a delegate for Moldova.

The FIDE website says differently

President/Delegate - Dodon, Igor
Vice-President - Bologan, Victor

We know how fast HB was removed from the FIDE website, the above information is up to date, isn't?

Anyway, the nearest CFC elections not for a FIDE delegate.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Vlad, in some cases it might be. Though it is not called a conflict of interest; just simple "interest". You might find that in the NFP Act.

I was addressing Mahmud's post. He used that terminology.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

I was addressing Mahmud's post. He used that terminology.

His terminology is good when dealing within FIDE.

"16.12 FIDE officials may not simultaneously hold another position within the organisation that creates a conflict of interest"

Probably you as a President shall contact the FIDE Ethic commission to get a confirmation that there would be no conflict of interest between " Secretary of the FIDE MB / Deputy Head of the TAD " and "Zonal President".

[Vladimir Drkulec]

His terminology is good when dealing within FIDE.

"16.12 FIDE officials may not simultaneously hold another position within the organisation that creates a conflict of interest"

Probably you as a President shall contact the FIDE Ethic commission to get a confirmation that there would be no conflict of interest between " Secretary of the FIDE MB / Deputy Head of the TAD " and "Zonal President".

Vernon Howard's
SECRETS OF LIFE (R)

************************************************** ********************

"THE POWER OF THEMASWOT

How many times have you found yourself involved with a person or
event only to later regret it? This exercise keeps you out of
trouble in the first place.

The whole idea is for you to be on guard against invitations and
suggestions that look like fun at first but which turn out to be
painful traps. A person will get you involved in something, then
suddenly lose interest in it, leaving you with the responsibilities
and even the debts. Such a person is a hit-and-run artist.

Employ the power of Themaswot. This special word was created to
help you recognize a trap when meeting one.

Themaswot means, 'Themaswot makes the suggestions are the ones who
must do the work, make the decisions and pay the money.' Let this
be your attitude toward deceptive people. Stay away from their
lures. Do not let them unload their follies onto you. Let their
problems remain their problems. The person who causes grief is
the person who must suffer from it and correct it. This is a
Law of Life.

These sly invitations are far more numerous and dangerous than
you may now see. Become aware of them; then let Themaswot keep
you safe."

Practical Exercises for Inner Harmony, # 4


Go to the New Life Bookstore: https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anewlife.org%2Findex.html&data=02%7C01%7Cvdrkulec%40hotmail.com%7Cbc905c496b bc4c7a0e0b08d530ca9920%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaa aaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636468569060873415&sdata=LAcg6ODe2OSnML79iLzBzREL4HQC38rjdkMJb3wYla8% 3D&reserved=0

************************************************** ********************

Visit the SECRETS OF LIFE Archives of Vernon Howard quotes:
https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Farchive.mail-list.com%2Fsecretsoflife&data=02%7C01%7Cvdrkulec%40hotmail.com%7Cbc905c496b bc4c7a0e0b08d530ca9920%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaa aaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636468569060873415&sdata=Gkf9uunbDetE9cLllIRTS8O5USCV7nd0kesIrDc2BNo% 3D&reserved=0

[Nikolay Noritsyn]

Vernon Howard's
SECRETS OF LIFE (R)

************************************************** ********************

"THE POWER OF THEMASWOT

How many times have you found yourself involved with a person or
event only to later regret it? This exercise keeps you out of
trouble in the first place.

The whole idea is for you to be on guard against invitations and
suggestions that look like fun at first but which turn out to be
painful traps. A person will get you involved in something, then
suddenly lose interest in it, leaving you with the responsibilities
and even the debts. Such a person is a hit-and-run artist.

Employ the power of Themaswot. This special word was created to
help you recognize a trap when meeting one.

Themaswot means, 'Themaswot makes the suggestions are the ones who
must do the work, make the decisions and pay the money.' Let this
be your attitude toward deceptive people. Stay away from their
lures. Do not let them unload their follies onto you. Let their
problems remain their problems. The person who causes grief is
the person who must suffer from it and correct it. This is a
Law of Life.

These sly invitations are far more numerous and dangerous than
you may now see. Become aware of them; then let Themaswot keep
you safe."

Practical Exercises for Inner Harmony, # 4


Go to the New Life Bookstore: https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anewlife.org%2Findex.html&data=02%7C01%7Cvdrkulec%40hotmail.com%7Cbc905c496b bc4c7a0e0b08d530ca9920%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaa aaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636468569060873415&sdata=LAcg6ODe2OSnML79iLzBzREL4HQC38rjdkMJb3wYla8% 3D&reserved=0

************************************************** ********************

Visit the SECRETS OF LIFE Archives of Vernon Howard quotes:
https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Farchive.mail-list.com%2Fsecretsoflife&data=02%7C01%7Cvdrkulec%40hotmail.com%7Cbc905c496b bc4c7a0e0b08d530ca9920%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaa aaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636468569060873415&sdata=Gkf9uunbDetE9cLllIRTS8O5USCV7nd0kesIrDc2BNo% 3D&reserved=0


“It seemed to K. as if at last those people had broken off all relations with him, and as if now in reality he were freer than he had ever been, and at liberty to wait here in this place usually forbidden to him as long as he desired, and had won a freedom such as hardly anybody else had ever succeeded in winning, and as if nobody could dare touch him or drive him away, or even speak to him, but — this conviction was at least equally as strong — as if at the same time there was nothing more senseless, more hopeless, than this freedom, this waiting, this inviolability.”
― Franz Kafka, The Castle

[Pierre Dénommée]

The Conflict of Interest provisions of the NFP Act are far more lenient then their counterpart in the Canada Business Corporations Act.

If CMA did not exist, all children in their program may be CFC due paying members playing CFC rated games instead of CMA rated games. When I was an FQE director, the board did notice that the actual transfer rate from CMA to actual due-paying FQE members involved in competitive chess was negligible. CMA produces titled players in small quantity. I doubt that either the CFC or the FQE could replace CMA if it closes tomorrow.

All that is required is a declaration of the Conflict of Interest and to abstain in votes that could affect CMA.

https://educaloi.qc.ca/en/capsules/incorporated-non-profits-organizations-conflicts-of-interest-of-directors/

[Vladimir Drkulec]

The Conflict of Interest provisions of the NFP Act are far more lenient then their counterpart in the Canada Business Corporations Act.

If CMA did not exist, all children in their program may be CFC due paying members playing CFC rated games instead of CMA rated games. When I was an FQE director, the board did notice that the actual transfer rate from CMA to actual due-paying FQE members involved in competitive chess was negligible. CMA produces titled players in small quantity. I doubt that either the CFC or the FQE could replace CMA if it closes tomorrow.

All that is required is a declaration of the Conflict of Interest and to abstain in votes that could affect CMA.

https://educaloi.qc.ca/en/capsules/incorporated-non-profits-organizations-conflicts-of-interest-of-directors/



To paraphrase a line from a Clint Eastwood movie. "A NFP has to know its limitations." Yes, we have one contractor/employee. We have to set priorities.

Warren Buffet suggests that people and corporations should come up with a list of their top 25 priorities or tasks and then rank those priorities in order of importance. Once satisfied with the ranking they should draw a line under number five on their list and then never again work on number six through twenty five and instead concentrate all of their attention on priority number one through five. Of course they should also periodically reevaluate their list of priorities and make changes that reflect the reality of their new situation much as we must reassess the situation on a chessboard as each move changes the character of the position.

All the people playing online chess may become CFC due paying members playing CFC rated games instead of Chess.com or lichess.org rated games.

The hard part is translating these modifiers of "may" and their inherent uncertainty from potentiality to actuality.

Hope is not a strategy and neither is coveting the results of someone else's labour. I know that you Pierre are not doing that but others in these threads are doing that.

[Svitlana Demchenko]

Hello everyone, my name is Svitlana Demchenko, some of you may know me from youth events or the Woman Olympiad team. I don’t usually post on sites, but this seems to be an interesting discussion.

I’m lucky to know all three candidates, Aris, Victor, and Vadim as very good professionals, and people in general. I was privileged to travel for many tournaments in our country and internationally, but my hometown is Ottawa and I play regularly at the RA Club (or, rather, played, before the pandemic). Thus, I had many interactions over the years with Aris Marghetis and I respect him as a solid professional, who is very good at organizing and arbitrating chess tournaments for both CFC and CMA. I also had positive experiences with Victor Plotkin, who I know as a strong player and very professional team captain. I have witnessed Victor’s successful management of the men’s team at Batumi Olympiad and great leadership at the 2020 Online Olympiad for our team – he is amply qualified for that position.

However, for the position of CFC FIDE Representative, I would like to express my support for Vadim Tsypin. As I know, Vadim is part of FIDE management and has already taken many crucial actions that benefited our chess community, especially young players.

In my experience with him at many events, he was always helpful, kind, and very resourceful. At the 2019 World U-16 Youth Chess Olympiad in Turkey, Vadim had the job of the FIDE Technical Delegate. Still, however incredibly overloaded he was, Vadim always found time to help Team Canada. He made sure to see the team well before each round, took note of our requests, and resolved them all in no time. Another example was bringing Team Canada (all-expenses-paid!), to the 14th edition of the Vladimir Dvorkovich Cup in 2019, held in Kazakhstan. It was the first time ever that Canada was invited, and our participation only became possible because of Vadim’s stature at FIDE. This was the first time in many years that my teammates and I were able to participate in an international Rapid and Blitz event. Cynthia, Adam, Henry, and I absolutely loved our time at the VDC, thanks to Vadim’s endless care and attention. All four of us Canadian players saw with our own eyes how much respect and deference Vadim garners among his fellow FIDE executives, state and national federations’ officials, coaches, players, and the FIDE President.

Thinking about the next cohort of young players, wouldn’t it be great if they, too, could get the same support and opportunities that we did? I am sure that electing Vadim Tsypin as the CFC FIDE Representative will be a huge benefit to the Canadian youth, and the chess community as a whole.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Thank you, Svitlana! Its great to see the younger generation getting involved in the CFC and its governance. When the time comes this will be yours, and Rohan's and Cynthia's and Adam's and Henry's to carry into the future for the benefit of generations to come. When I taught at university, I found my chess students were more articulate and able to express themselves clearly than many of my university students and this pattern continues with your post.

[Aris Marghetis]

Aris' mini-bio:

Hello everyone, in the last couple of weeks for our family, with a death and three hospitalizations, I've been slow to post my bio for CFC FIDE Representative.

In the meantime, here's a link to my position at the FIDE Arbiters' Commission:

https://arbiters.fide.com/about-the-arb/team-arb-2/team-arb-aris-marghetis

Thank you, best regards, Aris Marghetis.

[Maroun Tomb]

Hi Vadim,

I am pleased to see you are applying for this position.

Ever since you started organizing tournaments in Montreal in 2017, you helped the trend to have most Quebec tournaments registered in chess-results and become FIDE rated. You grew the number of tournaments especially for U20 players and ensured it had FIDE rated games. This helped a lot of young QC players acquire a FIDE rating and having a national ranking in the FIDE list. I think you brought a lot of value there and enabled positive changes.

I was happy to see you in Batumi, Georgia at the 2018 Chess Olympiads and noticed your energy and high engagement in helping Canada be well represented. I am certain that if you end up being the selected candidate, you will give it your 100%.

Best of luck!

Stay safe,
NM & FIDE CM Maroun Tomb.

[Anna Burtasova]

As the election approaches, I would like to put my two cents in the discussion.

I am new to the Canadian chess scene and I feel privileged that I received a very warm welcome from all the people I've met so far. Maybe I am naive but I believe that we have a friendly community bonded by our love to the game and desire for chess in Canada to develop and prosper.

I voted for the elections to be held, and I am happy to see that this decision led to three very worthy candidates coming forward. I've never met Aris in person but heard only good things about him and his organizational skills. I've met Victor when playing in GTA chess league and later was privileged to be a member of Canadian team under his captain guidance during the Online Olympiad in August, and I think highly of him too. They both play important roles in chess life of Canada and Ontario, and I thank them both for that.

However, for the CFC FIDE Representative position, Vadim is the best candidate in my opinion. He is very active and professional in regard to organizing things, and I know it from my experience of working with him within FIDE. But the most important thing is that he knows his way around FIDE and is always up to date with the latest developments, programs, tournaments, so Canadian chess can benefit from this. I don't think there is any conflict of interest because FIDE's and CFC's interests do not contradict, they coincide, and Vadim will be able to lobby CFC's interests in FIDE for the better of all of us.

[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

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

In compliance with the election procedures published (http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/showthread.php?5572-Special-Meeting-of-Voting-Members-Sunday-February-21-to-Thursday-February-25&p=36016#post36016) 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.

[Vadim Tsypin]

For the purposes of organizing the World Championship Cycle and to facilitate awarding player titles, FIDE groups its member countries into sets called “FIDE zones” that are further divided into subzones. There are more than thirty such zones and subzones in FIDE. They would typically group from three to twenty-two countries each.

There are only six FIDE member countries that have their own zones. Here they are, with their respective positions in the Top Federations rating list.


Europe:
1 Russia 2730
5 Ukraine 2665
Asia:
3 China 2702
4 India 2668
The Americas:
2 USA 2713
34 Canada 2534

Yes, the countries that enjoy their own zones and all the perks that come with them are # 1, # 2, # 3, # 4, # 5 – and # 34, Canada! FIDE was very kind to us in this respect and I will strengthen the affinity between the CFC and FIDE so that our country continues to benefit from this arrangement.

Having its own zone allows Canadian players, male and female, to earn norms in competitions on our soil, at home, without crippling travel expenses that are especially painful for up-and-coming juniors and their parents. Having its own zone allows Canadians a shot at direct titles in our home-based Zonal tournaments (the requirements became more severe in recent years but there is always a chance that they can be loosened again). Having its own zone allows Canada to have more places both in the World Cup and in Women’s World Cup.

One of my highest priorities as the CFC FIDE Representative will be to preserve Canada's own zone.

[Vadim Tsypin]

I will establish or strengthen horizontal ties with fellow FIDE Members, other National Chess Federations (NCFs). Decentralization and professional networks is the key in our day and age. My healthy friendly relationships both within FIDE management and with the executives of key chess federation in the Americas, Asia and Europe will allow me to obtain unique opportunities for Canadian players and officials, especially for the young players.

I will continue working tirelessly to leverage my international connections for the benefit of Canadians. One of the achievements I am 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 I 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. I 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]

I will work with the CFC Executive, provincial associations, chess organizers, local tourism bureaus and chambers of commerce to bring FIDE events to Canada. There are two major types of FIDE events: summits (a FIDE Congress, an in-person FIDE Council meeting, an in-person Management Board meeting) and competitions (the World and Continental events, including those for Youth, Seniors, and Disabled players). Our federation has licensed International Organizers who are the only people allowed to sign bids for FIDE events. When communities and corporate sponsors support, we shall not hesitate to bid on the World (L1 level) FIDE competitions, starting with some simpler ones.

Canada shall have a more fruitful and mutually beneficial partnership with our continental body, the Confederation of Chess for Americas (CCA). We shall establish a rotation schedule similar to those that already exists for the North America Youth Ch. In this case, Canada will be able to host Panamerican Open, Women’s, Youth, Scholastic, and others.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Canada has great coaches and arbiters who are excellent in passing on knowledge to others. FIDE has a variety of programs where stronger chess countries help developing nations. These programs are financed from the FIDE Development Fund. Of particular interest to Canadian professionals are the help programs for such newly admitted Caribbean nations as St. Lucia, Grenada, Cayman Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis.

I will make sure that Canada participates in these programs so that our coaches and arbiters have a chance to train players and officials in the Caribbean.

[Vadim Tsypin]

The CFC’s daily operations are a labour of love by our great Executive Director Bob Gillanders. Bob is doing a great job, despite being constantly overworked in having to combine essentially several demanding positions: the Executive Director, the Technical Director, The Rating Officer, and the Titles Officer.

As a person responsible for procurement within FIDE, I will share with the CFC the best practices of FIDE’s own offices around the world and those of leading national federations. I will help Bob and the CFC Executive to identify which logistical solutions and software platforms used by our colleagues worldwide might be beneficial for Canada.

[Vadim Tsypin]

I am running for the CFC FIDE Representative in order to serve the Canadian chess community, to become its steward at FIDE, and to provide for its well-being. I will devote all my energy to serving your interests. I truly believe that our big chess family deserves a much better life, and I promise to use all my knowledge, skills and experience to make it happen.

Let’s succeed and prosper together!

[Vadim Tsypin]

One of the many ways FIDE helps people worldwide is through the projects managed by its Social Commission in coordination with other stakeholders.

As we all know, the First FIDE Online World Corporate Chess Championship will be played next weekend (February 19-21). There are 284 teams registered from 78 different countries, for a total 1,467 players.

FIDE doesn't charge an entry fee of any kind for this competition. However, FIDE organized a fundraiser in cooperation with the Softgiving platform. Participating companies are encouraged to donate towards one of three FIDE social projects:

Chess in Education programs for underprivileged children,
Chess for people with Disabilities,
Veteran support program.

Members of the public can contribute as well on a dedicated page:
https://give.softgiving.com/FIDE

[Victor Plotkin]

As part of his campaign, Vadim sent an email to me (!!) with a great offer to publicly support and endorse him, because he is the best candidate for this position.

Maybe I am just an old-fashioned person. Maybe I am still living in the 19th century. Maybe I don't understand modern trends in chess politics. But I don't understand this at all. How could a candidate send this kind of email to another candidate with such a peculiar proposal?

Vadim believes that he is the best candidate... and that may be the case. Vadim believes that he will get overwhelming support in every province... possible as well. However, as a respectful human being he shouldn't send this sort of email to another candidate.

It's like if I were to play chess against Vadim and propose that he resigns in the initial position, before the game even starts. Why? Because I am a better player and will very likely win this game anyway.

CFC chess politics is really funny sometimes.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Dear colleagues, honourable Voting Members:

During the four weeks of the election campaign I had the privilege to reach out, personally and in groups, to more than thirty of you via Zoom, WhatsApp, or phone, and to even more via e-mail. From sea to shining sea, from Charlottetown to Victoria, you kindly shared with me your concerns. Concerns about support for dues-paying rank and file members who play chess at a club level. Concerns about assistance to local organizers. Concerns about fairness in distribution of both CFC flagship events and other marquee events among four major geographical regions of our great country. I answered your questions, provided information and source materials. I was already able to help your important projects on some occasions.

My published program resonated with you, the voters, and with the CFC grassroots. On this very forum, I was humbled to be publicly endorsed by two distinguished members of the Canadian Women’s Olympiad teams, by a captain of a Canadian team playing in the World Corporate Ch., by the best Head of Delegation our World Youth contingents ever knew. The legendary GM Lev Alburt and others endorsed me on their Facebooks, as did some young up-and-coming players whose first steps in chess I was fortunate to nurture a decade ago. I am grateful for your widespread support. I welcome all endorsements, public and private. I call upon every CFC member to join me under a big tent with the Maple Leaf proudly painted on the top.

There is such a wealth of talented, intelligent, hard-working people who devote their time to chess at scholastic, club, and elite levels! Together, united, with the help of FIDE and in partnership with our biggest ally the USCF and other national federations, we can usher in a new golden age for chess in Canada. There is a place for everyone - Aris, Victor, Hal, Mahmud, Egis – for everyone who loves Canadian chess and is willing to put their considerable talents to serve the game we love. Everyone is welcome to do what his skills set allows. I am a consensus builder. Let us combine our efforts and pull together for the prosperity of Canadian chess!

[Aris Marghetis]

As part of his campaign, Vadim sent an email to me (!!) with a great offer to publicly support and endorse him, because he is the best candidate for this position.

Maybe I am just an old-fashioned person. Maybe I am still living in the 19th century. Maybe I don't understand modern trends in chess politics. But I don't understand this at all. How could a candidate send this kind of email to another candidate with such a peculiar proposal?

Vadim believes that he is the best candidate... and that may be the case. Vadim believes that he will get overwhelming support in every province... possible as well. However, as a respectful human being he shouldn't send this sort of email to another candidate.

It's like if I were to play chess against Vadim and propose that he resigns in the initial position, before the game even starts. Why? Because I am a better player and will very likely win this game anyway.

CFC chess politics is really funny sometimes.

I hereby confirm that I also received such an email from Vadim Tsypin.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Dear colleagues:


I will establish or strengthen horizontal ties with fellow FIDE Members, other National Chess Federations (NCFs). Decentralization and professional networks is the key in our day and age. My healthy friendly relationships both within FIDE management and with the executives of key chess federation in the Americas, Asia and Europe will allow me to obtain unique opportunities for Canadian players and officials, especially for the young players.


There are so many intriguing possibilities for online and, eventually, over-the-board matches between players at all levels from Canada and a partner federation: senior players, club-level players, scholastic games, IM/GM norm events. To finance such exchanges, we will not necessarily go looking for partnerships with countries that are rich and powerful (U.K., France, or Japan). Many developing economies have chess funding that exceeds our wildest dreams but might be quite interested in various intangibles that Canada can offer.

I am pleased to direct you to an opinion piece published on the CMA Web site. This article analyzes issues with player development in Canada and draws attention to the positive experiences and government programs in one of rapidly expanding Central Asian economies.

An equivalent of US$ 4 million of annual guaranteed funding from state budget just for scholastic chess – isn’t it fantastic even by North American standards?!

https://chess-math.org/blog/uzbekistan-set-become-world-chess-leader-thanks-presidents-decree

The CFC would benefit greatly from forming horizontal, peer-to-peer relationships with the Chess Federation of Uzbekistan and similar relationships with other rapidly developing chess powers, such as the All-India Chess Federation. Thanks to my already established contacts with federation officials around the world, we shall be able to start working on drafting Memorandums of Understanding right after the election!

[Mahmud Hassain]

As part of his campaign, Vadim sent an email to me (!!) with a great offer to publicly support and endorse him, because he is the best candidate for this position.

Maybe I am just an old-fashioned person. Maybe I am still living in the 19th century. Maybe I don't understand modern trends in chess politics. But I don't understand this at all. How could a candidate send this kind of email to another candidate with such a peculiar proposal?

Vadim believes that he is the best candidate... and that may be the case. Vadim believes that he will get overwhelming support in every province... possible as well. However, as a respectful human being he shouldn't send this sort of email to another candidate.

It's like if I were to play chess against Vadim and propose that he resigns in the initial position, before the game even starts. Why? Because I am a better player and will very likely win this game anyway.

CFC chess politics is really funny sometimes.

Ladies and Gentlemen Voting Members,
For any one who has any ounce of integrity, responsibility and ethics, Vadim is absolutely not qualified to hold neither a voting member nor a CFC delegate. From what I have gathered, his case is over for me.

Vadim is a member of the "CORE MANAGEMENT TEAM of FIDE". Vadim can not represent you, as a Canadian, to FIDE. You can not represent us to "yourself" damn it!!.
Vadim is a leading member of CMA (VP), Clearly competing with CFC in geographical domain (Canada) and the target group (youth). Acting against the best interests of CFC.

Vadim, why are you so adamant that you must/need to hold the following positions simultaneously? Especially when we have others who are willing to stand!
-FIDE Management Team
-VP of CMA
-Voting Member of CFC
-CFC representative to FIDE

Only in dictatorships and Banana Republics this could happen. Therefore, I am pleading with you and urging all of you, the voting members, to disqualify Vadim form any CFC governing position.

Vadim, IS THIS WHY YOU DID NOT INVITE ME, and tens of other voting members, TO YOUR "ZOOM PRESENTATION"?? The CFC is not your house nor is it your fiefdom. You do not own the CFC.

Ladies and Gentlemen Voting Members, please be warned and herby informed that if you do not disqualify Vadim, I will not hesitate to, and I will go public with this. This is shame to Canada, and shame to our federation.

This is my duty and it is YOUR duty as well.

[Sasha Starr]

Ladies and Gentlemen Voting Members,
For any one who has any ounce of integrity, responsibility and eth

Vadim is a member of the "CORE MANAGEMENT TEAM of FIDE". Vadim can not represent you, as a Canadian, to FIDE. You can not represent us to "yourself" damn it!!.
Vadim is a leading member of CMA (VP), Clearly competing with CFC in geographical domain (Canada) and the target group (youth). Acting against the best interests of CFC.

Vadim, why are you so adamant that you must/need to hold the following positions simultaneously? Especially when we have others who are willing to stand!
-FIDE Management Team
-VP of CMA
-Voting Member of CFC
-CFC representative to FIDE

Only in dictatorships and Banana Republics this could happen. Therefore, I am pleading with you and urging all of you, the voting members, to disqualify Vadim form any CFC governing position.

Vadim, IS THIS WHY YOU DID NOT INVITE ME, and tens of other voting members, TO YOUR "ZOOM PRESENTATION"?? The CFC is not your house nor is it your fiefdom. You do not own the CFC.

Ladies and Gentlemen Voting Members, please be warned and herby informed that if you do not disqualify Vadim, I will not hesitate to, and I will go public with this. This is shame to Canada, and shame to our federation.

This is my duty and it is YOUR duty as well.

Dear Mahmud Hassain,
As you've noted Mr. Vadim Tsypin is VP of CMA, VM of CFC and on FIDE Management Team. He has these positions for sometime already. So the case for the disqualification of Vadim you are making now could have been raised at any point in the past, however you are doing it NOW. Why? This is from your post: "Vadim is absolutely not qualified to hold neither a voting member nor a CFC delegate. From what I have gathered, his case is over for me." Lets understand: WHAT exactly have you gathered? And WHEN.
Sasha Starr, VP.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Ladies and Gentlemen Voting Members, please be warned and herby informed that if you do not disqualify Vadim, I will not hesitate to, and I will go public with this.

Voting members have not any power to disqualify the person from elections. The CFC has not the Nomination Committee what would screen candidates and recommend them for farther elections. As the limit of % for the nomination is very low in the CFC, the person can nominate himself. The voting members can express their opinion and vote.

FYI: This forum is already public. If you want keep matters only to VMs, you need to post in http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/forumdisplay.php?6-CFC-Voting-Members-Discussion

FYI: If you will be not happy how the election proceeded you might go to a court (se NFP Act.)

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Voting members have not any power to disqualify the person from elections. The CFC has not the Nomination Committee what would screen candidates and recommend them for farther elections. As the limit of % for the nomination is very low in the CFC, the person can nominate himself. The voting members can express their opinion and vote.

FYI: This forum is already public. If you want keep matters only to VMs, you need to post in http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/forumdisplay.php?6-CFC-Voting-Members-Discussion

FYI: If you will be not happy how the election proceeded you might go to a court (se NFP Act.)

It is bordering on a breach of fiduciary duty for a member of the board to suggest that someone might go to court on these matters.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

It is bordering on a breach of fiduciary duty for a member of the board to suggest that someone might go to court on these matters.

To inform the member of his "rights" is far from the breach. While it is quite different let's call it a duty of care to have informed members.

[Sasha Starr]

It makes me disturbed somewhat the luck of Mahmud Hassain's reply to my post. However will wait a little longer, I guess...

In his message there are heavy accusations against one candidate out of three, threats to disqualify etc. If it is his opinion that the other two candidates are better then Vadim Tsypin he can by no means vote for one of them, no problem. However he goes ballistic against a candidate who definitely has qualifications and meticulously voiced them here and elsewhere. Furthermore, Mahmud Hassain is not dismissing Vadim's qualifications. He's not even trying to explain what makes the other two candidates the better choices. Instead he's arguing for disqualification of the actually viable candidate! ALL VM "...who has any ounce of integrity, responsibility and eth" should disqualify Vadim Tsypin - but as you know there is not even a mechanism to achieve it! So as a minimum VM who read Mahmud Hassain's post should NOT vote for Vadim! Is that a real Mahmud Hassain message? He goes: "Ladies and Gentlemen Voting Members, please be warned and herby informed that if you do not disqualify Vadim, I will not hesitate to, and I will go public with this. This is shame to Canada, and shame to our federation." It is a very heavy statement including warning and effectively an ultimatum.

That led me to believe that Mahmud Hassain has really gathered something new, unique, and extremely important information regarding Vadim. Will try one more time: Mahmud Hassain, please tell us: WHAT exactly have you gathered? And WHEN.

Sasha Starr, VM.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

468

Tel-Aviv, February 18, 2021

Board of Directors, Chess Federation of Canada
Canadian chess community


Dear chess friends,

As you know, I served with distinction for many years as the FIDE Vice-President and the ranking member of the Commission for World Championships & Olympiads (WCOC). Canada was always a part of our team. I had many wonderful interactions with Mr. Hal Bond who was the Canada delegate and one of the favorites of former President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Deputy President Georgios Makropoulos. Mr. Bond always had an ear of the FIDE leadership and was appointed to the most prestigious competitions in his personal capacity as an arbiter. My only regret was that FIDE never organized any competition in Canada nor assisted your federation in any significant way. I salute Mr. Bond for his years of service and I will keep great memories of the conversations that Mr. Makropoulos, he and I held together.

Our team has achieved a lot at FIDE: unified the World Championship cycle, started World Cups and the Grand Prix events, held fantastic Olympiads in Tromso and Baku. We did what we believed was good for chess at the moment. Still, everything in this world has an expiry date. The October 2018 FIDE election was about competing visions for the FIDE future in the 21st century. Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich’s dynamic New Horizons team won resoundingly. Most of us veterans of the previous administration sailed gently into sunset but kept watching the new FIDE’s efforts bringing our noble game to a higher level.

I came across the fact that your federation is about to choose a new FIDE delegate. I do not know the other candidates but I do know Mr. Vadim Tsypin and I believe he will contribute a lot to the world of chess and Canadian chess as well.

The first time I met Vadim Tsypin in person was at the FIDE Congress in Batumi, Georgia, where he distinguished himself as a member of Arkady Dvorkovich’s FIDE Presidential Election campaign. As designated representatives of both candidates, Mr. Tsypin and I served along with Chief Scrutineer Ms. Carol Jarecki (British Virgin Islands) on a vote integrity committee at the FIDE Congress.

Even though we were on opposing sides, I could not help but notice how efficient Vadim was in providing analytics, preparing for the commission hearings, managing and structuring a flow of incoming information. My understanding is that Vadim speaks at least three languages fluently so he was able to reach out to many delegates even across the aisle and to make his mark in several important meetings. All this time, Vadim remained unfailingly polite and courteous. He treats his opponents with utmost respect; he discusses ideas and concepts, never lowering himself to ad hominem attacks. However, I had more than one opportunity to find out that Vadim is an experienced debater who puts forward surgically precise and clinically lethal arguments that prevail over his opponents’ logic.

It was a pleasure for me to work with Ms. Jarecki and Mr. Tsypin on a vote integrity committee (please see photos attached). We completed our work in a professional respectful manner and the results were ratified by both candidates’ campaigns, which closed the page on the 2018 election.

As I keep relations with my friends in FIDE administration, I am well informed of FIDE’s current activities. I see that Vadim is a consummate professional who garners universal respect from colleagues in the chess world. That’s why it was no surprise for anyone that Vadim Tsypin was appointed to a crucial position of the Secretary of the Management Board. Vadim’s role has been important in projects that became hallmarks of the new FIDE, such as elimination of various fees.

As mentioned above, I believe that Mr. Vadim Tsypin will make a perfect Canadian delegate to FIDE.

Sincerely,


Israel Gelfer


My reply:


Dear FIDE Senior Trainer Israel Gelfer,


Thank you, for your endorsement letter in favour of Mr. Vadim Tsypin and for your kind words about Mr. Hal Bond.


I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that I have a well-worn copy of your "Positional Chess Handbook" which has given me many hours of enjoyment and which I suspect will continue to do so for many years into the future. Thank you, for authoring this book.


With warmest regards,



Vladimir Drkulec
President, Chess Federation of Canada

[Victor Itkin]

It is bordering on a breach of fiduciary duty for a member of the board to suggest that someone might go to court on these matters.

Common, Vlad! This is not a suggestion for somebody to go to the court. Egis is just explaining voting procedure in CFC.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Common, Vlad! This is not a suggestion for somebody to go to the court. Egis is just explaining voting procedure in CFC.




FYI: If you will be not happy how the election proceeded you might go to a court (se NFP Act.)

In this case we have to look at what was said and not what we wish had been said.

[Christopher Mallon]

This seems to be a playbook for you Vlad.

- Use people as long as they are useful for you
- Attack them and/or burn them out as soon as they aren't
- Threaten "The CFC will lose NFP status!" anytime someone suggests something you don't like.
- Completely ignore anytime someone suggests - with quotes from the NFP act - that you are doing/suggesting something that might breach the rules.

So now it seems you've turned most of the existing executive against you - here you are arguing in public with the VP - so you've apparently decided to stack the executive with your own friends?

And really, who CARES if someone from Israel likes one candidate over another? Why would you even bother to post such a thing, much less ask for a letter of recommendation? What do you think the reaction in Israel would be if someone here started trying to meddle in elections over there?

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Ladies and Gentlemen Voting Members,
For any one who has any ounce of integrity, responsibility and ethics, Vadim is absolutely not qualified to hold neither a voting member nor a CFC delegate. From what I have gathered, his case is over for me.

Setting aside your double negative and grammatical errors it really appears to me that you do not know what those words :"integrity, responsibility and ethics" mean. You are accusing voting members who do not share your opinion of lacking those qualities.



Vadim is a member of the "CORE MANAGEMENT TEAM of FIDE". Vadim can not represent you, as a Canadian, to FIDE. You can not represent us to "yourself" damn it!!.

Tell that to Gilbert Perez. After launching efforts with Hal Bond, I opened a parallel track with Vadim Tsypin and asked him if we could get anything done for Gilbert in order to allow him to achieve his dream of representing Canada in the Online Olympiad for Disabled players. Hal said that there wasn't much that could be done. Vadim suggested how we might get the Philippines Chess Federation to waive their portion of the fees. Initially that didn't work. Right about this time Hal Bond said there was nothing that could be done. Vadim called up the delegate from the Philippines and asked him to waive the fees. They kindly agreed to waive their portion of the fee. Then Vadim shepherded our request for a fee waiver and transfer through the Verification Commission and the Commission for Disabled Players and then it reached the FIDE management board.

Re: Update on Gilbert Perez's transfer
Vadim I. Tsypin

Thu 2020-10-08 10:18 AM

Good morning Vlad,


Thanks a lot for your kind words. The reason I got involved in chess, first as a parent, then as a volunteer, then as a professional, was to help people, especially those who require support: youth, seniors, non-seeing. When you told me about this disabled player's plight, it touched me profoundly. Glad that I was able to do my small part.


So - the news is great albeit anticlimactic. ;-) The just-completed Management Board meeting approved the CFC request, waived all fees due to FIDE, instructed appropriate bodies to accomplish the transfer. Congratulations!


As usual, it will take some time for me to prepare the official texts of all decisions and to send them to involved parties. The Canadian item was near the end of the agenda but I hope to send you the official document on - or even by - Friday. Once you receive it, you can tell the player and the CFC Executive when you believe appropriate. For now, please forward me a package of Gilbert Perez' transfer documents that he sent to the CFC, I will try to deliver it to the Elista office before *their* Friday morning then. :)


Very happy,


--
V.T.




On Mon, Oct 5, 2020 at 10:33 PM Vladimir Drkulec wrote:


Hello Vadim,


Thanks for your help on this matter.


I sent Hal Bond the details of this situation, about the same time that I contacted you. By the time you got the Philippine rep to waive the fee, Hal was saying that there was nothing that could be done. When we finally reach the end of this process and Gilbert can play on our team, I intend to tell this story and the lessons that it shows. I intend to be profusely thankful to you and the role that you played in husbanding this to a successful conclusion.


With warmest regards,


Vlad


From: Vadim I. Tsypin <vadim.tsypin@gmail.com>
Sent: October 5, 2020 10:24 PM
To: Vladimir Drkulec <vdrkulec@hotmail.com>
Subject: Update on Gilbert Perez's transfer

Good evening Vlad,


No big news, everything proceeds orderly through the gears. As planned, DIS and QC gave their formal written support to Canada's official request, so I added this item to the agenda of this week's Management Board meeting. Will notify you immediately once it's discussed.


There shall be no obstacles, and the good thing is that by now all decision-makers for the Paralympiad are aware of and sympathetic to Mr. Perez's situation, so there is little danger he would "fall through the cracks" because of deadlines. We'll just need to submit the document package quickly once the MB takes a decision.


Kind regards,


--
V.T.
















Vadim is a leading member of CMA (VP), Clearly competing with CFC in geographical domain (Canada) and the target group (youth). Acting against the best interests of CFC.

You keep saying this. How is the CMA competing with the CFC? They are introducing children to chess in a limited number of cities. I don't think they are even the largest group that teaches chess in Canada. Some of those children go on to play in CFC events and tournaments. They are our farm team that feeds the system. They are one of several. Our focus is on tournament players. Their focus is on children. They are part of our infrastructure. I would guess that many voting members have some connection to the CMA having run tournaments for them and the kids. I would guess that any voting member involved in chess training of children has worked with the CMA.



Vadim, why are you so adamant that you must/need to hold the following positions simultaneously? Especially when we have others who are willing to stand!
-FIDE Management Team
-VP of CMA
-Voting Member of CFC
-CFC representative to FIDE

Only in dictatorships and Banana Republics this could happen. Therefore, I am pleading with you and urging all of you, the voting members, to disqualify Vadim form any CFC governing position.

We certainly wouldn't want him to abuse his authority by helping other Canadians like Gilbert Perez through the maze of the FIDE process.



Vadim, IS THIS WHY YOU DID NOT INVITE ME, and tens of other voting members, TO YOUR "ZOOM PRESENTATION"??

I am pretty sure that was because the contact information for you was incorrect and was bouncing back.



The CFC is not your house nor is it your fiefdom. You do not own the CFC.

Non sequitur.




Ladies and Gentlemen Voting Members, please be warned and herby informed that if you do not disqualify Vadim, I will not hesitate to, and I will go public with this. This is shame to Canada, and shame to our federation.

This is my duty and it is YOUR duty as well.

Go public with what? Go public to whom? A shame how?

[Michael Barron]

Dear chess friends,

I got an invitation to chess show which will be aired on Saturday, February 20, at 3 pm EST and want to share it with you all:

Here is a link to the Youtube's upcoming Saturday's chess show.
View Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFhwjmxNhbs

I asked Sasha why he didn't invite all 3 candidates and got the following reply:

"I've spoken to all three candidates for the post of CFCs FIDE Representative.

As you know I have a Chess Show on IBM TV every Saturday at 3 PM. And thought that it would be very interesting to invite all three candidates to participate in this show with links sent to all voting members so everyone could make up his/her minds based on the open debates' format, and being able to send questions to all and any candidate.

I've informed all that to create a poster and links for the show, I need information and pictures of each candidate no later than Tuesday evening.

Regrettably only one candidate, Vadim Tsypin, has agreed to participate in the program and sent me a picture. Aris Marghetis on the other hand has ignored my invitation and hasn't even replied, while Victor Plotkin has refused to participate unless all three candidates would show up. Sorry, I can't comply with Victor's condition for an obvious reason.

Will send you the YouTube link in the next day or two. Please send me any questions from you or other VMs to Vadim.
"

Thankfully, after some tricks I was able to upload a poster :

464


Hopefully, this show could help us to make informed decision during coming meeting.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Aris is dealing with some family health issues, so that likely contributed to him not being able to attend the debate.

[Aris Marghetis]

Aris is dealing with some family health issues, so that likely contributed to him not being able to attend the debate.

Which is exactly what I explained to Sasha when WE SPOKE ON THE PHONE EARLIER THAT DAY. How that qualifies as not replying, I don't know. To his credit, Sasha then wished me and my family well. Michael, I'm disappointed you chose to post that without clarification on the factually incorrect Aris-never-replied. Come on man.

[Sasha Starr]

Aris,

Please allow me to comment on your statement "factually incorrect Aris-never-replied" remark.

During our phone conversation Tuesday morning I've outlined to you my goal: to have a chess show with all 3 candidates facing questions from the panelists which includes well known chess personalities.
Furthermore, the candidates could've asked each other any questions regarding their programs, related experience, etc. so Voting Members could have an additional source of info helping them making intelligent choice.

During our phone conversation I've requested that in case you are moving forward with your participation you would had to commit yourself for 1 hour from 3 to 4 PM on Saturday and email me your picture. I've explained that I needed your answer by Tuesday evening because on Wednesday I had to create the poster and links for the program. By Tuesday evening I haven't heard from you. At about 8 PM on Tuesday Michael Barron sent you an email with cc to me asking you to contact me asap. However by the end of Tuesday you haven't replied. That was an indication that you've declined my invitation due to either your unwillingness to participate in the show or more likely because of your inability to make it due to the family health issues. Next day you've clarified this issue (family health) and I wished you and your family well.
So you think that your call was a reply. However what I meant was your non reply via email to my invitation by Tuesday evening.

Again, hopefully there will be other opportunities. Again, best wishes to you and your family. Stay well, keep safe.

Sasha Starr, VM.

[Christopher Mallon]

Aris,

Please allow me to comment on your statement "factually incorrect Aris-never-replied" remark.

During our phone conversation Tuesday morning I've outlined to you my goal: to have a chess show with all 3 candidates facing questions from the panelists which includes well known chess personalities.
Furthermore, the candidates could've asked each other any questions regarding their programs, related experience, etc. so Voting Members could have an additional source of info helping them making intelligent choice.

During our phone conversation I've requested that in case you are moving forward with your participation you would had to commit yourself for 1 hour from 3 to 4 PM on Saturday and email me your picture. I've explained that I needed your answer by Tuesday evening because on Wednesday I had to create the poster and links for the program. By Tuesday evening I haven't heard from you. I meant that you haven't replied to my invitation. That was an indication that you've declined my invitation due to either your unwillingness to do so or more likely because of your inability to make it due to the family health issues. Next day you've clarified this issue (family health) and I wished you and your family well.
So you think that your call was a reply. However what I meant was your non reply to my invitation to the chess show by Tuesday evening.

This explanation actually makes you look worse. So you were already aware of his family health issues at the time it went public, and still tried to mislead everyone with the statement that he ignored your invitation, which he obviously did not do since you spoke to him on the phone.

[Sasha Starr]

Christopher,
Thank you for your comments. However you are wrong. There is no explanation of any kind making me look worse as you've proposed. Also I'm not misleading anyone.
I've explained Aris that I need his reply in writing with his picture by the end of Tuesday. If he would've told me in the morning that he is not going to participate I would've not asked him for the confirming email. Got it? And just be careful accusing me with "misleading everyone".

[Christopher Mallon]

Christopher,
Thank you for your comments. However you are wrong. There is no explanation of any kind making me look worse as you've proposed. Also I'm not misleading anyone.
I've explained Aris that I need his reply in writing with his picture by the end of Tuesday. If he would've told me in the morning that he is not going to participate I would've not asked him for the confirming email. Got it? And just be careful accusing me with "misleading everyone".


Sasha,

Your invitation went public on Thursday evening. By your own admission, you spoke to Aris on Tuesday (you were not ignored!) and did not receive a reply by the deadline. By Wednesday you were aware for the reason behind this, yet on Thursday evening you are having a public invitation sent out to who knows how big of a mailing list where you are still stating that Aris ignored your invitation. How is that not misleading?

So originally, it could have been that you misspoke. However, now it is clear that you did this intentionally. That is why I said your explanation made you look worse.

[Sasha Starr]

Wait a sec. It is true that I knew by Tuesday evening about health issues in Aris family.

But at the same time I had a Wednesday's deadline to prepare the title of the show, list of participants, their pictures, create links and so on.

It was my intention to have all three candidates on the show. And I've spoken to all of them. Aris was noncommittal during our phone call, that's why I've explained to him that if he decided to go ahead with the show I would need his commitment in writing with his picture by Tuesday evening. To make it clear Michael Barron reminded him to send me email as well (around 8 PM).

When I've said that I was ignored I meant that by Tuesday night I was expecting Aris' email advising me one way or another about Aris' intentions about the show. The poster was created on Wednesday and went public on Thursday. To make the long story short I haven't got Aris' email by Tuesday evening. Had to proceed anyway. Were there any options then? Please explain. One more thing. What is it I did intentionally according to you? Need you to explain.

Sasha Starr, a VM.

[Victor Itkin]

Christopher,
Thank you for your comments. However you are wrong. There is no explanation of any kind making me look worse as you've proposed. Also I'm not misleading anyone.
I've explained Aris that I need his reply in writing with his picture by the end of Tuesday. If he would've told me in the morning that he is not going to participate I would've not asked him for the confirming email. Got it? And just be careful accusing me with "misleading everyone".

To me it looks that Christopher is correct here.

[Sasha Starr]

Christopher is correct? It looks to you? Really! So is Karl Marx! LOL!

[Victor Itkin]

Christopher is correct? It looks to you? Really! So is Karl Marx! LOL!

This is not ChessTalk. Trolling is not welcome here.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

I have known Victor for many years, not just as a fierce opponent over the chess board, but also as an exceptionally decent human being; and I firmly believe that he would be a very strong FIDE Representative for the CFC.
How would I describe Victor Plotkin? Here goes …




Always has the best interests of chess and all chess players at heart.
Possesses a great talent for hard work.
Has a lot of international knowledge & experience.
An excellent practical problem solver.
A straight arrow; a truth seeker.
A long-term strategic thinker; patient and determined.
Confident and courageous, but also humble.
Gets along very well with others; likes people. Balanced, fair and succinct.
Open minded; a learner.
A true sportsman with impeccable manners. A measured optimist.


These are the reasons I believe that Victor is an ideal candidate to start filling Hal Bond’s very large shoes.


Sincerely,

David Filipovich


I have known David since we were both in our teens. I have posted this because the delays in getting approved for posting did not allow this to take place in a timely manner. David is well known as a Toronto area master who has played in many Canadian Closed tournaments. Most people from the Toronto area are quite familiar with him. Nice guy and a great example for our younger players to emulate.

[Sasha Starr]

Ladies and Gentlemen Voting Members,
For any one who has any ounce of integrity, responsibility and ethics, Vadim is absolutely not qualified to hold neither a voting member nor a CFC delegate. From what I have gathered, his case is over for me.

Vadim is a member of the "CORE MANAGEMENT TEAM of FIDE". Vadim can not represent you, as a Canadian, to FIDE. You can not represent us to "yourself" damn it!!.
Vadim is a leading member of CMA (VP), Clearly competing with CFC in geographical domain (Canada) and the target group (youth). Acting against the best interests of CFC.

Vadim, why are you so adamant that you must/need to hold the following positions simultaneously? Especially when we have others who are willing to stand!
-FIDE Management Team
-VP of CMA
-Voting Member of CFC
-CFC representative to FIDE

Only in dictatorships and Banana Republics this could happen. Therefore, I am pleading with you and urging all of you, the voting members, to disqualify Vadim form any CFC governing position.

Vadim, IS THIS WHY YOU DID NOT INVITE ME, and tens of other voting members, TO YOUR "ZOOM PRESENTATION"?? The CFC is not your house nor is it your fiefdom. You do not own the CFC.

Ladies and Gentlemen Voting Members, please be warned and herby informed that if you do not disqualify Vadim, I will not hesitate to, and I will go public with this. This is shame to Canada, and shame to our federation.

This is my duty and it is YOUR duty as well.

I was asking Mahmud Hassain a few times to explain what he's gathered about Vadim Tsypin which led him to such a negative post. The absence of his reply speaks by itself. So I'm trying to understand his motives. Obvious question is who are possible beneficiaries of his post. The answer is not terribly difficult: remaining two candidates. And I'm surprised that so far they haven't commented on this horrendous message. In fact it is alarming to think that they are in agreement with it? Or maybe even somehow associated with it? Hope not. Therefore I'm kindly asking both Aris and Victor to condemn Mahmud Hassain's message forthwith.
Sasha Starr, VM.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

I was asking Mahmud Hassain a few times to explain what he's gathered about Vadim Tsypin which led him to such a negative post. The absence of his reply speaks by itself.

Sasha, you shall not expect everyone to answer your question the next minute.

I would suggest to talk with the first source - Hal Bond.

[Sasha Starr]

Hal Bond??? What does he have to do with all this???
No, I don't expect the answer for any question the next minute. I've asked Mahmud Hassain my question more then 24 hours ago.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

The forum has issues with approving new forum users. Some of those users want to post support for candidates here.

If anyone need to post immediately without waiting the final approval, within a reasonable time frame I can help with that. My email is on the CFC website https://www.chess.ca/en/cfc/personnel
Vlad has already posted one request as well.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Hal Bond??? What does he have to do with all this???

Sasha, I wrote already - "with the first source"

[Sasha Starr]

Sasha, you shall not expect everyone to answer your question the next minute.

I would suggest to talk with the first source - Hal Bond.

Hal Bond! Any comments? Are you in agreement with Mahmud Hassain's post? Looking forward to hear from you!
Sasha Starr VM.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

I was asking Mahmud Hassain a few times to explain what he's gathered about Vadim Tsypin which led him to such a negative post. The absence of his reply speaks by itself. So I'm trying to understand his motives. Obvious question is who are possible beneficiaries of his post. The answer is not terribly difficult: remaining two candidates. And I'm surprised that so far they haven't commented on this horrendous message. In fact it is alarming to think that they are in agreement with it? Or maybe even somehow associated with it? Hope not. Therefore I'm kindly asking both Aris and Victor to condemn Mahmud Hassain's message forthwith.
Sasha Starr, VM.

I do not believe that either Victor Plotkin or Aris Marghetis are tied to this post in any way. There is a ghostly colossus whose name Egis has invoked who Mahmud is likely a proxy for. I don't think we should go down that route as it has been a source of much division and turmoil already.

[Sasha Starr]

Agree, and this is exactly why I wanted Victor Plotkin and Aris Marghetis to openly disassociate themselves from this garbage. Full stop. Period.
Which would leave our friends, Mahmud and his mentor(s) alone.
On the other hand, they (Aris and Victor) could be seen as benefactors (who else?) of above mentioned garbage. Do they really need it?

[Francis Rodrigues]

I do not believe that either Victor Plotkin or Aris Marghetis are tied to this post in any way. There is a ghostly colossus whose name Egis has invoked who Mahmud is likely a proxy for. I don't think we should go down that route as it has been a source of much division and turmoil already.

I almost thought you mentioned "ghastly colossus'......
Dracula on a Friday! Sounds quaintly Scarlet Pimpernel:)

Question: If 'Mr. Hussain' is indeed a sock-puppet,
how did he get to be a CFC voting member, and more...
...stand against the incumbent President? Surely
there is a verification process?

I'm not seeing any of the 'transparency' he promised
Vlad in his concession speech, which admittedly is
couched in a much different metaphor than the
'banana republic' language of his phantom post!

Meanwhile, with a couple of days to go, I have a few
gentle questions for the 3 Rep candidates - now that
the Arab Spring has finally come to this position!

Stay tuned folks!

[Vladimir Drkulec]

To start I would like to publicly acknowledge and thank Hal Bond for all his hard over the years in his role as Canada's FIDE rep. His efforts on the international scene on behalf of the CFC as an organization and for Canada's players as individuals are legion and should be applauded. On a personal level I've appreciated and benefited from his work for chess here at home (with the successful Guelph tournaments) as well as numerous conversations on his approaches to resolving international issues, and I sincerely hope that after his well-deserved rest there will be further opportunities for Hal within the Canadian chess community.

I am writing today in support of Victor Plotkin for the open FIDE Rep position. Victor has posted his resume on this site and you can go to it to get a picture of his life outside of chess - successful businessman and a happy family man (chess family man - all the kids play!). Through his varied life experiences Victor would bring a real international perspective to his duties as FIDE Rep.

I would like to focus on Victor within the chess world and how this experience would enhance his work in the position of FIDE Rep. Critical for success in this role is an understanding of the needs of the Canadian chess organization and Canadian chess players and the ability to diplomatically articulate these to FIDE. Amongst the current candidates I believe Victor has the proper balance in experience between player and administrator to allow him to build the necessary relationships to fulfill this role at the highest level.

As a active player he is one of the top players in Canada; within the seniors ranks he is at the very top. Through playing in tournaments across the country over the past 20 years he has made numerous connections at the grass-roots level; and his easy and open demeanor has ensured that he has remained approachable by all. In the last decade he has also increased his International participation - Chicago, Philadelphia, Gibraltar, Reykjavik and Bled are only some of the tournaments over the years, and I have experienced first hand at these tournaments the width and breadth of international relationships he has developed during this process and the regard by which he is held by organizers and participants alike.

Aside from playing Victor has also played an important role in helping organize and captaining the Canadian senior team; captioning the Canadian Olympic Team at several Olympics; coaching several junior teams both in Canadian and international competitions - all of which have all provided greater understanding of the needs of the players (be they juniors, elite players or seniors) as well as additional opportunities for the international relationships and connections that are important for the FIDE Rep to cultivate if they are to do their job properly.

Throughout the roughly 20 years I have known and competed against Victor I have found him to be a very decent, trustworthy, extremely hard-working and a man who has the best interests of Canadian chess at heart. His comprehensive experience in the Canadian chess community over the past 20 years makes him an excellent candidate for the position of FIDE Rep, and I would ask for your consideration in this matter.

Thanks everyone,

Mike



Michael Dougherty is another player that I have known since we were both teenagers. He is often seen in the company of David Filipovich with whom he often travels to tournaments. Both Michael and David have beaten me brutally over the board a number of times over the years though occasionally I manage to score the occasional point or half point if I am playing particularly well. Michael is also a well-respected Toronto area master who I have seen and played often over the years in Ontario based chess events. Also a good guy.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Agree, and this is exactly why I wanted Victor Plotkin and Aris Marghetis to openly disassociate themselves from this garbage. Full stop. Period.
Which would leave our friends, Mahmud and his mentor(s) alone.
On the other hand, they (Aris and Victor) could be seen as benefactors (who else?) of above mentioned garbage. Do they really need it?

A paper tiger that is easily and quickly burned to ashes benefits no one.

I am not sure of the game being played here. It is not chess. Perhaps a game of trolling.

[Francis Rodrigues]

The Fide Rep is our international Ambassador. Fide is
our Mater and Pater. The Fide Rep is our direct channel
to Fide largesse - Chess nutrition for our whole country!

Inherent in this are funded international assignments for
our international arbiters, top players, officials, etc.,
visiting coaching programs by top grandmasters for our
top players, funding for country-wide scholastic programs,
teaching-staff as well as teaching materials, funding for
sections or legs of international tournaments, zonals, to
be held in Canada, funding for international arbiter/organizer
training seminars, travel scholarships for our own masters
to Third World countries, etc., etc, I could go on and on......

Like any large family, Fide has it's flaws and pimples.
But, if you have your Father's ear, you can get a lot done.

It appears from all the programs I listed above Canada has
sadly benefitted from almost none of them over the last dozen
years, maybe for one reason or another. Hey, nobody's perfect!

To give an example - every federation tries to get as many
international assignments every year for it's teams of
international arbiters. Canada has over 3 dozen International
Arbiters - over the last decade it seems only 1 Canadian
international arbiter (and latterly his associate) have done
All international assignments including World Championships,
Olympiads, etc. Perhaps our Rep could find nobody else?:)

I have personally made it my mission to promote and assist
more Canadians achieve International Arbiter titles - at
least half a dozen have already attained Fide Arbiter titles!

Now here you are -
Just a few gentle questions for our 3 wonderful Rep candidates:

1. Will our International Arbiters finally start getting
international assignments, after the last barren decade?

2. Will scholastic assistance from Fide be made a priority
for our Canadian children country-wide? Faculty and materials?

3. We have budding young Canadian authors - Razvan Preotu, Raja
Panjwani,Michael Song, the Doknjas brothers, etc - would Fide/
CACDEC funding be available (as in the past), to bulk purchase
and distribute their publications to many countries, as well as
subsidize new young authors? Or am I just dreaming in technicolor?

4. Will we see more Fide initiatives for tournaments in Canada?

5. Will we see more arbiter & scholastic initiatives in Canada?

6. Do you have the ear of the top echelon?

7. Do you really have the time to promote Canada's interests?

Without excellent networking, filament connections, it will be
a very hard grind to achieve any of the above. Fide is a vastly
political body - I know! - it will be futile to imagine you
can change Canada's fortunes overnight - particularly if you
also have another job/business/calling occupying your atention!

The candidate who answers these questions honestly, is your man!

[Sasha Starr]

Well done, Francis!

Tomorrow's Chess Show on IBM TV is believed to be the Grandmother of ALL Chess Shows! LOL!
And all three candidates could've had the opportunity to answer all your questions if were willing, able and ready...
However we'll have a fantastic cast: GM Mihail Marin with his wife, a talented artist and chess player, Prof. Kenneth Regan and our own Vadim Tsypin!

Enjoy, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFhwjmxNhbs broadcast starts at 3 PM, if unavailable - see recorded version using the same link!

Sasha Starr, VM.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Tell that to Gilbert Perez. After launching efforts with Hal Bond, I opened a parallel track with Vadim Tsypin and asked him if we could get anything done for Gilbert in order to allow him to achieve his dream of representing Canada in the Online Olympiad for Disabled players. Hal said that there wasn't much that could be done. Vadim suggested how we might get the Philippines Chess Federation to waive their portion of the fees. Initially that didn't work.

Can you tell us what kind of fees Philippines CF wanted?

Transfer is done according to: https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/B042018
B. Permanent Commissions / 04. Registration, Transfer & Rules of Eligibility for Player / Transfer Regulations & Rules of Eligibility for Players (valid from July 1, 2018 till November 30, 2020

As I see the compensation to the older fed is required only for >2100 players. GP is only ~1800.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Ahem... Election thread... We're getting a bit into the weeds here.

[Lloyd Lombard]

1. As noted by Sasha and others, this should be a forum for intelligent, well-mannered, sober deliberations regarding chess and chess-related issues. There is "no" reason for intelligent people to attempt to defile other people. Please, simply make your point, argue it, and let others agree or disagree. As noted above, this is a public forum and we want the chess community to have a sense that as chess organizers, that we have their interests at heart. I learned "many" years ago that not everyone will agree with you.
2. The legal application of "Conflict of Interest" will be decided by the organization's legislation / Bylaws or "Conflict of Interest Policy", in this case, Chapter 03, paragraph 8 of FIDE"s Bylaws states: "8. FIDE officials may not simultaneously hold another position within the organisation that creates a conflict of interest." On a "very" quick review, this is all I could find on the subject. In my view, this does not prevent any FIDE Official from being representative of the CFC as in my view, being the CFC Representative does not equate to holding a "position within the organisation."

As noted above, we are extremely fortunate to have 3 very competent people interested in the position. I'm afraid I don't have the pleasure of personally knowing any or all of them except for the information I've been provided in the past two weeks. As this point, I would put my support towards Vadim however hold out to be persuaded otherwise until the time of the final vote.

My thoughts, and all the best to the three candidates,

Lloyd

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

2. The legal application of "Conflict of Interest" will be decided by the organization's legislation / Bylaws or "Conflict of Interest Policy", in this case, Chapter 03, paragraph 8 of FIDE"s Bylaws states: "8. FIDE officials may not simultaneously hold another position within the organisation that creates a conflict of interest." On a "very" quick review, this is all I could find on the subject. In my view, this does not prevent any FIDE Official from being representative of the CFC as in my view, being the CFC Representative does not equate to holding a "position within the organisation."Lloyd

The potential conflict of interest will arise with Vadim Tsypin in the FIDE organization if elected. The CFC FIDE Representative becomes the FIDE Zonal President (that's a FIDE official), while currently VT occupies these positions at FIDE " Secretary of the FIDE MB / Deputy Head of the TAD", sometimes shows up as a "President Adviser".

[Vadim Tsypin]

1. As noted by Sasha and others, this should be a forum for intelligent, well-mannered, sober deliberations regarding chess and chess-related issues. There is "no" reason for intelligent people to attempt to defile other people. Please, simply make your point, argue it, and let others agree or disagree. As noted above, this is a public forum and we want the chess community to have a sense that as chess organizers, that we have their interests at heart. I learned "many" years ago that not everyone will agree with you.
2. The legal application of "Conflict of Interest" will be decided by the organization's legislation / Bylaws or "Conflict of Interest Policy", in this case, Chapter 03, paragraph 8 of FIDE"s Bylaws states: "8. FIDE officials may not simultaneously hold another position within the organisation that creates a conflict of interest." On a "very" quick review, this is all I could find on the subject. In my view, this does not prevent any FIDE Official from being representative of the CFC as in my view, being the CFC Representative does not equate to holding a "position within the organisation."

As noted above, we are extremely fortunate to have 3 very competent people interested in the position. I'm afraid I don't have the pleasure of personally knowing any or all of them except for the information I've been provided in the past two weeks. As this point, I would put my support towards Vadim however hold out to be persuaded otherwise until the time of the final vote.

My thoughts, and all the best to the three candidates,

Lloyd

Thank you so much Lloyd for your kind words and for your legal analysis.

You are a real gentleman who remains remarkably humble in public despite your multiple accomplishments in so many fields. Please allow me to share with our colleagues that you had a long and distinguished career in public service (https://www.canadianlawlist.com/listingdetail/contact/lloyd-lombard-596985/) and you certainly have professional credentials to weigh in on such matters.

[Vadim Tsypin]

The potential conflict of interest will arise with Vadim Tsypin in the FIDE organization if elected. The CFC FIDE Representative becomes the FIDE Zonal President (that's a FIDE official), while currently VT occupies these positions at FIDE " Secretary of the FIDE MB / Deputy Head of the TAD", sometimes shows up as a "President Adviser".

For the benefit of our colleagues who are just coming to this entertaining discussion, I will reproduce in full my February 09 post (http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/showthread.php?5582-CFC-FIDE-Representative-election-Feb-2021&p=36180#post36180).

[Vadim Tsypin]

For the benefit of our colleagues who are just coming to this entertaining discussion, I will reproduce in full my February 09 post (http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/showthread.php?5582-CFC-FIDE-Representative-election-Feb-2021&p=36180#post36180).


Hi Vadim,

Thank you for putting your name forward and thank you for disclosing that you are "a core member of the new FIDE management team". Not withstanding your claimed chess activities, I have three questions for you.

Hello Mahmud,

I am pleased to see your keen interest in the CFC FIDE Representative election. For the Voting Members’ benefit, I am always glad to answer questions that are asked in a polite manner. I am confident that this discussion will open the eyes of the Canadian chess public. A constructive dialog and evidence-based verified information will help Canadians to learn the truth about new FIDE, including the new structure codified in the FIDE Charter adopted at the Extraordinary General Assembly in Abu Dhabi on February 28, 2020.



1- Does not this disqualify you from representing Canada? To my mind, you are clearly in a conflict of interest position. This should be clear to you and to the voting members. So, which hat will you be wearing and which interest will you be advancing? FIDE or CFC?


The answer is simple and straightforward – it doesn’t. FIDE unites 195 National Chess Federations (NCFs). FIDE and the NCFs have shared and aligned interests; they are not on the opposing sides. The FIDE Mission spelled out in the new Charter makes development of chess and strengthening the national federations FIDE’s explicit goals. Improving chess players’ social conditions and well-being is yet another area where FIDE and NCFs work hand in hand.

A layperson that is not experienced in chess governance and international affairs might be surprised to learn that FIDE actually finances the national chess federations and the specific projects they put forward. The financing is done through the direct FIDE-NCF agreement, through the FIDE Development fund and through the funding that FIDE allocates to its four continents.

Each and every person working at FIDE – be it in a paid / unpaid Commission position, an appointed FIDE Council position, or an appointed management team position – remains a patriot, a representative of their national federation, and an efficient lobbyist for the country whose flag she or he is honoured to wear on their sleeve.

I suggest that anyone interested in this issue studies the FIDE Charter which specifically addresses the dual role of those FIDE Council members who are official representatives (delegates) for their federations. Similar provisions welcome participation of Member Federations’ representatives in other FIDE bodies.

The FIDE Council is “a strategic and oversight FIDE body with law-making and executive functions.” Some of the people appointed by the FIDE President to the Council, like my dear friends and colleagues Jiangchuan Ye and Gulkiz Tulay, are also the official FIDE representatives (delegates) from their respective countries, China and Turkey, and they work tirelessly to provide opportunities such as tournaments, seminars, player development for their home countries.

The FIDE Management Board is “the executive, operational and administrative body that assists the President in the day-to-day management of FIDE activities.” We are eleven (11) people appointed personally by the FIDE President and approved by the Council. This is the body that “manages ordinary activities and resources; coordinates current activities of officials, Commissions, offices and employees; provides draft budget; supervises implementation of the budget; approves contracts.”

Several members of the FIDE Management Board who are the official FIDE representatives (delegates) from their respective countries.

GM Victor Bologan, FIDE Executive Director, is a delegate for Moldova.
GM Mohd Al-Mudahka, FIDE International Director, is a delegate for Qatar.
IO Berik Balgabaev, Advisor to the FIDE President, is a delegate for Kazakhstan.


They have made their respective federations very active in FIDE affairs and achieved many agreements that were mutually beneficial for FIDE and those countries.

I am privileged to work daily side-by-side with all these above-mentioned esteemed friends and colleagues, as well as many other FIDE officials who represent their countries in a dignified and highly efficient manner, such as FIDE Council General Secretary Enyonam Sewa “Noël” Fumey (delegate from Togo), FIDE Vice-President Michael Khodarkovsky (delegate for the United States of America), FIDE Vice-President Anastasia Sorokina (delegate for Belarus), FIDE Vice-President Mahir Mammedov (delegate for Azerbaijan), FIDE Vice-President Akaki Iashvili (delegate for Georgia). I am confident that I will be as efficient as they are to bring exciting new opportunities for Canadian players, coaches and organizers once the CFC Voting Members trust me with the position of a delegate from Canada.




2- Do you receive any compensation for your management position in FIDE?

Since the President Arkady Dvorkovich’s 2018 electoral triumph, FIDE started its transformation into a transparent, open, democratic, streamlined institution that is modeled after the best Western corporations. We have a dedicated executive team. The executive compensation numbers are published in the FIDE budget (such as the 2021 budget, presented at the Dec 2020 General Assembly). As was reported to the FIDE Council at the time, the salaries for FIDE managers were cut across the board since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, and remain at those reduced levels. Among other FIDE executives, I do receive compensation for my work.



3- Are you currently a governor or a management member of any CFC rival association or organization?

I am not aware of the existence of any “CFC rival associations or organizations”.


If "yes" to either Question 2 or Question 3, then you must not be a CFC voting member either because it is also a conflict of interest.
As I’ve already explained above, there is *no* conflict of interest, either from the FIDE side or from the CFC side. Both federations are partners working for the same objectives. I am puzzled by your statement that FIDE and the CFC are opponents; I suggest strongly that you study the Charter and other relevant FIDE documents.

Suffice it to say that the Chairman of the elected FIDE Constitutional Commission (CON), which reviews and oversees compliance with “FIDE Charter, Bylaws, Electoral Rules, Ethics and Disciplinary Code, Financial Rules”, is distinguished jurist and academic Roberto Rivello. Maitre Rivello is a delegate for Italy and he does a wonderful job promoting his country’s interests.

FIDE has the Code of Ethics; the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission is chaired by a renowned lawyer François Strydom (South Africa). The CFC has its Continuance papers properly filed with Corporations Canada.

I am in full compliance with both. Electing me to the CFC FIDE Representative position will be in full compliance with both. As already stated, I will look after Canada’s interests and will promote Canada’s agenda.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

For the benefit of our colleagues who are just coming to this entertaining discussion, I will reproduce in full my February 09 post (http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/showthread.php?5582-CFC-FIDE-Representative-election-Feb-2021&p=36180#post36180).

Vadim, what I see in your examples are "delegates". It is quite different from the Zonal President and 16.12 does not apply to them.


16.4 FIDE officials] are all persons who bear a FIDE office and/or who represents FIDE in occasion of events or competitions, even if temporary. Among others, the President, the Deputy President, the Treasurer, the Secretary of the Council, the Vice Presidents, the Continental Presidents, the Zonal Presidents, the Chairmen of Commissions, the Directorsand also the principals of FIDE Olympiads and World Championships are FIDE officials.

16.12 FIDE officials may not simultaneously hold another position within the organisation that creates a conflict of interest.

[Sasha Starr]

16.12 FIDE officials may not simultaneously hold another position within the organisation that creates a conflict of interest.
So it is obviously up to FIDE, not to you, to satisfy itself whether it's official could hold another position that indeed creates a conflict of interest.
Besides I'm curious what kind of conflict of interest could arise in the FIDE - CFC's relationship. Please explain. Provide an example.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Sorry, but you need to explain your curious sentence : "what kind of conflict of interest could arise in the FIDE - CFC's relationship" What is that?
To my knowledge the conflict of interest is regarding a person; companies compete or collaborate. Thus, what have you tried to say?

[Sasha Starr]

Ok, thank you for helping me out! Supposedly someone God forbid is holding executive position in both CFC and FIDE. And what kind of hypothetical situation could have arisen so that person could be found himself/herself in the conflict of interest? Please describe it if you can. Your input is greatly appreciated!

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Supposedly someone God forbid is holding executive position in both CFC and FIDE. And what kind of hypothetical situation could have arisen so that person could be found himself/herself in the conflict of interest


Your hypothetical situation is in the Non-For-Profit Corporations Act:

"Disclosure of interest

141 (1) A director or an officer of a corporation shall disclose to the corporation, in writing or by requesting to have it entered in the minutes of meetings of directors or of committees of directors, the nature and extent of any interest that the director or officer has in a material contract or material transaction, whether made or proposed, with the corporation, if the director or officer

(a) is a party to the contract or transaction;
(b) is a director or an officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of a party to the contract or transaction; or
(c) has a material interest in a party to the contract or transaction."

[Sasha Starr]

No, I haven't asked you for lecturing me on the rules. I've asked you to describe the actual situation where a person holding executive positions both in CFC and FIDE could find him/her self in a conflict of interest. I can't think of any. And what about you?

[Francis Rodrigues]

Your hypothetical situation is in the Non-For-Profit Corporations Act:

"Disclosure of interest

141 (1) A director or an officer of a corporation shall disclose to the corporation, in writing or by requesting to have it entered in the minutes of meetings of directors or of committees of directors, the nature and extent of any interest that the director or officer has in a material contract or material transaction, whether made or proposed, with the corporation, if the director or officer

(a) is a party to the contract or transaction;
(b) is a director or an officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of a party to the contract or transaction; or
(c) has a material interest in a party to the contract or transaction."

Egis, with all due respect, many Fide officials wear
numerous hats - it's the nature of talent to oversee
various branches of administration - and is common
to all sports organizations.

The NFP strictures relate to local bodies, not Fide.

You are a smart man, and I'm sure you know better:)
...............
If we follow this canard - all 3 candidates should be
disqualified on grounds of 'conflict of interest'!

1. The Fide rep is responsible for selecting Arbiters
to do lucrative international duty - this selection
being coordinated with the Fide Arbiters Commission.

One of the candidates for Fide rep has posted his own
membership of the Fide Arbiters Commision!! What's to
stop him selecting himself, a direct conflict of interest!

2. The Fide rep coordinates with the Fide Board to
certify international master and grandmaster norms,
sometimes in circumstances that require personal
intervention from the Fide rep to push the title through.

Another candidate here has a child on the path to
achieving the grandmaster title. Shouldn't he recuse
himself on the grounds of 'conflict of interest?'

I have no skin in this game! Just want to see a level
playing field, and the most suitable candidate elected!

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

No, I haven't asked you for lecturing me on the rules. I've asked you to describe the actual situation where a person holding executive positions both in CFC and FIDE could find him/her self in a conflict of interest. I can't think of any. And what about you?


I can, and that it is described in those rules - "a material contract" - sell & buy, your hypothetical situation unfolds.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

469

One of the situations that was most striking to me was the situation where an organizer of the 2019 World Cadets Chess Championships (WCCC) in China asked the CFC to sign an undertaking that:
I guarantee that XXX, the accompanying person of XXX will abide all the laws and regulations of the country where he stays.
Never involve politics, religion or any illegal activities unrelated to the event.
All the cost during the trip will be supported by himself. We are sure that he will leave China on time.
We are responsible for him during his stay in China.

This seemed a bit much, so much so that we discussed aborting the trip for the whole Canada delegation, dozens of youth players and parents.

We mentioned this to Vadim, not in any hope that he might do something about it but rather asking what he thought of the request and whether this was something that we might expect at future tournaments.

At best we expected that he might commiserate about the fact that we would have to decline to sign such a document and might have to decline to attend. Vadim sprung into action and asked us for documentation of what was asked and copies of the undertaking. In a few posts the situation unfolded as follows:


On Tue, 18 Jun 2019 at 21:36, Vadim I. Tsypin wrote:
Hello Vlad,

Congratulations! A very diplomatic letter that nevertheless doesn't give away Western values.

I am wondering about their original request with the offending sentence about a "guarantee" though. Do you have the latest version they demanded you sign? Can you please send it to me right now (5:30 a.m. in Baku)? I'd like to study the text and possibly raise an issue at the today's MB. Can't imagine the U.S. or other Western countries signing it either.

Thanks,

--
V.T.


On Wed, Jun 19, 2019 at 9:26 AM Vladimir Drkulec wrote:
The first version was a total non-starter for me as it violates my beliefs. I also have a problem with the concept that we are responsible for the individuals in the Canadian delegation. It may be due to a translation glitch but to sign that would seem to me to put both the CFC and all the members of the board at extreme risk if something went wrong. It's a huge blank cheque. I am not saying that they would behave like North Korea but we are reminded of what happened to Otto Warmbier and the submission of a multimillion-dollar medical bill. China has already grabbed two Canadians over the Huawei kerfluffle involving the U.S. and the extradition request. In six years I have not been asked to sign such an undertaking anywhere else.
Vlad


On Wed, Jun 19, 2019 at 10:51 AM Vadim I. Tsypin wrote:
Thanks Vlad and Christina,
Received and uploaded everything. I will post updates in this thread.
--
V.T.


On Jun 19, 2019, at 10:44 AM, Vadim I. Tsypin wrote:
Hello Vlad, Hal and Christina:
I included the issue of the "guarantee" demand as Item V1-03 in the today's MB Agenda and it was discussed, with exhibits you submitted thoroughly examined by everyone including the President. Several members, including both Victor Bologan and Emil Sutovsky, joined me in condemning this practice of the WCCC organizers in strongest terms. It was decided that FIDE would send a polite but very firm letter to the Chinese organizers. The FIDE Legal Advisor is charged with drafting it within a week's time. Will keep you posted,
--
V.T.


Hal Bond Wed, Jun 19, 2019 at 6:56 PM
To: "Vadim I. Tsypin"
Cc: Vladimir Drkulec , Hal Bond , Christina Tao
Thanks Vadim!
Sent from my iPhone


The organizers received a terse communication from Victor Bologan the Executive Director of FIDE which reminded them of the rules that FIDE expected them to abide by. There were no more problems after. Canadian children and parents went to the WCCC and competed well.

We were left to marvel at the speed and efficiency of the whole process as Vadim flew off in his red and blue costume and cape making the world safe for Canadian junior players and their parents, not to mention CFC officials.

[Victor Itkin]

It has been a long time since we at the CFC have seen such high pre-election activity. As it was already noted, all three candidates have done a number of good things for Canadian chess, and all have significant experience in chess life.
I would like to share my thoughts on the candidacy of Vadim Tsypin. I’ve been in touch with him personally, as far as I can remember, only once - at 2018 Canadian Open in Quebec City, where he was one of the organizers. I have very good memories of this tournament, and personally of Vadim as a knowledgeable professional and as a pleasant person. I think that from qualifications standpoint Vadim is a good candidate.
However, I am concerned by one caveat: Vadim is part of FIDE Management Board (which includes 11 members only) and receives certain financial compensation for this work. Unlike Mahmud Hassain, I am not certain if this fact is a personal conflict of interest. Yet I look at this situation from a different angle.
I am worried that FIDE executive team could pressure Vadim, as CFC representative, to make certain decisions (or even vote) in their favour – in a way that may be detrimental to Canadian chess – by exploiting the fact that Vadim is essentially their paid employee.
It’s no secret that GAZPROM – majority state-owned Russian global energy monopoly – recently became the General Partner of FIDE (this is stated on FIDE website), and that the current FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich – former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia – is a person from the inner circle of Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin (this in itself in no way diminishes Dvorkovich’s merits as FIDE President; he has managed to make several positive changes in FIDE since his election). Nevertheless, from my many years of experience in the USSR, structures with such leaders and general partners typically resolve many issues according to the principle “you for me and I for you”.
When voting in FIDE, the vote of a national federation in many cases is determined solely by its representative (in some important situations there may be a joint decision of CFC Executives). By placing Vadim Tsypin in two chairs at the same time, CFC will put itself in a vulnerable position. In such a scenario, won’t the CFC vote (voice) lose its independence?
In couple of his posts in this thread, Vadim, as an argument in his favour, noted that currently 3 FIDE Management Board members are simultaneously official representatives in FIDE of their respectful countries. These are representatives of Moldova, Qatar, and Kazakhstan. Not the most democratic countries in the world, let’s face it. I have little doubt that in exchange for the good for their national chess federations, these representatives “correctly” vote on all slippery issues. I’m not confident I’d want Canada to become the fourth country on this dubious list.
Thus, in my opinion, Vadim’s position on the FIDE Management Board serves as a detriment to his candidacy rather than strength. From this point of view, Victor Plotkin, as a candidate for this position, has an obvious advantage over other two candidates: he is financially independent from chess. Victor has never lived on chess earnings (on the contrary, from time to time he finances some chess projects with his own funds). As such, Victor will be able to represent CFC in FIDE without fear of financial repercussions. There is no doubt about that.
At the same time, Vadim Tsypin can successfully continue supporting Canadian chess just as he has done until now, holding a very honorable (paid) position at FIDE. In such an outcome, Canada will only benefit, as essentially it will have two representatives in FIDE instead of one.

[Mahmud Hassain]

It has been a long time since we at the CFC have seen such high pre-election activity. As it was already noted, all three candidates have done a number of good things for Canadian chess, and all have significant experience in chess life.
I would like to share my thoughts on the candidacy of Vadim Tsypin. I’ve been in touch with him personally, as far as I can remember, only once - at 2018 Canadian Open in Quebec City, where he was one of the organizers. I have very good memories of this tournament, and personally of Vadim as a knowledgeable professional and as a pleasant person. I think that from qualifications standpoint Vadim is a good candidate.
However, I am concerned by one caveat: Vadim is part of FIDE Management Board (which includes 11 members only) and receives certain financial compensation for this work. Unlike Mahmud Hassain, I am not certain if this fact is a personal conflict of interest. Yet I look at this situation from a different angle.
I am worried that FIDE executive team could pressure Vadim, as CFC representative, to make certain decisions (or even vote) in their favour – in a way that may be detrimental to Canadian chess – by exploiting the fact that Vadim is essentially their paid employee.
It’s no secret that GAZPROM – majority state-owned Russian global energy monopoly – recently became the General Partner of FIDE (this is stated on FIDE website), and that the current FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich – former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia – is a person from the inner circle of Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin (this in itself in no way diminishes Dvorkovich’s merits as FIDE President; he has managed to make several positive changes in FIDE since his election). Nevertheless, from my many years of experience in the USSR, structures with such leaders and general partners typically resolve many issues according to the principle “you for me and I for you”.
When voting in FIDE, the vote of a national federation in many cases is determined solely by its representative (in some important situations there may be a joint decision of CFC Executives). By placing Vadim Tsypin in two chairs at the same time, CFC will put itself in a vulnerable position. In such a scenario, won’t the CFC vote (voice) lose its independence?
In couple of his posts in this thread, Vadim, as an argument in his favour, noted that currently 3 FIDE Management Board members are simultaneously official representatives in FIDE of their respectful countries. These are representatives of Moldova, Qatar, and Kazakhstan. Not the most democratic countries in the world, let’s face it. I have little doubt that in exchange for the good for their national chess federations, these representatives “correctly” vote on all slippery issues. I’m not confident I’d want Canada to become the fourth country on this dubious list.
Thus, in my opinion, Vadim’s position on the FIDE Management Board serves as a detriment to his candidacy rather than strength. From this point of view, Victor Plotkin, as a candidate for this position, has an obvious advantage over other two candidates: he is financially independent from chess. Victor has never lived on chess earnings (on the contrary, from time to time he finances some chess projects with his own funds). As such, Victor will be able to represent CFC in FIDE without fear of financial repercussions. There is no doubt about that.
At the same time, Vadim Tsypin can successfully continue supporting Canadian chess just as he has done until now, holding a very honorable (paid) position at FIDE. In such an outcome, Canada will only benefit, as essentially it will have two representatives in FIDE instead of one.

Thank you Victor.
I have no issue with Vadim being a CFC rep if he were not on FIDE "core management team". I find it a major red flag for me.

[Lloyd Lombard]

The issue of "Conflict of Interest" is an important one for people who may want to be involved in the future with chess at different levels, especially internationally. I have not dealt with business conflict of interest issues for "many" years and I have not done a comprehensive review of the FIDE and CFC legislation, policies and/or guidelines on the issue so I'm certain there are others who are better equipped than I to provide a more profound opinion on whether holding a position at FIDE prevents you from representing the CFC in this capacity. Having said that, conflicts of interest in business, where you stand to obtain a personal benefit from a particular transaction, generally requires you to abstain from the discussions on the subject matter and from voting on the issue. In my view, sports related matters may not fall into the same category unless, again, the person making the decision and responsible for the vote, will obtain a personal benefit. Having dual citizenships does not, in my view, in and of itself, qualify as a conflict of interest. It seems to me that we now live in a highly transient society where people move from one country to another on a regular basis, often obtaining dual citizenship. I'm assuming that all three candidates are Canadian citizens and have been so for a number of years. It may be that the CFC should look at its Representative qualifications and have a requirement of "x" number of years Canadian citizenship before becoming a Representative on an international chess organization (or maybe we already do ?).

Mr. Itkin, you bring up an important issue where even "possible" conflict of interests are generally seen as a reason for persons to abstain from discussion and decision making. However, it seems to me that if FIDE is being threatened by a sponsor to, for example, "refrain from sponsorship unless "x" is done ...", this is not, or should not be, a conflict of interest issue (at least at first glance). Any and all FIDE representatives will have to view the sponsorship issue, whether they're a member of the FIDE organization or a Representative Delegate and make their decision based upon the facts presented to them. Again, each situation must be assessed on its own facts however the situation outlined does not necessarily raise an issue of conflict, at least in my opinion.

[Sasha Starr]

it has been a long time since we at the cfc have seen such high pre-election activity. As it was already noted, all three candidates have done a number of good things for canadian chess, and all have significant experience in chess life.
I would like to share my thoughts on the candidacy of vadim tsypin. I’ve been in touch with him personally, as far as i can remember, only once - at 2018 canadian open in quebec city, where he was one of the organizers. I have very good memories of this tournament, and personally of vadim as a knowledgeable professional and as a pleasant person. I think that from qualifications standpoint vadim is a good candidate.
However, i am concerned by one caveat: Vadim is part of fide management board (which includes 11 members only) and receives certain financial compensation for this work. Unlike mahmud hassain, i am not certain if this fact is a personal conflict of interest. Yet i look at this situation from a different angle.
I am worried that fide executive team could pressure vadim, as cfc representative, to make certain decisions (or even vote) in their favour – in a way that may be detrimental to canadian chess – by exploiting the fact that vadim is essentially their paid employee.
It’s no secret that gazprom – majority state-owned russian global energy monopoly – recently became the general partner of fide (this is stated on fide website), and that the current fide president arkady dvorkovich – former deputy prime minister of russia – is a person from the inner circle of dmitry medvedev and vladimir putin (this in itself in no way diminishes dvorkovich’s merits as fide president; he has managed to make several positive changes in fide since his election). Nevertheless, from my many years of experience in the ussr, structures with such leaders and general partners typically resolve many issues according to the principle “you for me and i for you”.
When voting in fide, the vote of a national federation in many cases is determined solely by its representative (in some important situations there may be a joint decision of cfc executives). By placing vadim tsypin in two chairs at the same time, cfc will put itself in a vulnerable position. In such a scenario, won’t the cfc vote (voice) lose its independence?
In couple of his posts in this thread, vadim, as an argument in his favour, noted that currently 3 fide management board members are simultaneously official representatives in fide of their respectful countries. These are representatives of moldova, qatar, and kazakhstan. Not the most democratic countries in the world, let’s face it. I have little doubt that in exchange for the good for their national chess federations, these representatives “correctly” vote on all slippery issues. I’m not confident i’d want canada to become the fourth country on this dubious list.
Thus, in my opinion, vadim’s position on the fide management board serves as a detriment to his candidacy rather than strength. From this point of view, victor plotkin, as a candidate for this position, has an obvious advantage over other two candidates: He is financially independent from chess. Victor has never lived on chess earnings (on the contrary, from time to time he finances some chess projects with his own funds). As such, victor will be able to represent cfc in fide without fear of financial repercussions. There is no doubt about that.
At the same time, vadim tsypin can successfully continue supporting canadian chess just as he has done until now, holding a very honorable (paid) position at fide. In such an outcome, canada will only benefit, as essentially it will have two representatives in fide instead of one.

Das Kapital

[Sasha Starr]

You are making a case why Victor is a better candidate then Vadim. And what about Aris???

[Victor Itkin]

You are making a case why Victor is a better candidate then Vadim. And what about Aris???

Aris is also a good candidate.

The answer to your question you can find in my original post:

From this point of view, Victor Plotkin, as a candidate for this position, has an obvious advantage over other two candidates

[Sasha Starr]

Aris is also a good candidate.

The answer to your question you can find in my original post:

From this point of view, Victor Plotkin, as a candidate for this position, has an obvious advantage over other two candidates

In my opinion Victor's set of skills includes primarily playing and coaching skills. However I'd doubted his diplomacy talents, perhaps, and in any case to get to the level where Vadim already is will take Victor 2 to 5 years - if he is successful...

However Vadim has everything in one package today, ALREADY! So is CFC better off to have someone who'll hopefully deliver something in the next few years at the best, or somebody who has ALL required connections and experience to do it all not even in the next day or two, but actually TODAY?

[Jeremy Clark]

In my opinion Victor's set of skills includes primarily playing and coaching skills. However I'd doubted his diplomacy talents, perhaps, and in any case to get to the level where Vadim already is will take Victor 2 to 5 years - if he is successful...

However Vadim has everything in one package today, ALREADY! So is CFC better off to have someone who'll hopefully deliver something in the next few years at the best, or somebody who has ALL required connections and experience to do it all not even in the next day or two, but actually TODAY?

A bit presumptuous to declare that Victor could deliver something in the next few years at best. You haven't the faintest idea what the future holds. Speculating is one thing, but you declared that as a foregone conclusion.

[Vadim Tsypin]

In my view, sports related matters may not fall into the same category unless, again, the person making the decision and responsible for the vote, will obtain a personal benefit. Having dual citizenships does not, in my view, in and of itself, qualify as a conflict of interest. It seems to me that we now live in a highly transient society where people move from one country to another on a regular basis, often obtaining dual citizenship. I'm assuming that all three candidates are Canadian citizens and have been so for a number of years. It may be that the CFC should look at its Representative qualifications and have a requirement of "x" number of years Canadian citizenship before becoming a Representative on an international chess organization (or maybe we already do ?).

Dear Lloyd, thank you for emphasizing this important angle.

FIDE's policies are completely aligned with what you wrote. As a result of an initiative spearheaded by FIDE Vice-President GM Nigel Short, the new FIDE Charter includes the following provision.


17.6 Presidents and delegates may only represent one Member Federation at a time and must, on the date of the meeting of the General Assembly, have either:
- a citizenship or at least two years’ residency of the country or territory they represent, or
- at least one year experience as an office holder of this Member Federation.

Pleased to make a voluntary disclosure now:

I, Vadim Tsypin, have been granted the Canadian permanent resident status in 1992 and immigrated to Canada as per the Federal Skilled Worker program.
I, Vadim Tsypin, have the honour of being Canadian citizen since 1996.
I hold no other citizenship and always travel the world, for business or pleasure, on a Canadian passport.

[Sasha Starr]

A bit presumptuous to declare that Victor could deliver something in the next few years at best. You haven't the faintest idea what the future holds. Speculating is one thing, but you declared that as a foregone conclusion.

No, I'm not declaring anything. Agree, no one has the "faintest idea what the future holds". One more time - I'm not declaring anything. Never mind foregone conclusion.
Instead of attacking my post say something of a substance if you can, please.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Egis, with all due respect, many Fide officials wear
numerous hats - it's the nature of talent to oversee
various branches of administration - and is common
to all sports organizations.

The NFP strictures relate to local bodies, not Fide.

You are a smart man, and I'm sure you know better:)
...............
If we follow this canard - all 3 candidates should be
disqualified on grounds of 'conflict of interest'!

1. The Fide rep is responsible for selecting Arbiters
to do lucrative international duty - this selection
being coordinated with the Fide Arbiters Commission.

One of the candidates for Fide rep has posted his own
membership of the Fide Arbiters Commision!! What's to
stop him selecting himself, a direct conflict of interest!

2. The Fide rep coordinates with the Fide Board to
certify international master and grandmaster norms,
sometimes in circumstances that require personal
intervention from the Fide rep to push the title through.

Another candidate here has a child on the path to
achieving the grandmaster title. Shouldn't he recuse
himself on the grounds of 'conflict of interest?'

I have no skin in this game! Just want to see a level
playing field, and the most suitable candidate elected!

Thank you for the kind words. The next time we'll meet and hopefully soon, we shall discuss more about current FIDE than my son or old interviews. It might be a more productive talk :)

As you pulled in arbiters and family members, you needed to add (3) to combine them together, didnt'?

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

I have not dealt with business conflict of interest issues for "many" years and I have not done a comprehensive review of the FIDE and CFC legislation, policies and/or guidelines on the issue

At this moment, the CFC has not a (special) policy/guidelines/procedure regarding conflict of interests. (special) -- anything beyond the NFP Act.

The "older" handbook had a clause about "chess business" persons not eligible to be executives. Is it still valid? The question was raised amongst Execs. (need to follow up)

[Vladimir Drkulec]

At this moment, the CFC has not a (special) policy/guidelines/procedure regarding conflict of interests. (special) -- anything beyond the NFP Act.

The "older" handbook had a clause about "chess business" persons not eligible to be executives. Is it still valid? The question was raised amongst Execs. (need to follow up)


The clause is superseded by the NFP act. It looks to me that you are putting forward arguments using the old handbook when it suits your aim and ignoring it when it doesn't. The handbook is our policy except where it directly contradicts the act. In this case it does contradict the act. This clause is there to keep Larry Bevand from becoming CFC president. I'm not going to comment on the utility of passing a law to keep one person out of a particular position when that person has been wildly successful in similar positions.

If Larry Bevand were to run for CFC president, I might campaign for him.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

The handbook is our policy except where it directly contradicts the act. In this case it does contradict the act.

How?

You're are welcome to point when I'm ignoring as well.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Honourable Voting Members,
Dear colleagues:

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.

A word of warning: "Intended for mature audiences only. This show contains scenes that some viewers may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised."

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

[Vladimir Drkulec]

I would like to express my support for Victor Plotkin as candidate for the CFC FIDE Representative position. I have known Victor for more than 10 years, facing him numerous times over the chessboard as well as playing under his captaincy at the 2018 and 2019 FIDE World Senior Team Championships. In all my interactions with Victor, he has demonstrated the highest levels of sportsmanship and integrity. In my opinion, he is ideally qualified for the FIDE rep position, offering a strong combination of leadership skills, business acumen, and a deep knowledge of Canadian and world chess. His wide experience encompasses the roles of national team captain, chess parent, and IM-strength player, which makes him well attuned to the perspectives of key stakeholders. I warmly recommend Victor for this important role.


David Cummings, IM




David is another friendly Toronto area player who is often seen in tournaments in Toronto, Kitchener and surrounding regions. He is a regular contributor to Chesspublishing.com on the topic of flank openings like the English which he has also written books on. The excellent book published three or four years ago suggested a repertoire which offered a non-fianchetto approach to the opening for white. David was also a Canadian over 50 Seniors champion and I believe he won the continental event as well. He gave an entertaining lecture on the English in Sault Ste. Marie at the time of the Canadian Open in 2017.

[Victor Plotkin]

In my opinion Victor's set of skills includes primarily playing and coaching skills. However I'd doubted his diplomacy talents, perhaps, and in any case to get to the level where Vadim already is will take Victor 2 to 5 years - if he is successful...

However Vadim has everything in one package today, ALREADY! So is CFC better off to have someone who'll hopefully deliver something in the next few years at the best, or somebody who has ALL required connections and experience to do it all not even in the next day or two, but actually TODAY?

I believe, you greatly underestimate me. If I had thought that getting to that level would take 2 to 5 years, I wouldn't have run for this position.

[Mahmud Hassain]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I just received this email from Michael von Keitz and he requested that I post it on his behalf. He had lost his log in contacts.

START

"I am aware that Hal Bond did not happily resign in the middle of his term, and I have been provided with a private explanation for that decision which leaves me deeply concerned for our Federation. Vlad Drkulec has served our Federation with distinction for many years (only John Prentice has had a longer tenure as President), but I am hopeful a suitable candidate will emerge to continue his legacy at the time of the next AGM.

I support Victor Plotkin's candidacy to serve as our FIDE Representative. As highlighted by Victor Itkin, having two Canadians advocating for our Federation within FIDE is an enviable outcome. I fail to see the added value in having one individual serve in two roles within FIDE, when Vadim Tsypin has already proven himself to be in a role which allows for effective advocacy on behalf of Canadian causes.

I am dissatisfied with what appears to me to be a unilateral decision to propose an eighth executive role within our Federation, ostensibly on the basis of gender equality. Among other concerns, this raises the question of why the Federation would consider taking a binary stance on the question of gender, risking potential alienation of other groups. Operating within our existing model, which itself is perhaps antiquated, I would instead encourage the proposed candidate to run for election as the Women's Coordinator during the Federation's next AGM. There is no urgency to this matter.

As a member of our Federation, I feel the Voting Members will be faced with a series of important decisions over the coming weeks and months. A new course is being charted and I do not envy the decision-makers.

Yours in Chess,

Michael von Keitz"


END

[Sasha Starr]

I believe, you greatly underestimate me. If I had thought that getting to that level would take 2 to 5 years, I wouldn't have run for this position.

Victor, perhaps it would take less time for you to become productive, perhaps more. It has nothing to do with your personality at all. If you'll see the today's chess show on IBM TV (Vadim has published the link) you'll see an accomplished chess professional operating on the highest level and it is overly difficult to imagine someone more effective then Vadim for several reasons. Too many to list... It doesn't mean that if you've been in that position you wouldn't been able to succeed. Probably you could. But in this particular situation I'm sure that you yourself, your son and many Canadians could greatly benefit from the Vadim's experience, connections, knowledge and desire to do well for all Canadians chess lovers!

[Sasha Starr]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I just received this email from Michael von Keitz and he requested that I post it on his behalf. He had lost his log in contacts.

START

"I am aware that Hal Bond did not happily resign in the middle of his term, and I have been provided with a private explanation for that decision which leaves me deeply concerned for our Federation. Vlad Drkulec has served our Federation with distinction for many years (only John Prentice has had a longer tenure as President), but I am hopeful a suitable candidate will emerge to continue his legacy at the time of the next AGM.

I support Victor Plotkin's candidacy to serve as our FIDE Representative. As highlighted by Victor Itkin, having two Canadians advocating for our Federation within FIDE is an enviable outcome. I fail to see the added value in having one individual serve in two roles within FIDE, when Vadim Tsypin has already proven himself to be in a role which allows for effective advocacy on behalf of Canadian causes.

I am dissatisfied with what appears to me to be a unilateral decision to propose an eighth executive role within our Federation, ostensibly on the basis of gender equality. Among other concerns, this raises the question of why the Federation would consider taking a binary stance on the question of gender, risking potential alienation of other groups. Operating within our existing model, which itself is perhaps antiquated, I would instead encourage the proposed candidate to run for election as the Women's Coordinator during the Federation's next AGM. There is no urgency to this matter.

As a member of our Federation, I feel the Voting Members will be faced with a series of important decisions over the coming weeks and months. A new course is being charted and I do not envy the decision-makers.

Yours in Chess,

Michael von Keitz"


END

Michael von Keitz... What a mess! Hal Bond did not happily resign... Could be. Vlad Drkulec has served our Federation with distinction for many years. OK. And one day there will be a suitable candidate - good! And I have no problem with Michael's support for Victor Plotkin.

Now things are getting murky. Two Canadians for the price of one? Enviable outcome? I don't think so. With such a fierce competition for the CFC FIDE Representative position there will be a very little incentive for the loser to cooperate in any way with a winner. And if Vadim wins he needs practically nothing from Victor. However the opposite outcome puts Victor in not very enviable position - unless Vadim will show his largesse and will help... In that scenario Victor would completely dependant on Vadim. Would he be willing to provide Victor with a free training?

Well, Victor himself said that once elected he will heavily rely on Vadim's experience, connections, etc. So it implies that there will be more or less lengthy training period. Assuming that Vadim will provide it... But what if not, as I'm afraid?

In any case - obviously the choice is ours to make!

[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"

[Patricia Gamliel]

Mr. Mahmud Hassain

Kindly advise Mr. Michael von Keitz that I have answered his post:

If adding 1 woman to the one already there is reaching gender equality at the CFC I wonder who at the executive are women pretending to be men ... Even more puzzling when the only position you propose that can belong to a woman is Women’s coordinator. I suggest this position will be viable when the Men’s coordinator position will be created at the same time: The whole, of course in the name of gender equality right?

I wish people would read the two posts (yes only 2) I have posted. It is surprising that mature professionals would only cruise through them to end up one to compare me to his wife ( no offence to her Mr. Plotkin but seriously????) and the other as my only skill to be a women coordinator at the CFC? ��

Sorry, guys, I can do much more than raising 3 kids: I actually did that while at the same time working full time and going to university full time and volunteering as a Union collective agreements negotiator.

End of 3rd post.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I just received this email from Michael von Keitz and he requested that I post it on his behalf. He had lost his log in contacts.

START

"I am aware that Hal Bond did not happily resign in the middle of his term, and I have been provided with a private explanation for that decision which leaves me deeply concerned for our Federation. Vlad Drkulec has served our Federation with distinction for many years (only John Prentice has had a longer tenure as President), but I am hopeful a suitable candidate will emerge to continue his legacy at the time of the next AGM.

I support Victor Plotkin's candidacy to serve as our FIDE Representative. As highlighted by Victor Itkin, having two Canadians advocating for our Federation within FIDE is an enviable outcome. I fail to see the added value in having one individual serve in two roles within FIDE, when Vadim Tsypin has already proven himself to be in a role which allows for effective advocacy on behalf of Canadian causes.

I am dissatisfied with what appears to me to be a unilateral decision to propose an eighth executive role within our Federation, ostensibly on the basis of gender equality. Among other concerns, this raises the question of why the Federation would consider taking a binary stance on the question of gender, risking potential alienation of other groups. Operating within our existing model, which itself is perhaps antiquated, I would instead encourage the proposed candidate to run for election as the Women's Coordinator during the Federation's next AGM. There is no urgency to this matter.

As a member of our Federation, I feel the Voting Members will be faced with a series of important decisions over the coming weeks and months. A new course is being charted and I do not envy the decision-makers.

Yours in Chess,

Michael von Keitz"


END

Sexism masquerading as wokeism is a very bad look. I have had multiple conversations with women who have been less than enamoured with the statements that there is an appropriate job suited to women within the CFC. Patricia Gamliel is a woman who would be welcome on any other non-profit board and wouldn't have to endure such appalling conduct.

[Victor Itkin]

However, for the CFC FIDE Representative position, Vadim is the best candidate in my opinion. He is very active and professional in regard to organizing things, and I know it from my experience of working with him within FIDE.

I’m not sure about the other voting members, but personally I understood these words in such a way that some time ago Anna Burtasova used to work for FIDE, and since then she highly appreciates the professionalism of Vadim Tsypin.

I was surprised to find out that Anna Burtasova is currently working for FIDE office in Switzerland as a “FIDE Website and Social Media Manager” (one of the eight official employees https://www.fide.com/directory/fide-officials).

There is nothing wrong with her public support of Vadim, but I just wanted to emphasize (for those like me who thought Anna was discussing her past work experience) that for the CFC FIDE Representative position Anna Burtasova is endorsing her more senior current colleague at FIDE.

[Christopher Mallon]

My personal feeling is that we of course shouldn't "relegate" women to the Women's Coordinator position. At the same time, isn't it totally ridiculous to have a man in the women's coordinator position? (Yes, I realize that he is often - maybe always? - the only person running for the position.)

Also doesn't it make more sense for an executive board member to have a purpose or job?


Back on topic, however...


Michael von Keitz... What a mess! Hal Bond did not happily resign... Could be.


Sasha, I am not sure why you feel the need to attack everyone who you disagree with, but I take issue with you referring to Michael Von Keitz as "what a mess" ... he had the unenviable task of being in charge of the CFC at the worst time in our history, as he dealt with the office closing, the tail end of an ED era as well as the beginnings of the NFP changeover. When he stepped down as President after 20 months, he received thanks and positive reviews from many people, including multiple members of the current Exec. Here is a public sampling: http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/showthread.php?3248-Resignation

And it "could be" true that Hal did not happily resign? I think it's fairly obvious that he's not happy! You are a VM and so you should have already read his resignation letter. Here it is, in case you missed it: http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/showthread.php?5570-Hal-Bond-Resignation-email-as-CFC-FIDE-representative

[Lloyd Lombard]

Hi Patricia, I have read all the posts in this forum and don't see your other two posts which I would like to read. Can you please either repost them or point to where they can be found ?

[Patricia Gamliel]

Good morning,

There is another short thread to add me at the executive. I can’t find my first thread where I was presenting myself in an informal fashion (the one that triggered Mr. Plotkin’s reply comparing me to his wife after he read that I have three children - remember that he wants to represent the CFC at FIDE). I can't find it right now. But I am fairly present on internet. As for the 2nd post, here it is:

Quote Originally Posted by Patricia Gamliel:

Good evening,
This is my first post and might not be my last. However, please accept that when I do post it might not be to answer posts of others.*
This being said, I believe that as a non-profit org. the CFC is entitled to take advantage of existing government programs including but not limited to loans partially forgivable, the hiring of youth within Canada Summer Jobs programs paid by the government, etc...
Moreover, CFC's revenues can be increased with various groups membership such as, for example, corporate membership and educational institution membership.*Memberships may also allow for tax-deductible donations to the CFC by making Canadian chess activities eligible for such consideration.
This can be accomplished through various paths along which general outreach initiatives to Canadian and multinational corporations. Sponsoring chess shall become a win-win proposition.*As well, the CFC visibility may be increased through the FIDE Social Commission as Chess is a universal language and a tool to help low-income families, newcomers to Canada, refugees, and prison inmates. Grants from corresponding government departments may be available.
Finally, and some of you may have seen it coming, I will help the CFC to achieve gender equality. I will strongly support Canadian girls and women both in chess competitions and in chess governance.

Thank you for inviting me to apply.

Sincerely,

[Patricia Gamliel]

Mr. Mallone.

On part of your post only:

The goal is not to bring me in the CFC because I am a woman but because of what I can do.
My gender really came into play because some people could not see me beyond my gender and THAT is very sad for an organization such as the CFC and I hope this will change.

[Victor Itkin]

And it "could be" true that Hal did not happily resign? I think it's fairly obvious that he's not happy! You are a VM and so you should have already read his resignation letter. Here it is, in case you missed it: http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/showthread.php?5570-Hal-Bond-Resignation-email-as-CFC-FIDE-representative

I don't know about Sasha, but I myself have definitively missed an important point from Hal Bond's resignation letter:

" ...The Arbiter Upgrade application submitted by Diana Tsypina is materially flawed – it attempts to exploit the wording of the regulations while disregarding basic principles of the FIDE Arbiter system..."

In order to understand this issue better, it would be nice to hear from Vadim his point of view and comments about this matter.

[Jeremy Clark]

I don't know about Sasha, but I myself have definitively missed an important point from Hal Bond's resignation letter:

" ...The Arbiter Upgrade application submitted by Diana Tsypina is materially flawed – it attempts to exploit the wording of the regulations while disregarding basic principles of the FIDE Arbiter system..."

In order to understand this issue better, it would be nice to hear from Vadim his point of view and comments about this matter.

I asked about this when it was first posted and received no response from anyone. I, too, would like to hear Vadim's response to this, preferably in advance of the voting.

[Victor Plotkin]

Taken from Patricia Gamliel's post: "It is surprising that mature professionals would only cruise through them to end up one to compare me to his wife ( no offence to her Mr. Plotkin but seriously????) and the other as my only skill to be a women coordinator at the CFC? ��

Sorry, guys, I can do much more than raising 3 kids: I actually did that while at the same time working full time and going to university full time and volunteering as a Union collective agreements negotiator."

I had no intention of comparing you to my wife. My wife is truly incomparable.

I liked your "seriously????" My wife is a professor at the UofT (faculty of medicine), President of the Ontario Association of Pathologists, Director of Continuous Professional Development at the UofT, Chair of the Group at the Major International Oncology Organization, and a physician-scientist at the tertiary cancer center. She also volunteers at several professional and non-profit organizations.

My apologies for the off-topic post. I would never have done it otherwise. Let's be courteous.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

I don't know about Sasha, but I myself have definitively missed an important point from Hal Bond's resignation letter:

" ...The Arbiter Upgrade application submitted by Diana Tsypina is materially flawed – it attempts to exploit the wording of the regulations while disregarding basic principles of the FIDE Arbiter system..."

In order to understand this issue better, it would be nice to hear from Vadim his point of view and comments about this matter.




I asked about this when it was first posted and received no response from anyone. I, too, would like to hear Vadim's response to this, preferably in advance of the voting.

You received a response from me on the voting members forum


While discussing the replacement options, I'd be interested in learning if there will be any investigation in the matters Hal raised in his resignation letter, specifically the FIDE arbiter process which he claims suffered from interference by the executive.

Edit: I should add that I joined as a VM from Ontario at Hal's request, and am aware of the larger backstory that has led to this point.

There was no interference from the executive. Hal Bond's decision was appealed to the board of directors. It is not interference when it is your job to decide on the case.

The board of directors is the ultimate appeal court within the CFC unless or until you go to FIDE or an actual court of law.

There was a way for the case to go forward without the CFC's approval by applying directly to FIDE. A successful application after we refused would make us look very bad. We would appear to be working to block the advance of a francophone woman. Not a good look for us. I am not afraid of a fight on social media but I would not touch this kind of stinky meat case with a ten foot pole and try to defend it. And my duty would be to publicly defend it.

I am not afraid to look bad to whoever has to thwart certain people because they are afraid to sign their name and hope the CFC will do their dirty work for them. Dealing a jack from the back of the pack, they said you lose again (am I going to be the only one who knows that reference?). Cue line from "The Usual Suspects". If this application fails I take the hit and the new FIDE rep gets to say it was that darn president, what can I do?

The FQE also asked us to look at this and make the right judgment based on the rules as written and not as some individual on the arbiters commission might have wished the rule was written.

Make no mistake, this would have ended up in a court of law where the letter of the FIDE rule, with every modifying comma significant in whether we were engaged in discrimination.

In all such cases we need to refrain from a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict. A successful application means more competition for the person making the decision and the members of the arbiters commission working towards dismissal of this application at the CFC level. Add in the clear animosity angle and this is not a hill that I would be willing to die on and for. If it is a bad application reject it and blame that idiot Vlad Drkulec and the board members who can read English and see that the application well may succeed and who don't see success as some kind of threat. Think of every arbiter as an element of our infrastructure. We need more of them. We need more women arbiters so young girls can see that this is a reasonable activity for them to engage in.

There are many aspects of this case which are troubling from the point of view of the executive. The application was clearly marked pending time served or some such at the very top. We were provided with the FIDE statute which may be poorly written but we read the rule as written and it seemed that we should not be acting as a gatekeeper to prevent a Canadian from advancing, particularly a Canadian woman when I had just attended a seminar by the Canadian Olympic Committee on the best practices for non-profit NSO's required if we wanted to stay in the good graces of the IOC and the COC. A court case would hang on the rules as written which everyone admits (even the people on the arbiters commission) are badly written. The IOC and by delegation the COC had mandated that we integrate more women into the ranks of referees, umpires, line judges for the other sports and arbiters for chess.

I submit that the two IAs, two or three NAs, on the board came to the conclusion that their conscience guided them towards.

If some guy on the arbiters commission doesn't like it, blame it on Canada.

It is very rarely that I can work in references to Al Stewart, The Usual Suspects, and South Park into one post.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Mr. Mallone.

On part of your post only:

The goal is not to bring me in the CFC because I am a woman but because of what I can do.
My gender really came into play because some people could not see me beyond my gender and THAT is very sad for an organization such as the CFC and I hope this will change.

Patricia,

As a ranking member of the FIDE Social Commission (SOC) appointed by the FIDE President in 2018, you are well recognized worldwide for your accomplishments and your capabilities - not for your gender. Please rest assured that the Canadian chess community is open-minded, progressive and dynamic. All of us, including the honourable Voting Members, hold close to our heart the values enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. There is no gender discrimination in the CFC.

As the Secretary of the FIDE Management Board - the body whose mandate includes coordination of activities of Non-Elected Commissions - I am privileged to deal on a regular basis both with SOC Chairman Paris Klerides (Cyprus) and with SOC Secretary Philippe Victor Chatelain (Haiti). In all professional discussions with these gentlemen over the years, none of them ever mentioned to me your gender - only your analytical and problem-solving skills that were crucial to so many FIDE SOC projects, such as the disaster relief in the Caribbean and refugee support in Bangladesh.




The FIDE Social Commission ‘‘SOC’’ is dedicated to using chess as a tool for social development. SOC advocates for the use of chess as a tool for social change through action as:

An equalizer for gender, social and economic development.
For life skills, ethics, good character development and empowerment.
A tool to reach out to children-at-risk including those in impoverished communities, refugee camps and those in prisons.
To work with organizations that aim to combat problems connected to memory loss and aging.



Additionally, SOC will support programs that have a positive impact on many lives. Using chess as a platform to empower teachers in communities, as well as providing support that will help children to develop life skills and promote positive social development. The key is to prepare programs, training and opportunities that empower the people that are using chess as a tool for social development within their bases, whether they are teachers, instructors, and/or social workers.

Providing access to FIDE seminars is a key component to empowering chess promoters and players so they acquire expertise to build chess in their countries. SOC seeks to strengthen the social fabric of communities for encounter through chess that can strengthen the dialogue between generations.
Chess is an amazing game and tool with the power to transform lives!!!

Our vision: Enabling the less privileged in society to realise their full potential in life.
Our Mission: To inspire and transform lives by empowering others.
Our Values: Compassion, Selfless service, Integrity, Accountability and Equal opportunities for all.

SOC cooperates with FIDE member federations in order to achieve its goals.



https://www.cowlinglegal.com/blog/women-leading-in-law-patricia-gamliel

[Vadim Tsypin]

Dear chess friends and colleagues across Canada,

In compliance with the election procedures published (http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/showthread.php?5572-Special-Meeting-of-Voting-Members-Sunday-February-21-to-Thursday-February-25&p=36016#post36016) by the CFC, I have declared my candidacy (http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/showthread.php?5582-CFC-FIDE-Representative-election-Feb-2021&p=36141#post36141) 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.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

As a ranking member of the FIDE Social Commission (SOC) appointed by the FIDE President in 2018


May I ask: was it by your recommendation? You were the adviser of the FIDE President at that moment, were not you?

I have just started my tenure as a vice-president of the CFC back in 2018, and inquired how persons get on FIDE commissions without passing the national federation as there were other appointments what lifted my eyebrows.

[Vadim Tsypin]

470

Honourable Voting Members,
Forum users:

I was privileged to present my condensed CV (http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/showthread.php?5582-CFC-FIDE-Representative-election-Feb-2021&p=36144#post36144) 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.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

A further point you are raising matters that deal with privacy in a public forum. Claiming that an application is deficient can be construed as

Francis pointed out Canada's dismal record in providing opportunities for arbiters on the international stage aside from one or two.

Hal Bond probably should have recused himself from involvement in this file due to his public feud with the applicants husband.

Hal Bond probably should have recused himself from involvement in this file due to the fact that he had a financial interest in not allowing this application to proceed.

It is not even the FIDE rep's job to make a decision on whether a norm application or a title upgrade is to proceed or not. It is his or her job to help Canadians to push forward.


The Executive voted to allow this application to proceed. That prompted Hal's resignation.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

May I ask why this thread was moved to the meeting?

[Vadim Tsypin]

470
Honourable Voting Members,
Forum users:

I was privileged to present my condensed CV (http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/showthread.php?5582-CFC-FIDE-Representative-election-Feb-2021&p=36144#post36144) 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
471

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

In compliance with the election procedures published (http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/showthread.php?5572-Special-Meeting-of-Voting-Members-Sunday-February-21-to-Thursday-February-25&p=36016#post36016) 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.

[Vadim Tsypin]

For the purposes of organizing the World Championship Cycle and to facilitate awarding player titles, FIDE groups its member countries into sets called “FIDE zones” that are further divided into subzones. There are more than thirty such zones and subzones in FIDE. They would typically group from three to twenty-two countries each.

There are only six FIDE member countries that have their own zones. Here they are, with their respective positions in the Top Federations rating list.


Europe:
1 Russia 2730
5 Ukraine 2665
Asia:
3 China 2702
4 India 2668
The Americas:
2 USA 2713
34 Canada 2534

Yes, the countries that enjoy their own zones and all the perks that come with them are # 1, # 2, # 3, # 4, # 5 – and # 34, Canada! FIDE was very kind to us in this respect and I will strengthen the affinity between the CFC and FIDE so that our country continues to benefit from this arrangement.

Having its own zone allows Canadian players, male and female, to earn norms in competitions on our soil, at home, without crippling travel expenses that are especially painful for up-and-coming juniors and their parents. Having its own zone allows Canadians a shot at direct titles in our home-based Zonal tournaments (the requirements became more severe in recent years but there is always a chance that they can be loosened again). Having its own zone allows Canada to have more places both in the World Cup and in Women’s World Cup.

One of my highest priorities as the CFC FIDE Representative will be to preserve Canada's own zone.

[Vadim Tsypin]

I will establish or strengthen horizontal ties with fellow FIDE Members, other National Chess Federations (NCFs). Decentralization and professional networks is the key in our day and age. My healthy friendly relationships both within FIDE management and with the executives of key chess federation in the Americas, Asia and Europe will allow me to obtain unique opportunities for Canadian players and officials, especially for the young players.

I will continue working tirelessly to leverage my international connections for the benefit of Canadians. One of the achievements I am 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 I 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. I 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]

I will work with the CFC Executive, provincial associations, chess organizers, local tourism bureaus and chambers of commerce to bring FIDE events to Canada. There are two major types of FIDE events: summits (a FIDE Congress, an in-person FIDE Council meeting, an in-person Management Board meeting) and competitions (the World and Continental events, including those for Youth, Seniors, and Disabled players). Our federation has licensed International Organizers who are the only people allowed to sign bids for FIDE events. When communities and corporate sponsors support, we shall not hesitate to bid on the World (L1 level) FIDE competitions, starting with some simpler ones.

Canada shall have a more fruitful and mutually beneficial partnership with our continental body, the Confederation of Chess for Americas (CCA). We shall establish a rotation schedule similar to those that already exists for the North America Youth Ch. In this case, Canada will be able to host Panamerican Open, Women’s, Youth, Scholastic, and others.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Canada has great coaches and arbiters who are excellent in passing on knowledge to others. FIDE has a variety of programs where stronger chess countries help developing nations. These programs are financed from the FIDE Development Fund. Of particular interest to Canadian professionals are the help programs for such newly admitted Caribbean nations as St. Lucia, Grenada, Cayman Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis.

I will make sure that Canada participates in these programs so that our coaches and arbiters have a chance to train players and officials in the Caribbean.

[Vadim Tsypin]

The CFC’s daily operations are a labour of love by our great Executive Director Bob Gillanders. Bob is doing a great job, despite being constantly overworked in having to combine essentially several demanding positions: the Executive Director, the Technical Director, The Rating Officer, and the Titles Officer.

As a person responsible for procurement within FIDE, I will share with the CFC the best practices of FIDE’s own offices around the world and those of leading national federations. I will help Bob and the CFC Executive to identify which logistical solutions and software platforms used by our colleagues worldwide might be beneficial for Canada.

[Vadim Tsypin]

I am running for the CFC FIDE Representative in order to serve the Canadian chess community, to become its steward at FIDE, and to provide for its well-being. I will devote all my energy to serving your interests. I truly believe that our big chess family deserves a much better life, and I promise to use all my knowledge, skills and experience to make it happen.

Let’s succeed and prosper together!

[Christopher Mallon]

This is my view as well.

Under the Handbook replacing a resigned director is the job of the EXECUTIVE, not the president acting alone nor the VM assembly.

The pertinent documents are
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rum-FSQx2RAfwrAXw9lA5-4NQ8Zffidis8yT_QJELb4/preview
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZSPT-Adi0FoZ1EQbziX2jYeR4tsnyLVpz5EdElO6dgI/preview

Note that the letter in the first document to the federal government was NOT written by me and that there are amendments to the "Classic Handbook" that were never discussed in detail. My information is that these changes were based on the sample constitution enclosed in the "new" 2014 Not for Profit Corporation Act.

The bottom line is that at that point our backs were to the wall and there was a serious risk of the CFC losing its charter if we did not file on time. Some of these forced changes I have strong reservations about in terms of years of the usual practice of the CFC but they are what they are.

With respect to replacement of a resigned executive member the pertinent section is
Number of Directors
The board shall consist of the number of directors specified in the articles. If the articles provide for a minimum and maximum number of directors, the board shall be comprised of the fixed number of directors as determined from time to time by the members by ordinary resolution or, if the ordinary resolution empowers the directors to determine the number, by resolution of the board. In the case of a soliciting corporation the minimum number of directors may not be fewer than three (3), at least two of whom are not officers or employees of the Corporation or its affiliates.


with the section dealing with replacement of a director being
Vacancy in Office
In the absence of a written agreement to the contrary, the board may remove, whether for cause or without cause, any officer of the Corporation. Unless so removed, an officer shall hold office until the earlier of:
the officer's successor being appointed,
the officer's resignation,
such officer ceasing to be a director (if a necessary qualification of appointment) or
such officer's death.

If the office of any officer of the Corporation shall be or become vacant, the directors may, by resolution, appoint a person to fill such vacancy.


Thus I conclude that holding a poll on the best way to replace Hal Bond and acting on the result of the poll is outside the specifications of our bylaws.

I have multiple times in e-mails described this as "Playing Fischer Random with the Handbook"

I have been making this point several times in private e-mails with the executive since the resignation of Mr. Bond. And there was a solid consensus on the Executive for a candidate.

That's all I'm willing to say since being on the Executive does require some discretion but there's no question I am far from the only irate Director at this point.


So Vlad, can you please explain for all of us why you did not follow the legal rules in this case?

You can't claim ignorance since this was brought up in the public discussion weeks ago (by Pierre I believe), and now we see you even had Exec members - a solid consensus - arguing against you.

You're usually the first person to claim that since something might be against the rules, we can't even consider it. But here you are twisting and contorting the rules to try to stack the Executive. I don't know Vadim, and I am not sure I've ever met Victor, but I also don't know what you are up to with trying to get a bunch of friends on the Exec. We in Ontario all saw how that goes with BT and the OCA - it very nearly destroyed the OCA, in fact, and we only survived because the Ontario Government decided it wasn't worth pursuing.

[Lyle Craver]

In a declared conflict of interest situation it is NOT impossible for such a director to remain a director - what is required is that they declare their conflict and TAKE NO FURTHER PART OF THAT PARTICULAR DISCUSSION INCLUDING ANY VOTES BASED ON IT.

Given most of the CFC work is done by e-mail the best that can be done is for the person in conflict to request to be removed from e-mails on that point. I have been appointed several times by our municipal council to serve on various committees and have declared conflicts. Since the meeting was face to face I left the room. When I was summoned back to the room I asked the chair what the result of the board was (which is NOT a conflict since I had taken no part in the matter and would in any case find out later in the minutes), was told, thanked the chair and the meeting went on to the rest of the agenda. All of this is entirely proper in a conflict situation.

Again - a conflict of interest situation is NOT a sign of moral turpitude - in fact it's probably inevitable given you WANT directors who have a well established record of demonstrated interest in the area (in our case chess) that is the reason for the organization's existence. As an organization you WANT such people on your board - people whose interest is demonstrated by their past actions.

Please don't interpret this as a sign of support for any candidate - I'm merely explaining why properly handling any conflicts are both inevitable and important they be done right.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

I've been accused already by a few VMs of attacking fellows VMs etc. for disagreeing with me. I've never had any such intentions.
In fact all this affair is hardly passing a smell test. Hal's resignation letter, an attempt to make Aris his heir, a race between Aris and Vadim, then Victor is getting there and Aris resigning...

However let me reiterate where I stand without attacking anybody:

Vadim's background in chess governance, including being a core member of the new FIDE management team since the 2018 FIDE elections, makes him the best candidate for this position. Only Vadim will be able to open the door wide for Canada into world chess and to bring exciting opportunities for Canadian players, coaches, and organizers. His campaign already has widespread support in all provinces and has been endorsed by well-respected chess professionals on the CFC site and in social media.

Victor Plotkin is in the right spot as the Men's team Captain, his skills set is good for that. Were he to be elected Canada delegate, he would become one of 195 mostly nameless delegates who stand in line with empty hands for four years in a row and are never given anything for their countries apart from an offer or two during the FIDE election year. Realistically, with Victor the delegate Canada will always be behind Kosovo, Burkina Faso or Venezuela in access to any FIDE help. Victor is on record in his electoral program stating that if he were elected, he would rely on Vadim Tsypin and would seek his help dealing with FIDE. Doesn't this tell you everything? Why have a second-hand article when you can own a genuine item?!

Vadim is already at the FIDE's highest table where all important issues - budgets, event bids, regulations - are decided upon. Shall not Canada literally leap at this chance and embrace Vadim as its most capable advocate (see: China WCCC letter, disabled player transfer, Para Olympiad, wild card in World Youth Online, all-expense-paid trip for young players to the Vladimir Dvorkovich Cup, etc.) ?!

I understand the tribalism in political process, and chess is no exception. And if there were two approximately equally qualified candidates either choice is OK. But today's situation is not the case...
Our choice without tribalism issues is an easy one!

Sasha Starr, VM

Sasha's post got lost because it was probably made just as the threads were copied. To complete the circle, here it is.

[Victor Itkin]

The Executive voted to allow this application to proceed. That prompted Hal's resignation.

Thank you for your comments, Vlad.

But I believe that the voting members would be interested to hear some comments to this story directly from Vadim. In particular:

- what was his wife Arbiter title prior to this upgrade?
- in what tournaments had she serve as an Arbiter, and in which of them without his participation?
- what was a reason for Arbiter Upgrade application? Has she improved her qualifications in some way prior to this application?
- has she any other occupation not related to chess?

It was interesting to know some information about Victor Plotkin's wife activities. We may expect to hear something similar from another candidate, especially taking into account that her application became the main reason for Hal Bond's resignation.

Of course, Vadim has every right not to answer these questions on the back of the "fifth amendment".

[Fred McKim]

The situation leading to the resignation of the CFC's FIDE Representative has been well documented. There have probably been a half dozen cases of an Executive member resigning mid-term, since my first time on the Board in 1978. Without exception, the Board has always selected someone to fill the spot until the next AGM. It was clear to all of us that the NEW constitution also allowed for that.

Aris Marghetis was the choice of at least 4 of the remaining 6 Executive members. Aris would have served for 6 months and the election campaign would have been held prior to the AGM along with any others. This would have happened, except the President decided another route would be taken. Certainly the Voting Members might feel they should have the say now, but I think the proper time for that would be at the AGM. While someone might have a 6 month head start on competitors at that point, it could also work against them. Personally, I don't think this nearly month long campaign has helped the CFC in any way.

I have been approached by all 3 candidates for their support. I have no qualms in suggesting any of them would have done a good job. I was going to publicly support Aris, as I felt as an Executive member that was the procedurally correct choice. With his withdrawal from the race, I am not going to throw public support behind either candidate, I know them both and have worked on issues and ideas with them. I will be using the next 6 months to see how things work out with either Vadim filling both this role along with his FIDE Management role or how things go between Victor and him, should Victor win. I'm hoping that we will have at least 2 if not 3 candidates for this spot come the AGM. The last time we had an election for FIDE Rep was years ago trying to make a tough choice between Phil Haley and Nathan Divinsky.

And most importantly, I hope wounds can heal after this race is over, and we can all just get along.

Fred

[Christopher Mallon]

The Executive voted to allow this application to proceed. That prompted Hal's resignation.

An Executive Vote, you say?

I have questions also. Yes or no will do, we don't need entire paragraphs to answer, although if you want to include the tally that would be fine too.

1. Did the Executive have a vote about what to do about replacing Hal, or did you bypass them and go straight to a (completely unscientific and nonbinding) public poll about it?
2. Did the Executive vote to approve the agenda for this meeting before you sent it out?

[Aris Marghetis]

Sasha's post got lost because it was probably made just as the threads were copied. To complete the circle, here it is.

Is there any hope you could be more presidential and stop pushing "your" guy?
The Voting Members deserve an unbiased environment for this election meeting.

Just my 2c, and respectfully.

[Lyle Craver]

As another Executive member I fully agree with how Fred has described things.

This matter has been very very badly handled since Hal's resignation and before and I want to reiterate that:

- our bylaws say very clearly how a resigned director is to be replaced and that the method chosen does not follow those

- that mid-term resignations of executive members is extremely infrequent in CFC recent history

- our bylaws are NOT nearly as accessible to the VMs and the public as they ought to be and providing this accessibility should be an action item on the very next update to the CFC website and that this inaccessibility has contributed to why a special meeting was thought necessary

- this whole thread has been copied from the public areas of our forum and are NOT all posted here afresh in the first 3 hours of this meeting (which I confess REALLY made me wonder)

- in the copied thread there were postings from non VMs and it appeared to me that they had actually posted here rather than being COPIED here. These non-VM individuals are completely innocent of any breach.

- however when I saw their "postings" it appeared they had gained improper access to the forum which is a VERY big deal since anybody who has POSTING access in the meeting has VOTING access in the meeting and we definitely do not want that to happen

- I know who did the copying and while I won't publicly embarrass him / her have admonished them never ever to copy a public forum thread into a VM thread again. In other words giving them the proverbial "wet noodle"

- if nothing else, this whole affair demonstrates (1) why we need to faithfully follow our own rules (2) why these rules need to be freely accessible to all so they are clearly understood by all members (3) why you DON'T copy threads from area to area without a very good reason and the unintended consequences that can follow when you do.

- lastly I am not the first CFC Secretary nor will be the last but I want to say clearly that in this online era VM security and the protection of our posting and voting system is a very very high priority and anyone contemplating seeking the role REALLY needs to understand this. If it's NOT a high priority for you then maybe CFC Secretary isn't the position you should seek.

[Aris Marghetis]

CFC FIDE Representative: Aris Marghetis endorses Victor Plotkin

Dear Canadian chess family, like most of you, I am a chess person for life. I deeply believe chess is a wonderful unique activity that transcends so many possible divisions in life. A 5-year-old can play a 95-year-old; where it doesn't matter at all what's their size, gender, ethnicity, religion, nation, etc.

Chess is so special!

And that's why I have chosen to serve the game to the best of my abilities, mostly as an Arbiter, but also as a teacher, especially of complete beginners. I love starting families off on a lifetime of chess!

My use of the phrase "to serve" is very intentional. I feel deeply we should all strive to do what is genuinely best for the game of chess, from fundamental grass roots all the way to CFC and FIDE.

So, when Hal Bond resigned as CFC FIDE Representative, I was moved by proposals that I continue serving, as the next CFC FIDE Representative. With my long spectrum of experiences across Canada, the United States, and FIDE; it looked like a great fit for everyone. I was very excited to get started!

Unfortunately, during this pandemic, especially since Christmas, our family has been shocked by a mean series of deaths, strokes / heart attacks, and other hospitalizations. I respectfully withdraw.

That leaves two candidates, Victor Plotkin and Vadim Tsypin. Both men are very intelligent, very industrious; and each in his own way, very successful. There are differences, none more obvious than Vadim's current position on the FIDE Management Board. Even before "conflict of interest".

Please consider the following analysis.

Decades ago, John Prentice honourably represented Canada within FIDE leadership. For the first time since then, we have a Canadian within FIDE management. This is a very good thing. Then the question we should ask ourselves is a strategic one. Given that Vadim already is where he is, then between Vadim and Victor, who would be the better choice as CFC FIDE Representative? Another way of phrasing this is: who would not be the lesser candidate? Here is my strategic thinking:

1) Vadim has been on the FIDE Management Board since 2018. During that time, Vadim has maintained a very close relationship with CFC President Vlad Drkulec. Could that get any better with Vadim as CFC FIDE Representative? Despite the flowery words and some adamant posts, the answer is: of course not. All it would do is to erode Vadim's influence within FIDE leadership. The new danger is that whenever Vadim speaks at the FIDE level, sometimes people will understandably wonder whether Vadim is wearing his FIDE management hat or one of his CFC hats. Why risk that?!

2) The counter-argument that Vadim can "get things done" better than before just doesn't add up. Vadim has already been there since 2018, always with a very tight relationship with Vlad, so how would it suddenly get better for the CFC? So there's a potential downside, but no potential upside.

3) Every organization has a leadership pyramid. The FIDE Management Board is up there in the FIDE leadership pyramid. Further down, but quite importantly, the Zonal Presidents and national delegates to FIDE are also part of the FIDE leadership pyramid. We have a unique opportunity to double how many Canadians in this conversation. Why in the world wouldn't we take advantage?!

In the spirit of full disclosure, I have discussed my concerns with both Vadim and Vlad, who has apparently decided to support Vadim. I have clearly expressed my profound disappointment over the strategic mistake of installing Vadim as CFC FIDE Representative. Now I make my case to you.

Victor Plotkin is a man of integrity, and is stepping up to serve chess, with no expected reward other than just that, serving chess, for both CFC and FIDE. At the upcoming February 2021 special meeting, I heartily encourage you to vote for Victor Plotkin as our next CFC FIDE Representative.

If you want to chat before voting, I'll make time for you. If you Skype, my Name is "arismarghetis".

Thank you, best regards, Aris Marghetis.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

For the record --- does this thread from the public environment becomes the special meeting record? Wow....

[Victor Itkin]

[QUOTE=Lyle Craver;36636]- our bylaws say very clearly how a resigned director is to be replaced and that the method chosen does not follow those

Lyle,

1. Why did this happen, and who's fault was it?

2. Maybe in such circumstances, another option is to cancel improper elections and follow the bylaws?

[Sasha Starr]

Aris, thank you for your post. Totally agree with you that "Victor Plotkin is a man of integrity, and is stepping up to serve chess, with no expected reward other than just that, serving chess, for both CFC and FIDE."

Now let me address some of your main statements:

"Vadim has been on the FIDE Management Board since 2018. During that time, Vadim has maintained a very close relationship with CFC President Vlad Drkulec. Could that get any better with Vadim as CFC FIDE Representative? "Despite the flowery words and some adamant posts, the answer is: of course not. All it would do is to erode Vadim's influence within FIDE leadership. The new danger is that whenever Vadim speaks at the FIDE level, sometimes people will understandably wonder whether Vadim is wearing his FIDE management hat or one of his CFC hats. Why risk that?!"

According to you since 2018 Vadim is on the FIDE's Management Board while maintaining a very close relationship with CFC President Vlad Drkulec. In my opinion that makes Vadim highly effective on any and all Canadian related issues. In fact what makes you think that "Could that get any better with Vadim as CFC FIDE Representative? Despite the flowery words and some adamant posts, the answer is: of course not."? Don't get it at all. "The new danger is that whenever Vadim speaks at the FIDE level, sometimes people will understandably wonder whether Vadim is wearing his FIDE management hat or one of his CFC hats. Why risk that?!" Really! Can't think of a single issue where Vadim would had to abstain because of your implied conflict of interest. In fact CFC would gain tremendously from Vadim's senior position in both CFC and FIDE because things would've moved expeditiously and effectively. Let's imagine that Victor Plotkin is elected and is trying to help solving a "Canadian" related issue: he's just one of about almost 200 representatives and now, especially in the pandemic time, I fail to see how anybody could be even nearly as effective as Vadim.

Your example of the leadership pyramid explicitly pictures that while CFC has already somebody almost at the very top! And you are proposing CFC to reject him! By installing someone at the much lower level betting then two is better than one! Of course not. Victor himself has admitted that he needs a training on the job. How would Victor even technically achieved that training during the pandemic time? And how much time that training would require? With Vadim's help? And without one?

I'm trying very hard to see viable solution to this situation. Without tribalism issues everything is rather simple. Nevertheless I hope for an intelligent decision!

Sasha Starr, VM

[Pierre Dénommée]

May I ask: was it by your recommendation? You were the adviser of the FIDE President at that moment, were not you?

I have just started my tenure as a vice-president of the CFC back in 2018, and inquired how persons get on FIDE commissions without passing the national federation as there were other appointments what lifted my eyebrows.

You need the CFC permission to occupy an elected position within FIDE. Such permission is not required for Non-Elected Commissions, except for the chairman. Furthermore, ounce named, the CFC does not have the Authority to dismiss a Non-Elected Commission member (see 1.4.7). The normal procedure is the appointment of the Chairmen by the FIDE President followed by the appointment of the members chosen by the Chairmen.



1.4

Membership

The following membership conditions and proceedings shall apply to all Commissions with the exception of the Fair Play Commission and Global Strategy Commission.
1.4.1

Each Commission shall consist of:

A Chairman appointed by the FIDE President
Appointing the Chairman of the commission, the FIDE President takes into account the opinion of the Federation to which the relevant candidate belongs
Council consisting of a Secretary and 3 members appointed by the FIDE President
8 members with consultative status: 4 to be appointed by the FIDE President and 1 each nominated by the Continental Presidents.

1.4.2

The secretary of the commission, members and members with consultative status are appointed by the FIDE President upon the proposal of the Chairman of the commission. This rule does not infringe on the right of each Continental Presidents to nominate one member with consultative status.

1.4.3 Upon a proposal from the Chairman of the Commission, the FIDE President has the right to appoint any numbers of members of the commission and members with consultative status at any time.
1.4.4 Members should be appointed on the basis of experience and expertise in the area of competence of the respective Commissions and Committees. Where possible, all Continents should be represented in Commissions. When approving the composition of the commissions, if possible, there should be at least two women in the final composition of each commission.
1.4.5 The FIDE President has the right to appoint an Honorary Commission Chairman. The Honorary Commission Chairman has consultative status.
1.4.6

The period of appointments shall be 4 years commencing right after the session of the General Assembly (GA) devoted to the election of FIDE Officials.

1.4.7 Upon a proposal from the Chairman of the Commission, the FIDE President has the right to terminate with the motivated decision the authority of any commission member, member with consultative status or secretary at any time, and to appoint a replacement simultaneously, except for those that have been nominated by Continental Presidents. Upon a proposal from the Chairman of the Commission, the Continental President has a right to terminate with the motivated decision the authority of member with consultative status who was nominated by the relevant Continental President and to appoint a replacement simultaneously.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

An Executive Vote, you say?

I have questions also. Yes or no will do, we don't need entire paragraphs to answer, although if you want to include the tally that would be fine too.

1. Did the Executive have a vote about what to do about replacing Hal, or did you bypass them and go straight to a (completely unscientific and nonbinding) public poll about it?
2. Did the Executive vote to approve the agenda for this meeting before you sent it out?

At various times the executive put forward several measures including one that would have split the job of FIDE rep between Hal Bond and Aris Marghetis and required a change of bylaw without explicitly changing the bylaw. This could not be done without going to the voting members for approval.

Under the old handbook this would be my decision as president.

Under the NFP act this could be a decision for either the board or the voting members. If three voting members asked for a meeting I would have the power to stonewall them for up to 150 days or until the AGM but my practice has been to be as democratic as I could be and allow and expedite such meetings and measures to proceed as if sanctioned by a member of the executive. This was not an option if the FIDE rep job was split up as it required a bylaw change and thus would have to be approved by the voting members at the meeting already scheduled for April.

I contacted various voting members and asked them what they thought of it probably starting with Nikolay Noritsyn. I was contacted by many more voting members including Michael Barron and Ian Findlay. I asked them what they thought and most were in favour of putting it to the voting members. Five percent of the voting members can call a meeting and I had more than five percent of the voting members asking for a meeting.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Dear Victor,


Thank you for your comments, Vlad.

But I believe that the voting members would be interested to hear some comments to this story directly from Vadim. In particular:

- what was his wife Arbiter title prior to this upgrade?
- in what tournaments had she serve as an Arbiter, and in which of them without his participation?
- what was a reason for Arbiter Upgrade application? Has she improved her qualifications in some way prior to this application?
- has she any other occupation not related to chess?

It was interesting to know some information about Victor Plotkin's wife activities. We may expect to hear something similar from another candidate, especially taking into account that her application became the main reason for Hal Bond's resignation.

Of course, Vadim has every right not to answer these questions on the back of the "fifth amendment".

Thank you for questions on substance. It is a pleasure for me to answer them although I am puzzled why didn’t you address those directly to my dear wife who is her own person. Women are not considered “appendages” to their husbands anymore, right?

My spouse Diana Tsypina is an accomplished professional and entrepreneur. She holds Master of Sciences degree in Computer Science and worked with distinction for several decades in Canada in the leading Crown corporations and Information Technology companies. Diana is also a business owner and has significant investment income.

Like many of our colleagues, Diana Tsypina started her successful career as a chess arbiter by leveraging her professional qualifications to master the tournament management software such as Siwss Sys, Vega, and Swiss Manager. By working hard at the scholastic, youth, and national events, she rose through the ranks and distinguished herself:
• First, by becoming the first female FIDE Arbiter in Canada (title awarded at 89th FIDE Congress 2018, 26 Sep - 6 Oct, Batumi, Georgia),
• Then, by becoming the only active female International Arbiter in Canada (after late Evelyn Stringer , b. 1928) (title awarded at 3rd quarter PB 2019, 7-8 September, Budapest, HUN).

Diana and I extremely happy that, due to great efforts of Ontario organizers to promote gender equity in chess, two distinguished ladies, Corinna Wan and Karen Wan (titles awarded at 2020 2nd FIDE Council meeting). Congratulations again, Corinna and Karen! The IA Norms are awaiting you and all the bright hard-working Canadian arbiters in the international events that we will be able to bring to Canada together after this election.

Her background and advanced skills in mathematics and computer science brought Diana Tsypina into a rarified circle of the world’s topmost authorities in Swiss pairing implementation algorithms. Since 2018, she is a ranking member of the FIDE Systems of Pairings and Programs Commission (SPP), contributing a lot to the advances of tournament software, including online platforms, worldwide.
https://spp.fide.com/2019/10/23/spp-meeting/

A lifetime CFC and FQE member, Diana Tsypina served with distinction, including as Chief Arbiter or Deputy Chief Arbiter, in several dozen World, Continental and National events, as well as in huge international festivals in Europe and the marquee norm events in Canada and the USA. Some of you, honourable Voting Members, took part in such events as the 2018 edition of the Canadian Youth Chess Championship / Canadian Open in Quebec and the 2019 edition in Saskatchewan, of the GM Norm event at the famous Max Dlugy’s Academy in New York.

Diana’s official FIDE card can be accessed here:
https://ratings.fide.com/profile/2631717

Diana Tsypina submitted a routine category upgrade application to FIDE for CFC’s acknowledgment in December 2020. It was later established that this application met or exceeded all legal requirements codified in the FIDE Handbook B06, Annex 2, "Regulations for the classification of the chess arbiters".

Yet, for unknown reasons, Diana was viciously attacked by a member of the CFC Executive who suddenly decided to play a role of a self-proclaimed gatekeeper for Canadians’ advance through FIDE – a role that the CFC Exec didn’t entrust him with.

“The Board of Directors of the Chess Federation of Canada overwhelmingly voted to support Mrs. Tsypina's application despite the objections of our delegate who ultimately resigned because the board disagreed with [the delegate’s] interpretation of our role in this process.”

The application has been properly processed by FIDE. Diana decided not to reply to the former delegate’s unfounded statements – she has a business to run and politics is not her style.

Now, some VMs has upped the ante and stepped into the public realm to attack my wife’s and my reputation and our good names. By repeating hearsay, and quoting in public, materially unfounded and patently false allegations, they put their own reputations in question.

[Victor Itkin]

Dear Victor,



Thank you for questions on substance. It is a pleasure for me to answer them although I am puzzled why didn’t you address those directly to my dear wife who is her own person. Women are not considered “appendages” to their husbands anymore, right?

My spouse Diana Tsypina is an accomplished professional and entrepreneur. She holds Master of Sciences degree in Computer Science and worked with distinction for several decades in Canada in the leading Crown corporations and Information Technology companies. Diana is also a business owner and has significant investment income.

Like many of our colleagues, Diana Tsypina started her successful career as a chess arbiter by leveraging her professional qualifications to master the tournament management software such as Siwss Sys, Vega, and Swiss Manager. By working hard at the scholastic, youth, and national events, she rose through the ranks and distinguished herself:
• First, by becoming the first female FIDE Arbiter in Canada (title awarded at 89th FIDE Congress 2018, 26 Sep - 6 Oct, Batumi, Georgia),
• Then, by becoming the only active female International Arbiter in Canada (after late Evelyn Stringer , b. 1928) (title awarded at 3rd quarter PB 2019, 7-8 September, Budapest, HUN).

Diana and I extremely happy that, due to great efforts of Ontario organizers to promote gender equity in chess, two distinguished ladies, Corinna Wan and Karen Wan (titles awarded at 2020 2nd FIDE Council meeting). Congratulations again, Corinna and Karen! The IA Norms are awaiting you and all the bright hard-working Canadian arbiters in the international events that we will be able to bring to Canada together after this election.

Her background and advanced skills in mathematics and computer science brought Diana Tsypina into a rarified circle of the world’s topmost authorities in Swiss pairing implementation algorithms. Since 2018, she is a ranking member of the FIDE Systems of Pairings and Programs Commission (SPP), contributing a lot to the advances of tournament software, including online platforms, worldwide.
https://spp.fide.com/2019/10/23/spp-meeting/

A lifetime CFC and FQE member, Diana Tsypina served with distinction, including as Chief Arbiter or Deputy Chief Arbiter, in several dozen World, Continental and National events, as well as in huge international festivals in Europe and the marquee norm events in Canada and the USA. Some of you, honourable Voting Members, took part in such events as the 2018 edition of the Canadian Youth Chess Championship / Canadian Open in Quebec and the 2019 edition in Saskatchewan, of the GM Norm event at the famous Max Dlugy’s Academy in New York.

Diana’s official FIDE card can be accessed here:
https://ratings.fide.com/profile/2631717

Diana Tsypina submitted a routine category upgrade application to FIDE for CFC’s acknowledgment in December 2020. It was later established that this application met or exceeded all legal requirements codified in the FIDE Handbook B06, Annex 2, "Regulations for the classification of the chess arbiters".

Yet, for unknown reasons, Diana was viciously attacked by a member of the CFC Executive who suddenly decided to play a role of a self-proclaimed gatekeeper for Canadians’ advance through FIDE – a role that the CFC Exec didn’t entrust him with.

“The Board of Directors of the Chess Federation of Canada overwhelmingly voted to support Mrs. Tsypina's application despite the objections of our delegate who ultimately resigned because the board disagreed with [the delegate’s] interpretation of our role in this process.”

The application has been properly processed by FIDE. Diana decided not to reply to the former delegate’s unfounded statements – she has a business to run and politics is not her style.

Now, some VMs has upped the ante and stepped into the public realm to attack my wife’s and my reputation and our good names. By repeating hearsay, and quoting in public, materially unfounded and patently false allegations, they put their own reputations in question.

Vadim,

Thank you for your quick reply. It is always good to hear the story from both arguing sides.

I didn't ask your wife directly because I wasn't sure if she is reading this thread.

Sincerely,


Victor Itkin.

[Christopher Mallon]

Thank you for questions on substance. It is a pleasure for me to answer them although I am puzzled why didn’t you address those directly to my dear wife who is her own person. Women are not considered “appendages” to their husbands anymore, right?

As a guess, I would say it was probably directed at you because she can't actually post here, not being a Voting Member.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

[QUOTE=Lyle Craver;36636]- our bylaws say very clearly how a resigned director is to be replaced and that the method chosen does not follow those

Lyle,

1. Why did this happen, and who's fault was it?

2. Maybe in such circumstances, another option is to cancel improper elections and follow the bylaws?

Our bylaw states that 5% of the voting members can call for a special meeting. More than 5% asked for a special meeting. Blame it on the government.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Dear Chess friends,during my years in FIDE on different positions, I always had great contacts with canadian chess!
Nowadays I want to say few nice words about one of the Canadians, which can contribute a lot to chess!



Vadim Tsypin appeared on the International Chess scene just recently, but he was known for his great love for the game and his organizational and communicative abilities well before.
I had a very nice experience with him during the 2018 FIDE Congress in Batumi , where he showed very realistic evaluation of the situation in chess and showed his ability to change many things in FIDE in positive direction. Later, in my capacity as the Honorary Chairman of the FIDE Trainers’ Commission, I dealt with Vadim professionally on a regular basis for all FIDE matters. He was always on top of every file.
I think that Vadim Tsypin the best candidate for Canada representative in FIDE. He became one of FIDE leaders (Secretary of the Management Board) and showed his professionalism and activity in different chess development projects worldwide. But his most important function can be development of cooperation Canada Chess Federation and FIDE in different areas ,especially in chess education. Canadian chess can benefit a lot from new FIDE development programs which Vadim Tsypin helped to establish in the last few years.



Best regards, IGM Adrian Mikhalchishin

https://en.chessbase.com/post/adrian-mikhalchishin-grandmaster-author-and-che-trainer
GM Adrian Bogdanovich Mikhalchishin (or Mihalcisin or Mihalčišin) established himself as a strong grandmaster who was the second to World Champion Anatoly Karpov. He went on to become an internationally renowned trainer and a prolific author of chess books. Adrian discusses his life and the strategy of chess training in this interview with Özgür Akman.

[Pierre Dénommée]

Diana Tsypin obtained a well deserved IA norm during the Quebec Open in which I was the Deputy Chief Arbiter. The primary duty of the DCA was to handle complaints against the Sectors Arbiters and to resolve any case before it reached the Chief Arbiter. If all arbiters were like Diana, I would have been in vacation because no complaint from her sector ever escalated to me. She can cope with everything arising in her sectors without any assistance, which is what we are looking for when awarding an IA norm certificate.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Diana Tsypin obtained a well deserved IA norm during the Quebec Open in which I was the Deputy Chief Arbiter. The primary duty of the DCA was to handle complaints against the Sectors Arbiters and to resolve any case before it reached the Chief Arbiter. If all arbiters were like Diana, I would have been in vacation because no complaint from her sector ever escalated to me. She can cope with everything arising in her sectors without any assistance, which is what we are looking for when awarding an IA norm certificate.

Thank you, Pierre. It should be noted that the FQE supported her application but that support came only after the board had already voted to forward her application to FIDE. They sent me a note which I fully agreed with about the role of the CFC being to help advance the interests of our arbiters and players.

[Lyle Craver]

I strongly disagree.

Under the NFP bylaws (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rum-FSQx2RAfwrAXw9lA5-4NQ8Zffidis8yT_QJELb4/preview) (note clickable link) anyone will quickly verify that the two roles are one and the same.

The essential problem - and I have made this point for years - is that these bylaws are NOT currently readily available to the membership. They NEED to be on a high level link in the main CFC site and I very much DO believe that we as a federation would NOT be "playing Fischer Random with the Handbook" were access to these more readily available. This is why I insist addition of both the old and the new links be at the top of the list for the next round of chess.ca updates.

We could have avoided a ton of grief had this been done well in advance of Hal's resignation and I'm quite sure you now know this though whether or not you will say so publicly is anybody's guess.

[Lloyd Lombard]

I have read this complete thread (at least twice and some places several times - and again, in my view, Vadim does not have a "conflict of interest" if elected). I have also read Aris's resignation e-mail. As I stated earlier, I have indicated that I supported Vadim, at least until my mind was changed by other submissions. First, I regret that Aris has resigned as he was obviously an excellent candidate however I understand his reasoning. We have two "very" strong candidates remaining for the position sought. I'm certain that I don't need to remind everyone that the most important issue here is the "long-term benefit to the CFC", not-withstanding that we have two able candidates. Aris brings up strong points where I would appreciate the candidates comments on a couple of questions which, for me will likely decide my final vote. I am hopeful that these questions will also assist the Directors to arrive at an informed final decision. I'm not looking for a long-winded explanation, but sufficient information to explain your position:

1) There is a saying that there is "strength in numbers". In other words, would it be of benefit or a detriment to the CFC to have Vadim in his current position and Victor as CFC Representative or is it of greater benefit to the CFC to have Vadim filing both his current FIDE position and CFC representative ?

2) Can and would both Candidates work together for the benefit of the CFC if Victor was elected ?

3) Vadim, of what I've read, I understand that there is a concern that as an employee of FIDE, if there was a situation which may be averse to the CFC but of corresponding benefit to FIDE, that you would be caught in a quandary where you may not be in a position to support the CFC. I would be interested in your comment.

4) Victor, Vadim has a strong relationship with Dvorkovich which should also be of great benefit to the CFC Representative for "getting things done". I note that in your presentation, that you have not always agreed with Dvorkovich's position and policies. In my view, it will be very important for the CFC Representative to have a cordial relationship with the President of FIDE. Can you please comment.

Of course, it is up to either or both of you to decide whether to respond to these questions however I am hopeful that you will as I am frankly uncertain of my vote at this point.

Lloyd

[Mark S. Dutton, I.A.]

As another Executive member I fully agree with how Fred has described things.

This matter has been very very badly handled since Hal's resignation and before and I want to reiterate that:

- our bylaws say very clearly how a resigned director is to be replaced and that the method chosen does not follow those

- that mid-term resignations of executive members is extremely infrequent in CFC recent history

- our bylaws are NOT nearly as accessible to the VMs and the public as they ought to be and providing this accessibility should be an action item on the very next update to the CFC website and that this inaccessibility has contributed to why a special meeting was thought necessary

- this whole thread has been copied from the public areas of our forum and are NOT all posted here afresh in the first 3 hours of this meeting (which I confess REALLY made me wonder)

- in the copied thread there were postings from non VMs and it appeared to me that they had actually posted here rather than being COPIED here. These non-VM individuals are completely innocent of any breach.

- however when I saw their "postings" it appeared they had gained improper access to the forum which is a VERY big deal since anybody who has POSTING access in the meeting has VOTING access in the meeting and we definitely do not want that to happen

- I know who did the copying and while I won't publicly embarrass him / her have admonished them never ever to copy a public forum thread into a VM thread again. In other words giving them the proverbial "wet noodle"

- if nothing else, this whole affair demonstrates (1) why we need to faithfully follow our own rules (2) why these rules need to be freely accessible to all so they are clearly understood by all members (3) why you DON'T copy threads from area to area without a very good reason and the unintended consequences that can follow when you do.

- lastly I am not the first CFC Secretary nor will be the last but I want to say clearly that in this online era VM security and the protection of our posting and voting system is a very very high priority and anyone contemplating seeking the role REALLY needs to understand this. If it's NOT a high priority for you then maybe CFC Secretary isn't the position you should seek.

I am very disappointed in the President’s leadership, for all the reasons my executive colleagues have described in the entire handling of these matters. The FIDE rep position should have been handled by an interim executive appointment until the next AGM.

I don't believe that we should add any further members to the Exec at this time -- what is the urgency? Currently we have 7 Executive members and when Hal Bond resigned the President took over and told us what was happening.

Why do we need to add more members to the executive when our opinions are not respected?

CFC President Vladimir Drkulec you are working almost too hard and this entire situation has now unravelled to this unneccessary and divisive meeting. I find this completely unacceptable.

[Lyle Craver]

ok that would be 5 VMs.

So what you're basically saying is that 5 VMs can overthrow 7 (or 6) executives.

Please explain to me how precisely we can go from having an unadvertised online straw vote - which is what an unadvertised vote is - can morph into a call for a special meeting? Because I'm fairly certain that an unadvertised binding vote isn't legit by any stretch of the imagination. If it is then truly we are in a "strange new world"

The PROPER question should have been "Does the VM Assembly wish to have a special meeting to re-visit the vote of the national executive on the FIDE Rep matter" - we then could have voted and proceeded from there. What you instead had was a straw poll where none of the options got a majority vote. But then that couldn't have happened because you refused to call a vote of the Exec when it was clear which way the wind was blowing there.

In short - morphing an online poll into a formal request for a special meeting is legerdemain far beyond my level. Under the Act there's supposed to be a petition for a special meeting.

What we have here folks is the president deciding his desired result and ignoring his executive and going directly to the VMs and engineering the result he wants completely against the wishes of his board.

I urge all of you to keep this point firmly in mind when you cast your votes.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

ok that would be 5 VMs.

So what you're basically saying is that 5 VMs can overthrow 7 (or 6) executives.

Please explain to me how precisely we can go from having an unadvertised online straw vote - which is what an unadvertised vote is - can morph into a call for a special meeting? Because I'm fairly certain that an unadvertised binding vote isn't legit by any stretch of the imagination. If it is then truly we are in a "strange new world"

The PROPER question should have been "Does the VM Assembly wish to have a special meeting to re-visit the vote of the national executive on the FIDE Rep matter" - we then could have voted and proceeded from there. What you instead had was a straw poll where none of the options got a majority vote. But then that couldn't have happened because you refused to call a vote of the Exec when it was clear which way the wind was blowing there.

In short - morphing an online poll into a formal request for a special meeting is legerdemain far beyond my level. Under the Act there's supposed to be a petition for a special meeting.

What we have here folks is the president deciding his desired result and ignoring his executive and going directly to the VMs and engineering the result he wants completely against the wishes of his board.

I urge all of you to keep this point firmly in mind when you cast your votes.

Five voting members can definitely call for a meeting at which they can override the executive and even remove the executive if they can convince a majority of the voting members. Removal requires a majority of votes cast. Fifty percent plus one.

[Jeremy Clark]

Five voting members can definitely call for a meeting at which they can override the executive and even remove the executive if they can convince a majority of the voting members. Removal requires a majority of votes cast. Fifty percent plus one.

From my reading of Lyle's post, I take it his frustration is with the unofficial nature of how this all began - the unannounced straw-poll. There was no motion from VMs nor a formal vote by the executive. It was simply the president opting for the route he most preferred. But Lyle's free to dispute my interpretation of his words.

[Lyle Craver]

Obviously I'm well aware it does not require a super-majority to remove someone.

That said there is no mandate to require ALL Assembly members to constantly monitor ALL forums to ensure there's no 5 members agreeing to anything in particular.

While I was aware the president was ginning up support for a special meeting to avoid calling an executive vote on the vacancy as was his duty, it's been an exceptionally busy time for me both at work and my extracurriculars. Neither was there the usual consultation on meeting dates this time around. It seems this is to be "the new normal".

Plain and simply the president chose to go DIRECTLY to a VM meeting rather than letting the Executive have their vote on the FIDE Rep spot as was their right under our bylaws. ONLY then could there be a VM petition to overturn a decision which we never got to make because we as a board were not allowed to make it in the first place.

I find it exceptionally hard to fathom the president felt he needed to interpret a forum poll as a mandate for a special meeting to overturn a decision that the Executive had the right under our bylaws to make because he had refused to call a vote they had a right to vote on.

However since the board's candidate has chosen to withdraw all this is now moot. And added additional agenda items that were NOT part of the original online "vote" to hold a special meeting.

Sorry but when I say this whole matter has been very poorly handled this is precisely what I mean.

[Sasha Starr]

Lyle, thank you very much for clarification!

I'm not disputing CFC rules at all. But given a choice, don't you think though that the position of FIDE representative is of such importance, directly affecting so many Canadiens - players, arbiters, etc., that it is much better to have as wide body of CFC Members as possible to participate in the decision making process? If true, then Voting Members' Assembly is much more representative body then six executives. Most of them don't have any experience in the International Chess politics anyway. One who had - Hal Bond - when disagreed with certain executive's decision has promptly resigned putting at risk his professional chess carrier.

Wondering why there are no more executive's resignations?

Sasha Starr, VM

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Obviously I'm well aware it does not require a super-majority to remove someone.

That said there is no mandate to require ALL Assembly members to constantly monitor ALL forums to ensure there's no 5 members agreeing to anything in particular.

While I was aware the president was ginning up support for a special meeting to avoid calling an executive vote on the vacancy as was his duty, it's been an exceptionally busy time for me both at work and my extracurriculars. Neither was there the usual consultation on meeting dates this time around. It seems this is to be "the new normal".

Plain and simply the president chose to go DIRECTLY to a VM meeting rather than letting the Executive have their vote on the FIDE Rep spot as was their right under our bylaws.

Where are you reading that? My reading of our bylaws gives that right for non-elected officers. That would mean someone like Bob. You might make a case for people like the magazine editor and rating auditor and so on.

https://www.millerthomson.com/en/publications/communiques-and-updates/social-impact-newsletter/january-23-2020-social-impact/directors-of-not-for-profits-and-charities-resignation-removal-and-replacement/
.
The rules for replacement of directors are found in the NFP act. There two sets of possibilities there depending on whether all the directors are seated and the vagueness of the language as to the meaning of all directors. This made simply choosing a director a risky decision as one interpretation might have been that if all of the directors are not seated (ie ten of them) then the decision should go to a meeting of the voting members.




https://www.millerthomson.com/en/publications/communiques-and-updates/social-impact-newsletter/january-23-2020-social-impact/directors-of-not-for-profits-and-charities-resignation-removal-and-replacement/
Filling vacancies

A vacancy created by the removal of a director of a CNCA corporation may be filled at the meeting of the members at which the director is removed or, if not so filled, may be filled by the remaining directors. Generally, a quorum of directors may fill a board vacancy, except where the vacancy results from an increase in the number of directors provided for in the articles or a failure to elect the number of directors provided for in the articles. Such vacancies must be filled by the members at a special meeting.



There are only two exceptions to the general rule that the members must elect the directors of the corporation. First, the articles can permit the directors to appoint additional directors between annual meetings to hold office for a term that must expire on or before the next annual meeting of members. This is permitted as long as the total number of appointed directors is not more than one-third of the number of directors elected at the previous annual meeting (refer to subsection 128(8) of the NFP Act). If the articles do not permit the directors to appoint additional directors, the articles must be amended by filing Form 4004 – Articles of Amendment (see Federal corporation forms (https://corporationscanada.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/eng/cs05260.html)) and paying the fee (see Services, fees and processing times – NFP Act (https://corporationscanada.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/eng/cs04957.html)). For more information, see Changing the structure or nature of the corporation (https://corporationscanada.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/eng/cs05008.html); you can also refer to subsection 132(1) of the NFP Act.
The second exception allows a vacancy on the board to be filled by the directors, as long as there is a quorum on the board to participate in filling the vacancy (see Directors terms and vacancies on the board of directors (https://corporationscanada.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/eng/cs05004.html#toc-05); you can also refer to section 132 of the NFP Act).




https://corporationscanada.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/eng/cs05004.html

If a vacancy occurs on the board of directors, the remaining directors can continue to exercise all the powers of directors as long as the number of remaining elected directors constitutes a quorum, that is, a majority of the directors, or the minimum number of directors required at a meeting, unless otherwise specified in your corporation's by-laws (refer to subsection 136(2) of the NFP Act).
A vacancy on the board can arise for a variety of reasons (refer to subsection 128(7) of the NFP Act), including:


a resignation
the removal of a director by the members
an increase in the number, or in the minimum or maximum number, of directors provided for in the articles or
members not electing, from among the candidates, the number of directors or the minimum of directors required by the articles, because a candidate:

did not consent to act as a director
did not meet the qualifications
was incapable of serving as a director, or
died.



When a vacancy is filled, the director appointed or elected to fill the vacancy holds office for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor (refer to subsection 132(6) of the NFP Act).
Depending on how the vacancy was created, the method of filling the vacancy can vary. Specifically:


If a vacancy is created as a result of a director being removed from office at a meeting of the members, the members can elect another person to act as director (refer to subsection 130(3) of the NFP Act). If such a vacancy is not filled by the members at that meeting, a quorum of the directors can fill the vacancy after that meeting by appointing another person to be a director (refer to subsection 132(1) of the NFP Act).
If there is not a quorum of the directors or if a vacancy is created as a result of an increase in the number or the minimum or maximum number of directors provided for in the articles, or a failure to elect the number or minimum number of directors provided for in the articles, the directors then in office must call a special meeting of members to fill the vacancy (refer to subsections 132(1) and (2) of the NFP Act).

[Victor Itkin]

I contacted various voting members and asked them what they thought of it probably starting with Nikolay Noritsyn. I was contacted by many more voting members including Michael Barron and Ian Findlay. I asked them what they thought and most were in favour of putting it to the voting members. Five percent of the voting members can call a meeting and I had more than five percent of the voting members asking for a meeting.

Vlad, after reading all other related posts, I think, here is the essence of what happened: you contacted various voting members... These are the key words.

This is exactly what you shouldn't do in this situation according to the bylaws. Instead you should call for Executive vote on this matter.

Five percent of the voting members can call a special meeting on some issue if this is their initiative. In this case, they shouldn't be involved, and even shouldn't be informed about the matter - at least until Executives would make their vote.

[Sasha Starr]

Vlad, after reading all other related posts, I think, here is the essence of what happened: you contacted various voting members... These are the key words.

This is exactly what you shouldn't do in this situation according to the bylaws. Instead you should call for Executive vote on this matter.

Five percent of the voting members can call a special meeting on some issue if this is their initiative. In this case, they shouldn't be involved, and even shouldn't be informed about the matter - at least until Executives would make their vote.

From my earlier post:

The position of FIDE representative is of such importance, directly affecting so many Canadiens - players, arbiters, etc., that it is much better to have as wide body of CFC Members as possible to participate in the decision making process. If true, then Voting Members' Assembly is much more representative body then six executives. Most of them don't have any experience in the International Chess politics anyway.

Sasha Starr, VM.

[Nikolay Noritsyn]

Vlad, after reading all other related posts, I think, here is the essence of what happened: you contacted various voting members... These are the key words.

This is exactly what you shouldn't do in this situation according to the bylaws. Instead you should call for Executive vote on this matter.

Five percent of the voting members can call a special meeting on some issue if this is their initiative. In this case, they shouldn't be involved, and even shouldn't be informed about the matter - at least until Executives would make their vote.

I find it humorous how Vlad thinks he can count on me to be a 'yes' vote on a 'lets be democratic and have the voting members decide' mission to further his undemocratic ambitions (after losing 5-2 on the issue with the Executive). This little intrigue worked. No regrets, I am glad that there is a meeting and issues are being discussed in the open. I am not sure why Dutton and Craver are only publicly voicing their opinions now, since the meeting is already happening - its too late. This could have been done weeks ago. Why are you allowing the president to bypass Executive decisions?

[Jeremy Clark]

From my earlier post:

The position of FIDE representative is of such importance, directly affecting so many Canadiens - players, arbiters, etc., that it is much better to have as wide body of CFC Members as possible to participate in the decision making process. If true, then Voting Members' Assembly is much more representative body then six executives. Most of them don't have any experience in the International Chess politics anyway.

Sasha Starr, VM.

The issue in the post you quoted isn't involving the VMs, it's contacting a subset of them to ask their opinion, followed by an informal poll that wasn't announced to decide direction. The president shouldn't be reaching out to VMs of his choosing to solicit opinions, either it's a matter for the VMs, or it isn't.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Vlad, after reading all other related posts, I think, here is the essence of what happened: you contacted various voting members... These are the key words.

This is exactly what you shouldn't do in this situation according to the bylaws. Instead you should call for Executive vote on this matter.

Five percent of the voting members can call a special meeting on some issue if this is their initiative. In this case, they shouldn't be involved, and even shouldn't be informed about the matter - at least until Executives would make their vote.

You are just so wrong. Show me in the articles where the board has the right to fill the board position. That is what the NFP act requires. Here are the articles. The bylaw for officers refers to general officers and not members of the board unless you are believing that the board can remove someone with a simple majority vote from the board of directors. We have in our handbook policies that the president fills vacancies on the board. We have in our bylaws that the board can appoint officers but we really don't have any authorization for replacement except through an election unless you are trying to stretch words beyond their first intention.


https://www.upcounsel.com/corporate-officer-definition
Overview of Corporate Officers Corporate officers are high-level management executives hired by the business's owner or board of directors. Examples include the organization's chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), treasurer, president, vice president, and secretary. Officers can also be shareholders and directors but don't necessarily have to be. They have the authority to act on behalf of the corporation, including contract authority. A corporation can have any number of officers and an individual can hold any number of offices. In fact, in small corporations, the same person may hold every office.
An officer can be terminated by the board of directors at any time, though whether it must be done for cause and the number of votes needed for removal vary depending on company bylaws. If an officer resigns, the company is still responsible for prior contractual obligations entered into by that person.





SCHEDULE A

Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (NFP Act)

Form 4031 - Articles of Continuance (transition)

To be used only for a continuance from the Canada Corporations Act, Part II.

1. Current name of the corporation
THE CHESS FEDERATION OF CANADA
LA FEDERATION CANADIENNE DES ECHECS

2. If a change of name is requested, indicate proposed corporate name

3. Corporation number
0159794

4. The province or territory in Canada where the registered office is situated
ONTARIO

5. Minimum and maximum number of directors (for a fixed number, indicate the same number in both boxes)
Minimum number 3
Maximum number 10

6. Statement of the purpose of the corporation
The purpose(s) of the corporation is:

To promote and encourage generally in Canada, the knowledge, study and playing of the game of chess, and to this end, and without restricting the generality of the foregoing.

1. TO promote the formation and development of a Provincial Association, in each Province of Canada, where such Association does not presently exist, and to this end, to cooperate with existing clubs and leagues within such Province;

2. TO cooperate with existing Provincial Associations, in all matters pertaining to the development of organized chess within their Province, and to this end to encourage matches, tournaments, competitions, correspondence or telegraphic or radio matches, at all levels in Canada, and simultaneous, blindfold or other displays by chess masters;

3. TO maintain appropriate affiliation with the international chess organization, known as the Fédération International des Echecs, hereinafter referred to as FIDE;

4. TO publish and maintain the Laws of Chess in Canada, consonant with any decisions in such matters published by FIDE, and the Rules and Regulations (excepting local Rules and Regulations not in conflict with them) governing chess competitions held under the auspices of the Federation, or any of its affiliates, or its authorized appointees;

5. TO protect and foster the interests of Canadian Chess players, as far as possible, in the field of national and international chess competition;

6. TO encourage with all means within its power, and at its discretion, the publication of a medium from which chess players may learn of the progress of chess in Canada, and which will be the official organ of the Federation for the publication of its decisions;

7. TO raise funds in such a manner and to such an extent as it may deem necessary or desirable, to enable it to carry out its objectives;

8. TO expend any funds in its possession or under its control, in any manner or degree, in its entire discretion, for the furtherance of the general objectives of the Federation;

9. TO establish and maintain, in co-operation with its membership, a rating system, which shall constitute an official record from time to time, of relative chess ability throughout Canada.

7. Restrictions on the activities that the corporation may carry on, if any
None

8. The classes, or regional or other groups, of members that the corporation is authorized to establish
The corporation is authorized to establish Class A members and Class B members as follows:

The Class A members shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend all meetings of the members of the Corporation and each Class A member shall have one (1) vote at each such meeting, except for meetings at which only members of another class are entitled to vote separately as a class.
Except as otherwise provided by the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, S.C. 2009, c.23 the Class B members shall not be entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at meetings of the members of the Corporation.

9. Statement regarding the distribution of property remaining on liquidation
Any property remaining on liquidation of the Corporation, after discharge of liabilities, shall be distributed to one or more qualified donees within the meaning of subsection 248(1) of the Income Tax Act.

10. Additional provisions, if any
See schedule 1

11. Declaration
I hereby certify that I am a director or an authorized officer of the corporation continuing into the NFP Act.

[Lyle Craver]

To Sasha - I very much agree that the FIDE Rep position is definitely important as are the other CFC Executive roles.

That said we do have rules on how these positions are elected and they are different for AGM vs by-elections. If there is an appetite by the Assembly to change these rules then by all means let's do what's required to change them.

But no - I do NOT agree that it is legitimate to change the AGM procedure or the by-election on the fly without following the approved amending formula. Members deserve certainty and I do believe the current formula also does not strap them into a permanently unchangeable framework that's unamendable. A constitution's whole reason for existence is to facilitate the goals that the members believe the society is created to achieve - it is NOT to be an ironclad suit of armor. I further don't believe the FIDE Rep position is uniquely of special importance vs the rest of the Executive. The Chess Federation of Canada exists for a stated purpose that our members agree on and where the situation is deemed by us to have changed to the extent we need new rules it's our right and our duty to make those changes to insure we have the governance tools to accomplish what we're here for.

Again our bylaws are definitely amendable though not EASILY amendable which I think is totally in line with what constitutional documents are expected to be. OUR constitution is by no means perfect but I've seen several far worse than ours even though I have strong reservations about our current document particularly with respect to the changes wrought due to the 2014 when the mandate was CLEARLY to make MINIMAL changes to our bylaws to comply with the new Act and instead we got several changes that went well beyond what was needed for strict NFP Act compliance.

If I go any further I'm going to get into a Political Science lecture which is probably not what all of us need right now! :)

[Victor Itkin]

You are just so wrong. Show me in the articles where the board has the right to fill the board position. That is what the NFP act requires. Here are the articles. The bylaw for officers refers to general officers and not members of the board unless you are believing that the board can remove someone with a simple majority vote from the board of directors. We have in our handbook policies that the president fills vacancies on the board. We have in our bylaws that the board can appoint officers but we really don't have any authorization for replacement except through an election unless you are trying to stretch words beyond their first intention.


https://www.upcounsel.com/corporate-officer-definition
Overview of Corporate Officers Corporate officers are high-level management executives hired by the business's owner or board of directors. Examples include the organization's chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), treasurer, president, vice president, and secretary. Officers can also be shareholders and directors but don't necessarily have to be. They have the authority to act on behalf of the corporation, including contract authority. A corporation can have any number of officers and an individual can hold any number of offices. In fact, in small corporations, the same person may hold every office.
An officer can be terminated by the board of directors at any time, though whether it must be done for cause and the number of votes needed for removal vary depending on company bylaws. If an officer resigns, the company is still responsible for prior contractual obligations entered into by that person.





SCHEDULE A

Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (NFP Act)

Form 4031 - Articles of Continuance (transition)

To be used only for a continuance from the Canada Corporations Act, Part II.

1. Current name of the corporation
THE CHESS FEDERATION OF CANADA
LA FEDERATION CANADIENNE DES ECHECS

2. If a change of name is requested, indicate proposed corporate name

3. Corporation number
0159794

4. The province or territory in Canada where the registered office is situated
ONTARIO

5. Minimum and maximum number of directors (for a fixed number, indicate the same number in both boxes)
Minimum number 3
Maximum number 10

6. Statement of the purpose of the corporation
The purpose(s) of the corporation is:

To promote and encourage generally in Canada, the knowledge, study and playing of the game of chess, and to this end, and without restricting the generality of the foregoing.

1. TO promote the formation and development of a Provincial Association, in each Province of Canada, where such Association does not presently exist, and to this end, to cooperate with existing clubs and leagues within such Province;

2. TO cooperate with existing Provincial Associations, in all matters pertaining to the development of organized chess within their Province, and to this end to encourage matches, tournaments, competitions, correspondence or telegraphic or radio matches, at all levels in Canada, and simultaneous, blindfold or other displays by chess masters;

3. TO maintain appropriate affiliation with the international chess organization, known as the Fédération International des Echecs, hereinafter referred to as FIDE;

4. TO publish and maintain the Laws of Chess in Canada, consonant with any decisions in such matters published by FIDE, and the Rules and Regulations (excepting local Rules and Regulations not in conflict with them) governing chess competitions held under the auspices of the Federation, or any of its affiliates, or its authorized appointees;

5. TO protect and foster the interests of Canadian Chess players, as far as possible, in the field of national and international chess competition;

6. TO encourage with all means within its power, and at its discretion, the publication of a medium from which chess players may learn of the progress of chess in Canada, and which will be the official organ of the Federation for the publication of its decisions;

7. TO raise funds in such a manner and to such an extent as it may deem necessary or desirable, to enable it to carry out its objectives;

8. TO expend any funds in its possession or under its control, in any manner or degree, in its entire discretion, for the furtherance of the general objectives of the Federation;

9. TO establish and maintain, in co-operation with its membership, a rating system, which shall constitute an official record from time to time, of relative chess ability throughout Canada.

7. Restrictions on the activities that the corporation may carry on, if any
None

8. The classes, or regional or other groups, of members that the corporation is authorized to establish
The corporation is authorized to establish Class A members and Class B members as follows:

The Class A members shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend all meetings of the members of the Corporation and each Class A member shall have one (1) vote at each such meeting, except for meetings at which only members of another class are entitled to vote separately as a class.
Except as otherwise provided by the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, S.C. 2009, c.23 the Class B members shall not be entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at meetings of the members of the Corporation.

9. Statement regarding the distribution of property remaining on liquidation
Any property remaining on liquidation of the Corporation, after discharge of liabilities, shall be distributed to one or more qualified donees within the meaning of subsection 248(1) of the Income Tax Act.

10. Additional provisions, if any
See schedule 1

11. Declaration
I hereby certify that I am a director or an authorized officer of the corporation continuing into the NFP Act.

I rely on Lyle Craver's assessment on this matter:

- our bylaws say very clearly how a resigned director is to be replaced and that the method chosen does not follow those.

[Pierre Dénommée]

You are just so wrong. Show me in the articles where the board has the right to fill the board position. That is what the NFP act requires. Here are the articles. The bylaw for officers refers to general officers and not members of the board unless you are believing that the board can remove someone with a simple majority vote from the board of directors. We have in our handbook policies that the president fills vacancies on the board. We have in our bylaws that the board can appoint officers but we really don't have any authorization for replacement except through an election unless you are trying to stretch words beyond their first intention.


https://www.upcounsel.com/corporate-officer-definition
Overview of Corporate Officers Corporate officers are high-level management executives hired by the business's owner or board of directors. Examples include the organization's chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), treasurer, president, vice president, and secretary. Officers can also be shareholders and directors but don't necessarily have to be. They have the authority to act on behalf of the corporation, including contract authority. A corporation can have any number of officers and an individual can hold any number of offices. In fact, in small corporations, the same person may hold every office.
An officer can be terminated by the board of directors at any time, though whether it must be done for cause and the number of votes needed for removal vary depending on company bylaws. If an officer resigns, the company is still responsible for prior contractual obligations entered into by that person.




The power to fill vacancies in the board of directors is in the Law, it shouldn't be in the Articles of Incorporation or in the Bylaws. With a bylaw, the VM can revoke the board of directors the power to fill vacancies.

The site that you are citing is specific to US for profit corporations and has no effect in Canada.



132 (1) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), a quorum of directors may fill a vacancy among the directors, except a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number or the minimum or maximum number of directors provided for in the articles or a failure to elect the number or minimum number of directors provided for in the articles.

Member filling vacancy

(5) The by-laws may provide that a vacancy among the directors shall be filled only by a vote of the members, or by a vote of the members of any class or group having an exclusive right to elect one or more directors if the vacancy occurs among the directors elected by that class or group.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

A vacancy created by the removal of a director of a CNCA corporation may be filled at the meeting of the members at which the director is removed or, if not so filled, may be filled by the remaining directors. Generally, a quorum of directors may fill a board vacancy, except where the vacancy results from an increase in the number of directors provided for in the articles or a failure to elect the number of directors provided for in the articles. Such vacancies must be filled by the members at a special meeting.

This situation did not fill the requirement for the directors to fill the spot as loss of the FIDE rep did not drop the number below the number of directors in the articles which is between 3 and 10. The number dropped to six. I realized that the language would make an appointment to the board murky.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

The power to fill vacancies in the board of directors is in the Law, it shouldn't be in the Articles of Incorporation or in the Bylaws. With a bylaw, the VM can revoke the board of directors the power to fill vacancies.

The site that you are citing is specific to US for profit corporations and has no effect in Canada.

Miller Thomson is a Canadian firm. The second quote is from the Canadian government.

It says that power has to be specified in the articles. It is not specified in the articles. Hence the right way forward is to call a special meeting of the members.

[Sasha Starr]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a very entertaining discussion on the rules to replace resigned executive, however now it is too little too late, the Gin is out of the bottle.
Maybe Hal Bond should have find out first which rules ought to be used. Who knows, maybe he would have postponed his resignation?
However now please get all your courage, bite the bullet and just VOTE.

Dear executives, please enlighten us regarding who is the best candidate in your opinion!

Sasha Starr, VM.

[Jeremy Clark]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a very entertaining discussion on the rules to replace resigned executive, however now it is too little too late, the Gin is out of the bottle.
Maybe Hal Bond should have find out first which rules ought to be used. Who knows, maybe he would have postponed his resignation?
However now please get all your courage, bite the bullet and just VOTE.

Dear executives, please enlighten us regarding who is the best candidate in your opinion!

Sasha Starr, VM.

If rules weren't followed and there is a mechanism to go back and ensure they are, then it should be taken.

[Pierre Dénommée]

A vacancy created by the removal of a director of a CNCA corporation may be filled at the meeting of the members at which the director is removed or, if not so filled, may be filled by the remaining directors. Generally, a quorum of directors may fill a board vacancy, except where the vacancy results from an increase in the number of directors provided for in the articles or a failure to elect the number of directors provided for in the articles. Such vacancies must be filled by the members at a special meeting.

This situation did not fill the requirement for the directors to fill the spot as loss of the FIDE rep did not drop the number below the number of directors in the articles which is between 3 and 10. The number dropped to six. I realized that the language would make an appointment to the board murky.


Irrelevant because no director has been removed. A removal is a termination by the VM. A resignation is not a removal.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

You received a response from me on the voting members forum



There was no interference from the executive. Hal Bond's decision was appealed to the board of directors. It is not interference when it is your job to decide on the case.

The board of directors is the ultimate appeal court within the CFC unless or until you go to FIDE or an actual court of law.

There was a way for the case to go forward without the CFC's approval by applying directly to FIDE. A successful application after we refused would make us look very bad. We would appear to be working to block the advance of a francophone woman. Not a good look for us. I am not afraid of a fight on social media but I would not touch this kind of stinky meat case with a ten foot pole and try to defend it. And my duty would be to publicly defend it.

I am not afraid to look bad to whoever has to thwart certain people because they are afraid to sign their name and hope the CFC will do their dirty work for them. Dealing a jack from the back of the pack, they said you lose again (am I going to be the only one who knows that reference?). Cue line from "The Usual Suspects". If this application fails I take the hit and the new FIDE rep gets to say it was that darn president, what can I do?

The FQE also asked us to look at this and make the right judgment based on the rules as written and not as some individual on the arbiters commission might have wished the rule was written.

Make no mistake, this would have ended up in a court of law where the letter of the FIDE rule, with every modifying comma significant in whether we were engaged in discrimination.

In all such cases we need to refrain from a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict. A successful application means more competition for the person making the decision and the members of the arbiters commission working towards dismissal of this application at the CFC level. Add in the clear animosity angle and this is not a hill that I would be willing to die on and for. If it is a bad application reject it and blame that idiot Vlad Drkulec and the board members who can read English and see that the application well may succeed and who don't see success as some kind of threat. Think of every arbiter as an element of our infrastructure. We need more of them. We need more women arbiters so young girls can see that this is a reasonable activity for them to engage in.

There are many aspects of this case which are troubling from the point of view of the executive. The application was clearly marked pending time served or some such at the very top. We were provided with the FIDE statute which may be poorly written but we read the rule as written and it seemed that we should not be acting as a gatekeeper to prevent a Canadian from advancing, particularly a Canadian woman when I had just attended a seminar by the Canadian Olympic Committee on the best practices for non-profit NSO's required if we wanted to stay in the good graces of the IOC and the COC. A court case would hang on the rules as written which everyone admits (even the people on the arbiters commission) are badly written. The IOC and by delegation the COC had mandated that we integrate more women into the ranks of referees, umpires, line judges for the other sports and arbiters for chess.

I submit that the two IAs, two or three NAs, on the board came to the conclusion that their conscience guided them towards.

If some guy on the arbiters commission doesn't like it, blame it on Canada.

It is very rarely that I can work in references to Al Stewart, The Usual Suspects, and South Park into one post.

Vlad, I think we have discussed many of these points during the "appeal". Looking back I have also wrote to directors that handling of the "appeal" was way improper. (Learnt a lot since then.)

I don't wanna to dissect again but this:



[B]The FQE also asked us to look at this and make the right judgment based on the rules as written and not as some individual on the arbiters commission might have wished the rule was written.[B]


Do you think that a little bit the influence and a release of confidential information?

What about the request of other opinions during the debate? What have you told?

Also, throwing by you the discrimination argument in the debate...

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a very entertaining discussion on the rules to replace resigned executive, however now it is too little too late, the Gin is out of the bottle.
Maybe Hal Bond should have find out first which rules ought to be used. Who knows, maybe he would have postponed his resignation?
However now please get all your courage, bite the bullet and just VOTE.

Dear executives, please enlighten us regarding who is the best candidate in your opinion!

Sasha Starr, VM.

I believe that Victor Plotkin is a good candidate but Vadim Tsypin is a great candidate. Vadim has a very ambitious platform which will transform our relationship to FIDE. I believe that there have been years of neglect of the relationship with FIDE which was reflected by the regular disrespect which we suffered in several incidents over the years and past months which I will not belabour.

The good news is that we are at a unique moment where we can be embraced by FIDE. Vadim is very highly regarded at FIDE and being the CFC delegate to FIDE will put the icing on the cake. To presume that having two people at FIDE will be an advantage is a bit naive. Two people would slow Vadim down and it would weaken the incentive for FIDE to grant their help as readily. Even if Vadim could enthusiastically continue to support the CFC, they would say, "Vadim, get real. These Canadians rejected you and slapped away the hand of friendship that we have extended them. There are so many other countries who don't bite the hand that feeds them. Lets attend to them first."

I am getting a steady stream of endorsements of Vadim by email, on facebook and elsewhere from high FIDE officials. Not electing him will be perceived as a bit of a thumb in the eye to FIDE not unlike what they experienced fairly regularly with Hal Bond. My suggestion if you want two people working at FIDE that you elect Vadim and then have Victor apprentice with Vadim as our masters representative. I already have an interesting project which they can work on regarding a cooperation with setting up several championship series between Canada with CIS Countries, namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. I have not had the chance to discuss this with Vadim but it seems very promising for our Canadian players.

If there is any doubt, I am supporting Vadim in this election. I am supporting adding Patricia to the board.

[Victor Plotkin]

I have read this complete thread (at least twice and some places several times - and again, in my view, Vadim does not have a "conflict of interest" if elected). I have also read Aris's resignation e-mail. As I stated earlier, I have indicated that I supported Vadim, at least until my mind was changed by other submissions. First, I regret that Aris has resigned as he was obviously an excellent candidate however I understand his reasoning. We have two "very" strong candidates remaining for the position sought. I'm certain that I don't need to remind everyone that the most important issue here is the "long-term benefit to the CFC", not-withstanding that we have two able candidates. Aris brings up strong points where I would appreciate the candidates comments on a couple of questions which, for me will likely decide my final vote. I am hopeful that these questions will also assist the Directors to arrive at an informed final decision. I'm not looking for a long-winded explanation, but sufficient information to explain your position:

1) There is a saying that there is "strength in numbers". In other words, would it be of benefit or a detriment to the CFC to have Vadim in his current position and Victor as CFC Representative or is it of greater benefit to the CFC to have Vadim filing both his current FIDE position and CFC representative ?

2) Can and would both Candidates work together for the benefit of the CFC if Victor was elected ?

3) Vadim, of what I've read, I understand that there is a concern that as an employee of FIDE, if there was a situation which may be averse to the CFC but of corresponding benefit to FIDE, that you would be caught in a quandary where you may not be in a position to support the CFC. I would be interested in your comment.

4) Victor, Vadim has a strong relationship with Dvorkovich which should also be of great benefit to the CFC Representative for "getting things done". I note that in your presentation, that you have not always agreed with Dvorkovich's position and policies. In my view, it will be very important for the CFC Representative to have a cordial relationship with the President of FIDE. Can you please comment.

Of course, it is up to either or both of you to decide whether to respond to these questions however I am hopeful that you will as I am frankly uncertain of my vote at this point.

Lloyd

I would like to answer the questions from Lloyd's post, 2 and 4.

2. As I posted in my platform (at the very beginning of this thread) "If elected, I will not hesitate to ask for help and advice from Vadim Tsypin (who is very close to the current FIDE leadership) in certain situations." I don't like Sasha Starr's interpretation of what I am saying, I will not heavily rely on him in my contact with the FIDE if elected. I respect Vadim's dedication to Canadian chess and I am pretty positive that we will be able to build a positive relationship, even after this election campaign.

4. As I mentioned in my platform, I predicted Dvorkovich's election victory and was overall pleased with this result. I fully understand the importance of a strong relationship with the FIDE and will do my best to achieve this. At the same time, this doesn't mean that I will automatically support all of Dvorkovich's decisions.

My concern is that if Vadim wins this election, the CFC's support for every decision made by Dvorkovich will be guaranteed, and we will lose our independence; we are already heading in this direction. Vlad Drkulec has provided several non-Canadian endorsements for Vadim, which I think are not only completely irrelevant, but also counter-productive. Every independent country should reject foreign influences on any elections, including that of the CFC.

[Pierre Dénommée]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a very entertaining discussion on the rules to replace resigned executive, however now it is too little too late, the Gin is out of the bottle.
Maybe Hal Bond should have find out first which rules ought to be used. Who knows, maybe he would have postponed his resignation?
However now please get all your courage, bite the bullet and just VOTE.



Agreed! We should all vote for FIDE Representative. This is no doubt that this vote is apparently legal. The Executive may have filled the vacancy, but they are not obligated to do so. Maybe this motion could have been worded in a better way. We are doing what VM should do: elect directors.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

At various times the executive put forward several measures including one that would have split the job of FIDE rep between Hal Bond and Aris Marghetis and required a change of bylaw without explicitly changing the bylaw. This could not be done without going to the voting members for approval.

Vlad, it was you who presented almost the same questions to directors as you used in the poll later. The directors were working things out at their pace, and reached the agreement. Formally, I submitted the motion for approval to transform the discussion to the material. You can continue how things were bulldozed by you since then.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

From my earlier post:

The position of FIDE representative is of such importance, directly affecting so many Canadiens - players, arbiters, etc., that it is much better to have as wide body of CFC Members as possible to participate in the decision making process. If true, then Voting Members' Assembly is much more representative body then six executives. Most of them don't have any experience in the International Chess politics anyway.

Sasha Starr, VM.

Are you suggesting that the next time any decision or appeal shall be discussed as openly as possible by Voting members as well?

If you don't trust as a voting member your elected directors (Executives), then you shall move forward with appropriate motions.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

The issue in the post you quoted isn't involving the VMs, it's contacting a subset of them to ask their opinion, followed by an informal poll that wasn't announced to decide direction. The president shouldn't be reaching out to VMs of his choosing to solicit opinions, either it's a matter for the VMs, or it isn't.

Clark, the poll was posted without any initial information to directors, whom were discussing the matter and coming to the conclusion.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

You are just so wrong. Show me in the articles where the board has the right to fill the board position. That is what the NFP act requires. Here are the articles. The bylaw for officers refers to general officers and not members of the board unless you are believing that the board can remove someone with a simple majority vote from the board of directors. We have in our handbook policies that the president fills vacancies on the board. We have in our bylaws that the board can appoint officers but we really don't have any authorization for replacement except through an election unless you are trying to stretch words beyond their first intention.


Vlad, you see how much confusion is in the interpretation of the fundamental Articles and By-Laws. Throw in the legacy Handbook and we're will discuss till the end of the world.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Vlad, it was you who presented almost the same questions to directors as you used in the poll later. The directors were working things out at their pace, and reached the agreement. Formally, I submitted the motion for approval to transform the discussion to the material. You can continue how things were bulldozed by you since then.

And the first vote of the directors liked option 5 which was the suggested option provided by Hal Bond in his resignation letter of Hal Bond continuing as Zone president and Aris taking the FIDE rep position. This had enough votes to pass without my input. This required the voting members to approve the change in bylaw. I believe the result was 4-1-1 with me not expressing an opinion and you opposed. This necessitated talking to the voting members. And so we got on that train and it rolled down the tracks and we got to this spot we are in now. It was the first vote. It would be binding on me. It required approval of the voting members. I sought that approval. Voting members started contacting me because Hal contacted them in some cases. If you want to blame someone for Pandora's box, perhaps you can talk to Hal Bond. And don't give me any more canard about board confidentiality. As soon as you raise the matter outside of the board you pierce confidentiality. I am just responding to what you wrote.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

I rely on Lyle Craver's assessment on this matter:

- our bylaws say very clearly how a resigned director is to be replaced and that the method chosen does not follow those.

Then it should be easy to point exactly where in the bylaw it says that.

Egis was very adamant that it should say director and not officer or it means the person is not a director.

We can appoint two directors. The most democratic way forward was to consult the voting members, particularly when the option that had the votes required a change of bylaw.

Checkmate.

[Aris Marghetis]

... If you want to blame someone for Pandora's box, perhaps you can talk to Hal Bond. ...

Seriously people, could we be any more ineffective (angry sarcasm) than blaming someone who RESIGNED?

[Sasha Starr]

This is what I've published earlier:

"Originally Posted by Sasha Starr

I've been accused already by a few VMs of attacking fellows VMs etc. for disagreeing with me. I've never had any such intentions.
In fact all this affair is hardly passing a smell test. Hal's resignation letter, an attempt to make Aris his heir, a race between Aris and Vadim, then Victor is getting there and Aris resigning...

However let me reiterate where I stand without attacking anybody:

Vadim's background in chess governance, including being a core member of the new FIDE management team since the 2018 FIDE elections, makes him the best candidate for this position. Only Vadim will be able to open the door wide for Canada into world chess and to bring exciting opportunities for Canadian players, coaches, and organizers. His campaign already has widespread support in all provinces and has been endorsed by well-respected chess professionals on the CFC site and in social media.

Victor Plotkin is in the right spot as the Men's team Captain, his skills set is good for that. Were he to be elected Canada delegate, he would become one of 195 mostly nameless delegates who stand in line with empty hands for four years in a row and are never given anything for their countries apart from an offer or two during the FIDE election year. Realistically, with Victor the delegate Canada will always be behind Kosovo, Burkina Faso or Venezuela in access to any FIDE help. Victor is on record in his electoral program stating that if he were elected, he would rely on Vadim Tsypin and would seek his help dealing with FIDE. Doesn't this tell you everything? Why have a second-hand article when you can own a genuine item?!

Vadim is already at the FIDE's highest table where all important issues - budgets, event bids, regulations - are decided upon. Shall not Canada literally leap at this chance and embrace Vadim as its most capable advocate (see: China WCCC letter, disabled player transfer, Para Olympiad, wild card in World Youth Online, all-expense-paid trip for young players to the Vladimir Dvorkovich Cup, etc.) ?!

I understand the tribalism in political process, and chess is no exception. And if there were two approximately equally qualified candidates either choice is OK. But today's situation is not the case...
Our choice without tribalism issues is an easy one!"

Sasha Starr, VM.

[Sasha Starr]

And now let me add the following.

To voice a number of concerns, the FIDE's hierarchy is rather entrenched, and how would one candidate made any headway at all when the other candidate is already a part of the Fide Presidential team?

Despite all the dummies being floated out by the many-headed re. the 'advantages' of two Canadians at Fide, any Russian schoolboy will tell you nature abhors two centres of power!

It would have been gracious of the other candidate if he could have stated his platform and cleanly addressed all these rumours and innuendos which are nauseating to say the least. And just to remind: please watch this broadcast.:

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

Maybe the candidate who was invited on this show but refused to participate on the ground that he is not prepared to debate one on one with the other candidate will finally see how futile his attempt to get elected as a CFC FIDE Representative really is...

[Victor Itkin]

This is what I've published earlier:

"Originally Posted by Sasha Starr View Post

I've been accused already by a few VMs of attacking fellows VMs etc. for disagreeing with me. I've never had any such intentions.
In fact all this affair is hardly passing a smell test. Hal's resignation letter, an attempt to make Aris his heir, a race between Aris and Vadim, then Victor is getting there and Aris resigning...

However let me reiterate where I stand without attacking anybody:

Vadim's background in chess governance, including being a core member of the new FIDE management team since the 2018 FIDE elections, makes him the best candidate for this position. Only Vadim will be able to open the door wide for Canada into world chess and to bring exciting opportunities for Canadian players, coaches, and organizers. His campaign already has widespread support in all provinces and has been endorsed by well-respected chess professionals on the CFC site and in social media.

Victor Plotkin is in the right spot as the Men's team Captain, his skills set is good for that. Were he to be elected Canada delegate, he would become one of 195 mostly nameless delegates who stand in line with empty hands for four years in a row and are never given anything for their countries apart from an offer or two during the FIDE election year. Realistically, with Victor the delegate Canada will always be behind Kosovo, Burkina Faso or Venezuela in access to any FIDE help. Victor is on record in his electoral program stating that if he were elected, he would rely on Vadim Tsypin and would seek his help dealing with FIDE. Doesn't this tell you everything? Why have a second-hand article when you can own a genuine item?!

Vadim is already at the FIDE's highest table where all important issues - budgets, event bids, regulations - are decided upon. Shall not Canada literally leap at this chance and embrace Vadim as its most capable advocate (see: China WCCC letter, disabled player transfer, Para Olympiad, wild card in World Youth Online, all-expense-paid trip for young players to the Vladimir Dvorkovich Cup, etc.) ?!

I understand the tribalism in political process, and chess is no exception. And if there were two approximately equally qualified candidates either choice is OK. But today's situation is not the case...
Our choice without tribalism issues is an easy one!"

Sasha Starr, VM.

We've all read this before. As lawyers like to say, repeating your argument over and over won't make it stronger.

[Lyle Craver]

No Vlad, the most democratic scenario is that we (meaning the Voting Member assembly and the Executive which very definitely includes YOU) should follow our rules exactly as they stand and if it is desired to amend them, make the steps to begin to do so.

Contrary to what you might think I am not unalterably opposed to amendments though I strongly believe the ENTIRE Assembly has the right to be informed that such a process is going on and to know beyond any doubt that their participation is both welcome and sought. Basing a meeting call on an unadvertised forum vote was unfair to all VMs and should never ever again be taken as an excuse for a Special meeting. Either ALL of us are welcome to participate and know our participation is welcome or the governance process by the Assembly ought not to be in session. Had you at any time sent a mass e-mail during the past 3-4 weeks saying "important business is taking place in the VM Discussion room and your attention is urgently desired" I would not be saying what I am saying now.

As for Pierre's suggestion that the Executive 'failed to fill the vacancy' the answer is obvious. The whole reason the Executive was not able to fill the vacancy was that while they very much wished to do so, the President declined to call the vote. By no means can it be fairly said that the board was unwilling or unable to actually take a vote on the FIDE Rep position. Every one of we six knows that though I very much understand that there are different views on why and how and whether it was proper.

[Lyle Craver]

Given that quite a few of us including myself had no knowledge that your show even existed until 10 days ago I am prepared to cut any candidate who got such an invite out of the blue a bit of slack.

Would YOU be eager to approach a tournament which your opponent had been invited months previously while you found out less than a week before? Maybe you would but many wouldn't.

[Lyle Craver]

Checkmate my heehaw.

The Assembly has the right to elect one new board member and may or may not choose to elect a second - which in any case is only until the AGM scheduled for August. By no means is elected two board members required.

[Victor Plotkin]

I am very sorry that Sasha Starr continues to provide incorrect interpretations of my words. As I explained to him more than once during our conversations, I did not agree to participate in a one-on-one discussion with Vadim only because of my concern that this discussion would deteriorate our relationship, which is not a desirable result, no matter the outcome of this election. To say that I was not prepared to debate is untrue, and intended to create an inaccurate impression of myself and display it to other voting members.

[Christopher Mallon]

My concern is that if Vadim wins this election, the CFC's support for every decision made by Dvorkovich will be guaranteed, and we will lose our independence; we are already heading in this direction. Vlad Drkulec has provided several non-Canadian endorsements for Vadim, which I think are not only completely irrelevant, but also counter-productive. Every independent country should reject foreign influences on any elections, including that of the CFC.

I agree, and also it's not like people all over the world are watching this forum to see what we are doing, which means he's asking for these endorsements. I don't like being told how to vote by other Canadians, and I certainly don't like being told how to vote by foreigners.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Show me where the rule says what you say it is saying. If I am wrong show me how I am wrong. I can paste the emails into the thread and everyone can decide if the vote was as I said it was. The votes are all next to each other in my inbox.

The excuse for the special meeting was the first vote of the executive for the splitting of the FIDE rep duties between Hal and Aris.

We could not do that without a bylaw change.

A bylaw change requires a meeting to stick.

Actually reading more carefully in the email options thread shows that Mark never commented in that particular sub-thread. I led the discussion and never commented on my vote but Egis came around to a split role with Aris as a director and Hal not as a director so the count was

4 (Egis, Christina, Lyle, Fred)-0-2 (Vlad, Mark) for-against-abstention or no comment for option 5.

[Sasha Starr]

Sorry, Victor, I've copied it because I've prepared a continuation. But you don't have to read it, of course!

[Fred McKim]

Show me where the rule says what you say it is saying. If I am wrong show me how I am wrong. I can paste the emails into the thread and everyone can decide if the vote was as I said it was. The votes are all next to each other in my inbox.

The excuse for the special meeting was the first vote of the executive for the splitting of the FIDE rep duties between Hal and Aris.

We could not do that without a bylaw change.

A bylaw change requires a meeting to stick.

Actually reading more carefully in the email options thread shows that Mark never commented in that particular sub-thread. I led the discussion and never commented on my vote but Egis came around to a split role with Aris as a director and Hal not as a director so the count was

4 (Egis, Christina, Lyle, Fred)-0-2 (Vlad, Mark) for-against-abstention or no comment for option 5.

I am only going by memory, but I seem to recall that it was very quickly established that Aris was fine filling the whole FIDE Rep position ............

[Sasha Starr]

I am very sorry that Sasha Starr continues to provide incorrect interpretations of my words. As I explained to him more than once during our conversations, I did not agree to participate in a one-on-one discussion with Vadim only because of my concern that this discussion would deteriorate our relationship, which is not a desirable result, no matter the outcome of this election. To say that I was not prepared to debate is untrue, and intended to create an inaccurate impression of myself and display it to other voting members.

Victor, let's set the record straight once and for all.

I've called to invite you to participate in the Saturday's IBM TV Chess Show. You told me that unless Aris would be there you decline to participate with Vadim only, one on one. I was surprised because in my opinion it is easier to have one opponent not two. When I've asked you to explain your position you told me that "this discussion would deteriorate our relationship". Fine, but the fact remains: you've refused to participate. So what is here untrue??? Please explain.

And, BTW, where is your so called "relationship" now?

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Email from Vladimir Drkulec
Responding to Email from Egis and copying the CFC Board of Directors

Sun 2021-01-24 1:49 AM

The resolution is not as of yet on the table. You are not presiding over this online email discussion. You do not get to determine the order of the discussion. There are resolutions that predate yours that are still on the table and have not been disposed of. Whatever the situation was before I was contacted by a number of influential voting members and they are now involved for good or ill.


To claim that I am breaching confidentiality of the board when I was simply trying to comply with Canadian law is not a good look on you. I did not go far enough upon further study of the law. I will remedy that tonight.

129(1) A director of a corporation ceases to hold office when the director dies, resigns, is removed in accordance with section 130 or becomes disqualified under section 126.


Effective date of resignation
(2)A resignation of a director becomes effective at the time a written resignation is sent to the corporation or at the time specified in the resignation, whichever is later.


Statement of director


131(1)Subject to the by-laws, a director is entitled to submit to the corporation a written statement giving reasons for resigning or for opposing the removal or replacement of the director if a meeting is called for that purpose.
Marginal note:Circulating statement
(2)A corporation shall immediately give notice to the members of the statement in the manner referred to in section 162.
Marginal note:Statement to Director
(3)A corporation shall immediately send a copy of the statement to the Director.
Marginal note:Immunity
(4) No corporation or person acting on its behalf incurs any liability by reason only of complying with this section.





Marginal note:Filling vacancy


132(1) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), a quorum of directors may fill a vacancy among the directors, except a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number or the minimum or maximum number of directors provided for in the articles or a failure to elect the number or minimum number of directors provided for in the articles.
Marginal note:Calling meeting
(2) If there is not a quorum of directors or if there has been a failure to elect the number or minimum number of directors provided for in the articles, the directors then in office shall without delay call a special meeting of members to fill the vacancy and, if they fail to call a meeting or if there are no directors then in office, the meeting may be called by any member.



Reading section 132 which appears to be poorly worded suggests that we may be required to hold a special meeting. I will probably consult Les and perhaps another lawyer for an opinion.


IF you persist in trying to impugn my integrity and claim that I breached ethics for simply trying to follow the statutory requirements to which we are all bound I will have to refer you to the voting members for disciplinary action. I would prefer not to do that.



I like Aris, and think he would be a great addition to the board but we do need to follow the letter of the law. We also need to follow the practical politics of the situation.


Haven't you breached Executive confidentiality by including Aris in this discussion by your logic, not mine.



The voting members have a right to know all of these details by statute. The voting members are the only authority who are above us in the corporate pecking order. Hal Bond's resignation is not a matter that we can simply pretend concerns only the board.



Is Hal Bond not still a voting member? It appears from the list of voting members that he is not. Did SWOCL not appoint him?



Hal Bond resigned three days ago. You seem to want to deal with this as if it were a trip to McDonalds.



I think maybe we should document this discussion to the executive forum rather than just email as it can get hard to follow all the follow ups. This will provide a cleaner timeline for this discussion.



Hal resigning has triggered a number of statutory requirements which I will have to deal with and which I have to deal with first before this discussion goes much further. I was not aware of them in full until XXXXXREDACTEDXXXXX started misinterpreting the provisions of the NFP Act in the voting members forum and so I looked once again at the provisions that are relevant.



I have to give notice to the Director which is presumably the Director of Corporations.

I will need everyone's contact information Address and Phone number and email address to provide an updated list to the Director.


I have published Hal Bond's letter on the voting members forum and I will send it out to the voting members. I am required to do this under Canadian law.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

And the first vote of the directors liked option 5 which was the suggested option provided by Hal Bond in his resignation letter of Hal Bond continuing as Zone president and Aris taking the FIDE rep position. This had enough votes to pass without my input. This required the voting members to approve the change in bylaw. I believe the result was 4-1-1 with me not expressing an opinion and you opposed..

Reading my emails, I don't see any vote. Only expressions for support for options and discussions, what evolved towards final 5 supports and 1 (yours) not expressed...

added text for clarity:

the final support was not for option 5 but towards no split, and appointing Aris for a FIDE rep as per By-Laws (no splitting anything)

[Vadim Tsypin]

Dear colleagues, honourable Voting Members:

During the four weeks of the election campaign I had the privilege to reach out, personally and in groups, to more than thirty of you via Zoom, WhatsApp, or phone, and to even more via e-mail. From sea to shining sea, from Charlottetown to Victoria, you kindly shared with me your concerns. Concerns about support for dues-paying rank and file members who play chess at a club level. Concerns about assistance to local organizers. Concerns about fairness in distribution of both CFC flagship events and other marquee events among four major geographical regions of our great country. I answered your questions, provided information and source materials. I was already able to help your important projects on some occasions.

My published program resonated with you, the voters, and with the CFC grassroots. I was humbled to be endorsed by three distinguished members of the Canadian Women’s Olympiad teams, by a captain of a Canadian team playing in the World Corporate Ch., by the best Head of Delegation our World Youth contingents ever knew. The people who are household names in the international chess politics: the former FIDE Vice-President, the former Honourary Chairman of the FIDE Trainers' Commission, a founder of the renowned University of Baltimore at Maryland Chess program, legendary GMs and others endorsed me on their Facebook, as did some young up-and-coming players whose first steps in chess I was fortunate to nurture a decade ago. I am grateful for your widespread support. I welcome all endorsements, public and private. I call upon every CFC member to join me under a big tent with the Maple Leaf proudly painted on the top.

There is such a wealth of talented, intelligent, hard-working people who devote their time to chess at scholastic, club, and elite levels! Together, united, with the help of FIDE and in partnership with our biggest ally the USCF and other national federations, we can usher in a new golden age for chess in Canada. There is a place for everyone - Aris, Victor, Hal, Mahmud, Egis – for everyone who loves Canadian chess and is willing to put their considerable talents to serve the game we love. Everyone is welcome to do what his skills set allows. I am a consensus builder. Let us combine our efforts and pull together for the prosperity of Canadian chess!

[Vladimir Drkulec]

I am only going by memory, but I seem to recall that it was very quickly established that Aris was fine filling the whole FIDE Rep position ............

Not before Option 5 had four votes

Fri 2021-01-22 12:08 AM Egis though deemed sketchy

Thu 2021-01-21 6:09 PM Lyle (presumably PST maybe EST)

Thu 2021-01-21 5:47 PM Christina

Thu 2021-01-21 5:32 PM Fred

Thu 2021-01-21 4:22 PM My original email Options to deal with Hal Bond's resignation

First phone call from voting member 2021-01-20
Tenth phone call from voting member 2021-01-21

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Not before Option 5 had four votes

Fri 2021-01-22 12:08 AM Egis though deemed sketchy

Thu 2021-01-21 6:09 PM Lyle (presumably PST maybe EST)

Thu 2021-01-21 5:47 PM Christina

Thu 2021-01-21 5:32 PM Fred

Thu 2021-01-21 4:22 PM My original email Options to deal with Hal Bond's resignation

So you treat opinions as votes?

[Victor Itkin]

[QUOTE=Vadim Tsypin;36654]Diana’s official FIDE card can be accessed here:
https://ratings.fide.com/profile/2631717

Vadim,

I looked at Diana's official FIDE card, link to which you kindly provided. As per your suggestion, I would like to ask Diana few questions directly.

Diana,

Your first arbiter title (FIDE ARBITER) was registered in FIDE in September 2018, very shortly after latest FIDE elections and after Vadim was invited to FIDE Management Board. My questions are:

- did you attempt to apply for this title before 2018?
- if not, what caused your decision to apply for it in 2018?
- was at that time (in 2018) your nomination for FIDE Arbiter Title smoothly approved by CFC Executive?

Sincerely,

Victor Itkin.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Good morning Victor,




Vadim,

I looked at Diana's official FIDE card, link to which you kindly provided. As per your suggestion, I would like to ask Diana few questions directly.

Diana,

Your first arbiter title (FIDE ARBITER) was registered in FIDE in September 2018, very shortly after latest FIDE elections and after Vadim was invited to FIDE Management Board. My questions are:

- did you attempt to apply for this title before 2018?
- if not, what caused your decision to apply for it in 2018?
- was at that time (in 2018) your nomination for FIDE Arbiter Title smoothly approved by CFC Executive?

Sincerely,

Victor Itkin.

As Mr. Mallon wrote so eloquently,

As a guess, I would say it was probably directed at you because she can't actually post here, not being a Voting Member.

Indeed, my dear wife, not being a VM, is not able to post here directly. I am pleased to reproduce her answer below.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Dear Mr. Itkin,

I appreciate your sudden interest in my chess career.

Your second “inquiry” contains errors in fact and in law. Moreover, it includes so-called “loaded questions”, i.e. those that contain implicit assumptions benefiting the questioner. The use of such questions is objectionable and/or restricted in any court of law or deposition process.

However, I am sure that, like all esteemed Forum users, you have noble intentions, and it is just your complete lack of knowledge about international chess and especially FIDE “B06. Regulations for the Titles of Arbiters” that motivated you. I am always glad to help people learn more about chess, so I am answering your questions below. This will be my last comment on these matters.




Diana,

Your first arbiter title (FIDE ARBITER) was registered in FIDE in September 2018, very shortly after latest FIDE elections and after Vadim was invited to FIDE Management Board.

1) The FIDE Elections took place on *October 03, 2018*.

2) The FIDE Management Board was constituted on *November 09, 2018*.

3) There is a prescribed period for all player/ arbiter / trainer applications. They have to be received at least thirty (30) days before the General Assembly session. To arrive in time for the September 2018 FIDE Congress, my application had to be delivered to FIDE no later than August, about two months before Mr. Dvorkovich’s triumphal electoral win. My FA application was approved by the previous FIDE administration led by Mr. Makropoulos. :-)



My questions are:

- did you attempt to apply for this title before 2018?
- if not, what caused your decision to apply for it in 2018?
- was at that time (in 2018) your nomination for FIDE Arbiter Title smoothly approved by CFC Executive?

Alas, these questions show complete lack of understanding how the arbiter title process works. Like players who need norms for an IM or GM titles, arbiters earn norms gradually over the years. It takes four distinct norms for an FA title and then four other, more complex, norms for an IA title.

A good place to start learning is

3. Requirements for the title of FIDE Arbiter.
All of the following:

3.1 Thorough knowledge of the Laws of Chess, the FIDE Regulations for chess competitions and the Swiss Pairing Systems.
3.2 Absolute objectivity, demonstrated at all times during his activity as an arbiter.
3.3 Sufficient knowledge of the at least one official FIDE language.
3.4 Skills to operate electronic clocks of different types and for different systems.
3.5 Experience as Arbiter in at least three (3) FIDE rated events (these can be either national or international) and attendance of at least one (1) FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar and successful passing (at least 80%) an examination test set up by the Arbiters Commission.
FIDE rated event valid for a norm is considered any tournament with minimum 10 players in case that it is played with Round Robin system, with minimum 6 players in case that it is played with Double Round Robin system and with minimum 20 players in case that it is played with Swiss system.
3.6 The title of the FIDE Arbiter for each of the IBCA, ICCD, IPCA shall each be equivalent to one FA norm.
3.7 For a candidate, being a match arbiter in an Olympiad is equivalent to one FA norm. No more than one such norm will be considered for the title.
3.8 Being Arbiter in any FIDE rated Rapid or Blitz events, with minimum thirty (30) players and nine (9) rounds, shall be equivalent to one (1) FA norm. No more than one such norm from Rapid or Blitz tournaments will be considered for the title.
3.9 Attendance of one (1) FIDE Arbiters Seminar and successful passing (at least 80%) an examination test set by the Arbiters Commission, shall be equivalent to one (1) FA norm. Not more than one (1) such norm will be considered for the title.
3.10 Applicants from federations which are unable to organize any tournaments valid for titles or rating, may be awarded the title on passing an examination set by the Arbiters’ Commission.

Several of my colleagues, respected International Arbiters, have writing privileges in your Forum. Mark Dutton, Stephen Wright, Aris Marghetis, Pierre Dénommée and the others would be able to educate you on this topic, should you be interested in joining our ranks and pursuing arbiters' titles and licenses,

Goodbye.

--
Diana Tsypina

[Vadim Tsypin]

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.

There is a wealth of opportunities out there. FIDE is the national federations' mentor, protector and benefactor.

Please see this short slide for the examples of multinational companies whose sponsorship money could be contributing to success and growth of your chess club, your coaching, your arbiter career, for IM and GM norms for your students, for paid travel opportunities for your students and yourselves.

472473

[Vadim Tsypin]

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.

There is a wealth of opportunities out there. FIDE is the national federations' mentor, protector and benefactor.

Please see this short slide for the examples of multinational companies whose sponsorship money could be contributing to success and growth of your chess club, your coaching, your arbiter career, for IM and GM norms for your students, for paid travel opportunities for your students and yourselves.

472

473

[Lyle Craver]

I concur with Egis' view - that these "votes" were expression of preference.

Apparently it is exceptionally dangerous these days to express an opinion as it will be interpreted as a vote even though no vote under our rules has been called. This includes both board e-mails and unadvertised online forum votes where no effort to ensure full participation has been made. Votes HERE matter because we have a formal procedure ("THE VOTING BOOTH" - and I specifically name all votes this way so no one is ever confused) and we actively solicit VM participation. This is not the same as a poll in a random forum thread that you may or may not be here for and if you ARE here you may or may not notice somebody's attached a poll to the thread.

Folks we've seen some pretty loosey goosey stuff here on what is and is not a vote and that's a rabbit hole we should not be going down.

[Victor Itkin]

Dear Mr. Itkin,

I appreciate your sudden interest in my chess career.

Your second “inquiry” contains errors in fact and in law. Moreover, it includes so-called “loaded questions”, i.e. those that contain implicit assumptions benefiting the questioner. The use of such questions is objectionable and/or restricted in any court of law or deposition process.

However, I am sure that, like all esteemed Forum users, you have noble intentions, and it is just your complete lack of knowledge about international chess and especially FIDE “B06. Regulations for the Titles of Arbiters” that motivated you. I am always glad to help people learn more about chess, so I am answering your questions below. This will be my last comment on these matters.



1) The FIDE Elections took place on *October 03, 2018*.

2) The FIDE Management Board was constituted on *November 09, 2018*.

3) There is a prescribed period for all player/ arbiter / trainer applications. They have to be received at least thirty (30) days before the General Assembly session. To arrive in time for the September 2018 FIDE Congress, my application had to be delivered to FIDE no later than August, about two months before Mr. Dvorkovich’s triumphal electoral win. My FA application was approved by the previous FIDE administration led by Mr. Makropoulos. :-)




Alas, these questions show complete lack of understanding how the arbiter title process works. Like players who need norms for an IM or GM titles, arbiters earn norms gradually over the years. It takes four distinct norms for an FA title and then four other, more complex, norms for an IA title.

A good place to start learning is


Several of my colleagues, respected International Arbiters, have writing privileges in your Forum. Mark Dutton, Stephen Wright, Aris Marghetis, Pierre Dénommée and the others would be able to educate you on this topic, should you be interested in joining our ranks and pursuing arbiters' titles and licenses,

Goodbye.

--
Diana Tsypina

Diana,

It was not my intention to offend you.

You are absolutely correct - I have no understanding how the arbiter title works. I am not a chess professional, just an amateur. I usually participate in chess related discussions only during the CFC meetings.

My true intention when asking you questions was to clarify reasons why did Hal Bond resign (which I still don't understand so far).

Also, I admit that it was my fault that I mixed up the FIDE election date. This was not intentional. When I googled "FIDE elections", the first phrase in the corresponding section of Wikipedia on this matter was: "In July 2018, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov was ousted as FIDE President, after having been in office for 23 years, since 1995". Based on this, I decided that the latest elections took place in July 2018. My mistake, and my apologies.

Thank you for answering my inaccurately formulated questions, and best regards.

Victor Itkin.

[Lyle Craver]

Actually I'm completely unimpressed with Diana's letter since it cites several people some but not all of whom are International Arbiters (which as an International Arbiter I can tell you does NOT make one an expert in parliamentary procedure) while including several who are not. That said I have a high regard for all those she names.

For the record the CFC has quite a few IAs amongst our membership and not surprisingly nowhere more so than the National Appeals Committee. Most of them are personal friends of mine.(Some I don't really know)

[Vadim Tsypin]

Actually I'm completely unimpressed with Diana's letter since it cites several people some but not all of whom are International Arbiters (which as an International Arbiter I can tell you does NOT make one an expert in parliamentary procedure) while including several who are not. That said I have a high regard for all those she names.

For the record the CFC has quite a few IAs amongst our membership and not surprisingly nowhere more so than the National Appeals Committee. Most of them are personal friends of mine.(Some I don't really know)

Dear Lyle,

It breaks my heart to realize that you are so disconnected from both international chess stage *and* your East Coast colleagues that you fail to recognize the names of four distinguished International Arbiters:




Several of my colleagues, respected International Arbiters, have writing privileges in your Forum. *Mark Dutton, Stephen Wright, Aris Marghetis, Pierre Dénommée* and the others would be able to educate you on this topic, should you be interested in joining our ranks and pursuing arbiters' titles and licenses,

Goodbye.

--
Diana Tsypina

I understand that you might not be at ease with technology either. Let me assist you and other readers.

Proceed to https://ratings.fide.com/.
Click on Advanced Search.
Select Canada - All - Intl. Arbiter
Click Search.
Enjoy and learn about 22 esteemed colleagues across Canada.

[Sasha Starr]

Getting a little bit disappointed with what's going on here.

1."My true intention when asking you questions was to clarify reasons why did Hal Bond resign (which I still don't understand so far)." From Victor Itkin's recent post. I thought Hal explained it in his resignation letter, but according to Victor's post he still doesn't understand why... Maybe executives could help us - for many years he was one of you!

2.Not impressed with Aris candidacy, waiting for Victor to declare himself as a third candidate, aborting his bid shortly thereafter while endorsing Victor? Is at a ploy to defeat Vadim, or what?

3.Vadim's experience, connections, communications skills making him far superior candidate. Victor could have tried his chances in the public appearance during the IBM TV chess show but declined. By watching this show it is easy to see why. What Victor could have done against such a polished professional as Vadim? Victor lucks knowledge, experience and much more to publicly debate Vadim.

4.I'm old enough to remember days of Prentice, Haily, Divinsky, knew all of them personally... They were all great people, but no one could be nearly as effective FIDE representative as Vadim.

5.By rejecting a clearly superior candidate CFC again is becoming a pariah in the civilized chess World. This story is already known outside of Canada. And you can cry 24 hours a day about CFC losing its independence etc. There are CFC executives at the helm for over 40 years(!) keeping CFC independent! Great! Even voting for Kirsan Ilyumzhinov against Garry Kasparov. For a few thousand dollars... Is that independence are you fighting for? Trying to extract a few hundred dollars here and there? OK, so a few people personally benefited by voting for Kirsan. But what about thousands of rank and file members, kids?

6.CFC is extremely lucky to have Vadim offering his Candidacy. If CFC will not choose him as a clearly superior candidate it will shoot itself in the leg. Obviously we should not do that!

[Sasha Starr]

And it is still not too late for Victor to revoke his candidacy.

[Victor Itkin]

All members on this Forum know that current CFC special meeting was called due to the early resignation of Hal Bond.

In response to my request, Diana and Vadim Tsypin kindly answered my questions, and expressed their point of view on this issue. I would like to thank them for doing that.

From the other side, we heard nothing from Hal Bond about reasons and details of his resignation (not counting one brief sentence in his resignation letter). To comprehend the truth, it is always important to hear the points of view of all sides.

Hal, I believe that the voting members are entitled to know more details about your resignation, and are interested to hear your point of view.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Hal, I believe that the voting members are entitled to know more details about your resignation, and are interested to hear your point of view.

He is not a voting member anymore. Thus, that shall be done in private.

[Pierre Dénommée]

Diana’s official FIDE card can be accessed here:
https://ratings.fide.com/profile/2631717

Vadim,

I looked at Diana's official FIDE card, link to which you kindly provided. As per your suggestion, I would like to ask Diana few questions directly.

Diana,

Your first arbiter title (FIDE ARBITER) was registered in FIDE in September 2018, very shortly after latest FIDE elections and after Vadim was invited to FIDE Management Board. My questions are:

- did you attempt to apply for this title before 2018?
- if not, what caused your decision to apply for it in 2018?
- was at that time (in 2018) your nomination for FIDE Arbiter Title smoothly approved by CFC Executive?

Sincerely,

Victor Itkin.

That is Ludicrous, Diana is highly qualified and her title predated Arkady election to the Presidency of FIDE.

I met personally, in Italy, the chairmen of the Arbiters' Commission at the time of Diana's application and he doesn't look like a person that you can bribe. He is a person of great integrity that would certainly oppose incompetent candidates. At the time of this applications, the IA title was granted by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Arbiters' Commission. Contrary to the Current FIDE Charter, the Non-Elected Commissions of this era did exercise real power. The old Presidential Board could only deliver IA title in clear cases with the consent of the Chairmen or the Arbiters' Commissions. So the FIDE leadership of that time cannot grant the IA title on his own to anybody.

[Victor Itkin]

That is Ludicrous, Diana is highly qualified and her title predated Arkady election to the Presidency of FIDE.

I met personally, in Italy, the chairmen of the Arbiters' Commission at the time of Diana's application and he doesn't look like a person that you can bribe. He is a person of great integrity that would certainly oppose incompetent candidates. At the time of this applications, the IA title was granted by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Arbiters' Commission. Contrary to the Current FIDE Charter, the Non-Elected Commissions of this era did exercise real power. The old Presidential Board could only deliver IA title in clear cases with the consent of the Chairmen or the Arbiters' Commissions. So the FIDE leadership of that time cannot grant the IA title on his own to anybody.

Pierre,

I already have admitted my mistake, and publicly apologised.

Sincerely,

Victor Itkin.

[Victor Itkin]

He is not a voting member anymore. Thus, that shall be done in private.

Diana Tsypina also is not a voting member, but she has found the way to answer questions and to provide her comments at this Forum.

Hal may do it similarly, if he is willing to do it at all.

[Christopher Field]

16.12 FIDE officials may not simultaneously hold another position within the organisation that creates a conflict of interest.
So it is obviously up to FIDE, not to you, to satisfy itself whether it's official could hold another position that indeed creates a conflict of interest.
Besides I'm curious what kind of conflict of interest could arise in the FIDE - CFC's relationship. Please explain. Provide an example.

please note , everyone: the possessive form of it is its .
it's means "it is" .

Chris Field

[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
471

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

In compliance with the election procedures published (http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/showthread.php?5572-Special-Meeting-of-Voting-Members-Sunday-February-21-to-Thursday-February-25&p=36016#post36016) 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.

My electoral platform in full is available here (http://www.chesscanada.info/forum/showthread.php?5605-CFC-FIDE-Representative-election-Feb-2021&p=36596#post36596). 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.

474

Among other pressing topics, we have discussed several issues regarding FIDE and its support for national federations that are among the key planks of my electoral platform. These programs may benefit directly each and every one of you, honourable Voting Members, benefit the cases you champion in chess. Please take a look and see for yourself how Vadim Tsypin is the best person to represent you in FIDE.

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

[Christopher Mallon]

2.Not impressed with Aris candidacy, waiting for Victor to declare himself as a third candidate, aborting his bid shortly thereafter while endorsing Victor? Is at a ploy to defeat Vadim, or what?


I take great exception to this offensive garbage. Aris has already told everyone why he pulled out, and they are certainly reasons that would cause many people to drop out of a race. I feel that you owe him an apology for this.



5.By rejecting a clearly superior candidate CFC again is becoming a pariah in the civilized chess World.


Well that's fairly dramatic. So what you're saying is that a vote for Victor is something like a vote for Kim Jung-Un? Because that's what comes to mind when we talk about pariahs and elections.

[Aris Marghetis]

I take great exception to this offensive garbage. Aris has already told everyone why he pulled out, and they are certainly reasons that would cause many people to drop out of a race. I feel that you owe him an apology for this.



Well that's fairly dramatic. So what you're saying is that a vote for Victor is something like a vote for Kim Jung-Un? Because that's what comes to mind when we talk about pariahs and elections.

Thank you Chris for your support.

[Victor Plotkin]

This morning, I got a call from my friend and long-time business partner. He is a Soviet Union CM that currently lives in St. Petersburg Russia. I have been friends with him since 1976. Currently, he is not an active chess player, however, occasionally plays blitz in St. Petersburg. He informed me that he recently got a very strange call from a well-known chess organizer named Vladimir Bykov (V.B).

V.B asked my friend whether he knew of me, and of course he answered yes, because we are long-time friends. Bykov informed my friend that Victor Plotkin is currently participating in a chess election in Canada against Vadim Tsypin. Bykov told my friend that "Vadim is a good guy and Victor Plotkin should step down from his candidacy." Some very influential people in the FIDE had asked Bykov to call my friend.

When my friend told me about the call between him and Bykov, I was very surprised. In Russia, calling someone and giving such a powerful message is a clear threat. After some hesitation, I decided to contact Emil Sutovsky, and I asked him for his advice regarding this information.

Here are the most important parts of our chat translated into English (it was in Russian, on Facebook Messenger):

V.P: Hello, Emil! I hope you remember me - we have interacted numerous times at Olympiads and in Gibraltar. I recall that in Canada's match against Israel, you beat Gerzhoy on the second board, in the Carro-Cann. The match ended with a score of 2-2.

E.S: Victor, of course I remember you, I also remember seeing you at Aeroflot Opens.

I explained the situation to him, he understood and took it very seriously. It was a priority for him to assure me that the FIDE is unrelated here.

V.P: Emil, there is no doubt in my mind that neither you, nor Dvorkovich, have any relation to this whatsoever. Rather, all I'm asking for is some advice, from friend to friend. I ask that you understand me correctly - what happened today was absolutely brutal for me to hear.

E.S: Why do you need to consider Bykov's opinion?

V.P: Of course, I have no intention of heeding his advice. But it is evident to me that Tsypin initiated this. This all seems somewhat disturbing, wouldn't you agree?

E.S: Certainly. Well, the question here is whether or not Tsypin crossed any lines, made any threats, or did anything of the sort.

He then asked me about my opinion on this election, my answer was that it is approximately equal at this point, because many players support me, but Tsypin has the support of the President and of some chess politicians.

E.S: I understand. Disregard this (Bykov's message). This most certainly doesn't improve his image. I can only reiterate that under no circumstances can we try to have an impact. And if anyone suggests this, it's a lie.

I thanked him for discussing this with me. Soon after, he asked about the reason behind Marghetis' resignation.

V.P: He did it in my favor, I want to emphasize that I did not initiate this, and had never asked him about it. Why? It seems that I, a more neutral candidate in this instance, was suitable, in his view. I am not an arbiter, I don't earn money from chess, and I am not looking for personal benefits from this position.

E.S: You are a surprisingly decent person for a candidate.

Sutovsky took this issue very seriously, and immediately informed the FIDE President, Arkady Dvorkovich. Very soon after this, Vlad Drkulec, Vadim Tsypin, and I received an official email from a FIDE lawyer stating:

"Dear colleagues. I am writing this letter on behalf of the FIDE President.

In connection with a number of questions that arise regarding the upcoming elections of Canada’s representative in FIDE, we would like to officially assure FIDE’s position.
FIDE always takes an absolutely neutral position on elections in any federation, considers elections to be the internal affair of each federation, and works equally fruitfully and constructively with any representative elected in the respective federation."

I do not know if Vadim crossed a line, and I don't have enough evidence to take this to court, nor do I have any intention of doing this as of now. Actually, I don't know Bykov at all, and likely, before last week, he was not aware of my existence either. The only person who could have initiated this chain of contacts is Tsypin, who tried to put some pressure on me to step down from this election. This reflects so negatively on his personality. I don't understand how any voting member, with the best interests of Canadian chess in mind, would be ready to support him.

[Sasha Starr]

Christopher, Aris, other VPs.

I find it hard to understand that at first Aris was one of two candidates, then one of three and finally resigned while endorsing the new candidate. If he resigned from the race due to the family health issues, why to endorse one of two remaining candidates, especially one who's entered the race almost at the last minute?
Aris has had family health issues, and therefore resigned, understand. And I've said numerous times the very best wishes to him and his family.

But his endorsement of Victor is highly questionable. Especially in a view that I've asked Victor: if there would have been only two candidates, Aris and Vadim, who would he, Victor, have supported? Without any hesitation Victor has answered: OF COURSE, ARIS!

This made me very suspicious about the motives of certain candidates. Entering the race, exiting the race, endorsing one of the two remaining candidates... While legal, it all SMELLS...

Sasha Starr, VM.

[Vadim Tsypin]

Dear colleagues:


I will establish or strengthen horizontal ties with fellow FIDE Members, other National Chess Federations (NCFs). Decentralization and professional networks is the key in our day and age. My healthy friendly relationships both within FIDE management and with the executives of key chess federation in the Americas, Asia and Europe will allow me to obtain unique opportunities for Canadian players and officials, especially for the young players.


There are so many intriguing possibilities for online and, eventually, over-the-board matches between players at all levels from Canada and a partner federation: senior players, club-level players, scholastic games, IM/GM norm events. To finance such exchanges, we will not necessarily go looking for partnerships with countries that are rich and powerful (U.K., France, or Japan). Many developing economies have chess funding that exceeds our wildest dreams but might be quite interested in various intangibles that Canada can offer.

I am pleased to direct you to an opinion piece published on the CMA Web site. This article analyzes issues with player development in Canada and draws attention to the positive experiences and government programs in one of rapidly expanding Central Asian economies.

An equivalent of US$ 4 million of annual guaranteed funding from state budget just for scholastic chess – isn’t it fantastic even by North American standards?!

https://chess-math.org/blog/uzbekistan-set-become-world-chess-leader-thanks-presidents-decree

The CFC would benefit greatly from forming horizontal, peer-to-peer relationships with the Chess Federation of Uzbekistan and similar relationships with other rapidly developing chess powers, such as the All-India Chess Federation. Thanks to my already established contacts with federation officials around the world, we shall be able to start working on drafting Memorandums of Understanding right after the election!

[Aris Marghetis]

I hereby confirm that Vadim also got the following people to contact myself, to "influence" me that I should step down for Vadim (and publicly endorse him):

January 24th: Michael Barron (CAN)
January 24th: Nikos Kalesis (GRE)
January 24th: Vadim Tsypin (CAN)
January 26th: Nikos Kalesis (GRE)
January 28th: George Mastrokoukos (GRE)

[Christopher Mallon]

Christopher, Aris, other VPs.

I find it hard to understand that at first Aris was one of two candidates, then one of three and finally resigned while endorsing the new candidate. If he resigned from the race due to the family health issues, why to endorse one of two remaining candidates, especially one who's entered the race almost at the last minute?
Aris has had family health issues, and therefore resigned, understand. And I've said numerous times the very best wishes to him and his family.

But his endorsement of Victor is highly questionable. Especially in a view that I've asked Victor: if there would have been only two candidates, Aris and Vadim, who would he, Victor, have supported? Without any hesitation Victor has answered: OF COURSE, ARIS!

This made me very suspicious about the motives of certain candidates. Entering the race, exiting the race, endorsing one of the two remaining candidates... While legal, it all SMELLS...

Sasha Starr, VM.

I guess no apology for your earlier nastiness is incoming?

There are any number of reasons why someone might support someone else for a position.
I was going to vote for Aris. Now I will be voting for Victor. Does that also smell? Does everything you don't personally agree with smell? You should get that checked out...

[Sasha Starr]

I guess no apology for your earlier nastiness is incoming?

There are any number of reasons why someone might support someone else for a position.
I was going to vote for Aris. Now I will be voting for Victor. Does that also smell? Does everything you don't personally agree with smell? You should get that checked out...

Christopher, I'm in the middle of making decision whether keep replying to your posts or not. No decision yet. Will let you know.

[Sasha Starr]

This morning, I got a call from my friend and long-time business partner. He is a Soviet Union CM that currently lives in St. Petersburg Russia. I have been friends with him since 1976. Currently, he is not an active chess player, however, occasionally plays blitz in St. Petersburg. He informed me that he recently got a very strange call from a well-known chess organizer named Vladimir Bykov (V.B).

V.B asked my friend whether he knew of me, and of course he answered yes, because we are long-time friends. Bykov informed my friend that Victor Plotkin is currently participating in a chess election in Canada against Vadim Tsypin. Bykov told my friend that "Vadim is a good guy and Victor Plotkin should step down from his candidacy." Some very influential people in the FIDE had asked Bykov to call my friend.

When my friend told me about the call between him and Bykov, I was very surprised. In Russia, calling someone and giving such a powerful message is a clear threat. After some hesitation, I decided to contact Emil Sutovsky, and I asked him for his advice regarding this information.

Here are the most important parts of our chat translated into English (it was in Russian, on Facebook Messenger):

V.P: Hello, Emil! I hope you remember me - we have interacted numerous times at Olympiads and in Gibraltar. I recall that in Canada's match against Israel, you beat Gerzhoy on the second board, in the Carro-Cann. The match ended with a score of 2-2.

E.S: Victor, of course I remember you, I also remember seeing you at Aeroflot Opens.

I explained the situation to him, he understood and took it very seriously. It was a priority for him to assure me that the FIDE is unrelated here.

V.P: Emil, there is no doubt in my mind that neither you, nor Dvorkovich, have any relation to this whatsoever. Rather, all I'm asking for is some advice, from friend to friend. I ask that you understand me correctly - what happened today was absolutely brutal for me to hear.

E.S: Why do you need to consider Bykov's opinion?

V.P: Of course, I have no intention of heeding his advice. But it is evident to me that Tsypin initiated this. This all seems somewhat disturbing, wouldn't you agree?

E.S: Certainly. Well, the question here is whether or not Tsypin crossed any lines, made any threats, or did anything of the sort.

He then asked me about my opinion on this election, my answer was that it is approximately equal at this point, because many players support me, but Tsypin has the support of the President and of some chess politicians.

E.S: I understand. Disregard this (Bykov's message). This most certainly doesn't improve his image. I can only reiterate that under no circumstances can we try to have an impact. And if anyone suggests this, it's a lie.

I thanked him for discussing this with me. Soon after, he asked about the reason behind Marghetis' resignation.

V.P: He did it in my favor, I want to emphasize that I did not initiate this, and had never asked him about it. Why? It seems that I, a more neutral candidate in this instance, was suitable, in his view. I am not an arbiter, I don't earn money from chess, and I am not looking for personal benefits from this position.

E.S: You are a surprisingly decent person for a candidate.

Sutovsky took this issue very seriously, and immediately informed the FIDE President, Arkady Dvorkovich. Very soon after this, Vlad Drkulec, Vadim Tsypin, and I received an official email from a FIDE lawyer stating:

"Dear colleagues. I am writing this letter on behalf of the FIDE President.

In connection with a number of questions that arise regarding the upcoming elections of Canada’s representative in FIDE, we would like to officially assure FIDE’s position.
FIDE always takes an absolutely neutral position on elections in any federation, considers elections to be the internal affair of each federation, and works equally fruitfully and constructively with any representative elected in the respective federation."

I do not know if Vadim crossed a line, and I don't have enough evidence to take this to court, nor do I have any intention of doing this as of now. Actually, I don't know Bykov at all, and likely, before last week, he was not aware of my existence either. The only person who could have initiated this chain of contacts is Tsypin, who tried to put some pressure on me to step down from this election. This reflects so negatively on his personality. I don't understand how any voting member, with the best interests of Canadian chess in mind, would be ready to support him.

Victor, a few questions.
1.How recently has your friend got a call from Vladimir Bykov? Does he keep record of that call (date, duration, phone number, etc.)
2."Some very influential people in the FIDE had asked Bykov to call my friend". Did Bykov tell that to your friend?
3.Please take your friend's deposition (in Russian OK).
4.And based on that CFC could initiate a deposition from Vladimir Bykov.
Please try to do your best due to the election's deadline.
Sasha Starr, VM.

[Christopher Mallon]

Hal Bond has posted his side of the story on the public forums. I'm going to quote it here because I think it's important to get it into the official meeting record.


Hal Bond: Report to CFC Voting Members (February 2021)

The position of “FIDE Representative” in Canada is all about public service. Integrity is the most important quality for any candidate.
I resigned because of the conduct of Vadim Tsypin, and President Vlad Drkulec’s response to that conduct, since 2018. The pattern of behaviour is of growing concern.

Here is a summary of events and relevant quotes from emails:

October 4th, 2018: I shall start with the election of FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. Vadim is on his campaign team. I emailed a couple of positive notes to the CFC Executive from Batumi:
“Last night I had a chance to speak briefly with Arkady Dvorkovich. I congratulated him on his solid victory and told him that Canada looks forward to working with him. He assured me that we will work together.”

and

“The 2019 NAYCC was awarded to Canada last night also in an extended meeting FIDE America.”

Later that day, Tsypin emailed a positive reply to the CFC Executive:

“First of all, thanks again to Hal for seeing through Canada's bid to completion, much appreciated.”
So far, so good.

October 5th, 2018: After a series of challenging FIDE meetings right after the election, I emailed a pointed update to the CFC Executive. I was positive about Dvorkovich, but I had concerns too.

I soon discovered something very dark. This email to my Executive was distorted and shared with the FIDE President and his team. It depicts me as an anti-Semite who is against them. Despite FIDE’s lack of co-operation I found this forgery. I have underlined the alterations below.
From my email:
“Makro was a brilliant Chair during the remaining agenda matters and this was appreciated by all. His parting words were a tad sharp- urging AD not to go down the road of exclusion and cronyism bribery and state influence which characterized the campaign. Makro was very proud of his clean campaign against Putin, Kasparov, USA etc.

The new regime does have a steep learning curve ahead and I choose to be optimistic. But there are haters among AD’s people and some who are also clueless. I do not include Arkady in this number so I hope his leadership prevails.”

From the forgery:

“Makro was as brilliant as always during the remaining agenda matters. He is a towering figure over new dwarfs. His parting words urged AD not to go down the road of exclusion and cronyism, bribery and state influence which characterized the campaign. Makro was very proud of his clean campaign
against the joint forces of Putin, Zionism, Kasparov, USA etc.

The new junta does have a steep learning curve ahead and I am not optimistic. AD’s people are haters and most are also clueless. They don't appreciate any of us who served FIDE under Macro's enlightened leadership.”

A number of Senior FIDE Officials have since verbally named the culprit. You can guess.


cont'd

October 11th, 2018: Tsypin writes to CFC Executive and others, and appears to make an oblique reference to the forgery above:

“Those inept people who "distinguished" themselves by vile personal attacks and biased reports sent back to their countries will never be considered competent or worthy.”

Tsypin ends his email by confirming his target is me:

“The present Canada’s delegate to FIDE has done enormous damage to our country and to the CFC by his actions in Batumi. His ill-advised political manifestations, his visceral personal attacks on members of the President’s campaign, his boorish and under-the-influence behaviour at the official receptions, and especially his rehashing of old canards and politically charged epithets – all of this was literally beyond the pale and created a long-lasting impression on the key people who would be governing the FIDE in
the next four years.

Please rest assured that the FIDE President makes clear distinction between actions of one unbalanced individual – and wishes and aspirations of the Canadian chess community, the players, the grassroots organizers. There is now a unique chance for Canada to be among the very first countries that
would receive tangible help from FIDE.

However, our federation needs to make a clean break with the past as well. Animosity, hostility, venom incompetence, inappropriate behaviour - all of this needs to be replaced by impartiality and professionalism at the international level This is a subject of discussions that I’ve already initiated with the CFC President. We need to move fast; London's PB is around the corner.”

There are three takeaways to consider:
1) The ugly attack speech is blatant.
2) A quid pro quo implied. (tangible help from FIDE …a clean break with the past)
3) Tsypin announces he is opening a back channel with Drkulec.

Vlad called me the same day and confirmed that he had been contacted by Vadim and Berik, and €20,000 from FIDE was being offered to the CFC if I am replaced.

In the meantime, Tsypin approaches one year as an International Arbiter (IA) Category D. It takes at least five years to be promoted to IA Category B. Tsypin makes his move early. At his request, I sign for his norms, subject to time served. This is irregular but the Arbiters’ Commission (ARB) reluctantly accepts it. Vadim convinces Vlad to petition FIDE for an exemption to time served without my knowledge. Extraordinary! The situation is resolved in September 2019. I wanted Vadim held accountable. The following emails capture this:

February 12th, 2020: In my email to the CFC Executive:

“You will recall that Vadim Tsypin attempted to fast track his Arbiter Classification with FIDE, which would allow him to be a FIDE Lecturer 4 years early, ahead of others who wait their turn. This can only happen if the applicant’s Federation writes to FIDE to request it. You will recall that Mr. Tsypin tricked Vlad into signing such a letter for him, and at our unanimous direction, Vlad wrote a letter of retraction.
Should that be the end of it? I think not. The fact that Vlad wrote the retraction is proof that Vadim behaved incorrectly. I believe and disciplinary action is required.”

February 13th, 2020: In his email reply to the CFC Executive, Vlad confirms two things:

1) Tsypin misled Drkulec (and FIDE) regarding FIDE Arbiter classification regulations:

“That I wrote the retraction is only proof that I believe I acted incorrectly.” (re: petitioning FIDE)

2) The quid pro quo implied from October 11th, 2018:

“We don't understand Vadim's relationship with FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich. We don't know Vadim's relationship with whoever intercepted and altered Hal's email. We know Berik who was a close associate of Kirsan Ilyumzhanov is somehow involved. We know they were offering large sums of money in exchange for getting rid of Hal.”

Despite a unanimous vote by the Executive, Vlad refuses to ask for Vadim’s resignation as the CFC Publicity Officer. Vadim is not held accountable.


cont'd

Following the 2020 CFC AGM, Drkulec tries to take my place at the FIDE Online General Assembly.

October 9th, 2020: FIDE publishes the LIST OF DELEGATES for the 2020 FIDE Online General Assembly. Vlad has named himself as Canada’s Delegate.
October 10th, 2020: I notice. I advise Drkulec to correct.
October 14th, 2020: I remind Drkulec to correct.
October 15th, 2020: I escalate to the rest of CFC Executive:

“According to FIDE, you wrote to them stating that you would be attending as Delegate. Now they require you to correct this mistake so please do so. The deadline is October 31. You can almost surely attend as Counsellor and I would totally welcome that.”

And after Drkulec resists:

“I have added the rest of the Executive to this discussion. I am Canada’s FIDE Delegate. Why would you tell FIDE otherwise? I am disappointed that you would take this action without even informing me.”

October 27th, 2020: FIDE confirms that I am confirmed as FIDE Delegate for Canada. And at my collaborative recommendation, that Drkulec will also attend.

December 29th, 2020: Diana Tsypina (Tsypin’s spouse) has passed one year as an IA Category D. It takes at least five years to be promoted to IA Category B. Like her husband, Tsypina makes her move early. She submits her application to me on this date.

I perform a complete analysis, generating many notes of concern. I check with FIDE. I have no choice but to find the application insufficient.

January 18th, 2021: I email Tsypina my decision:

“I regret to advise that I cannot recommend this upgrade. Four of the events you listed took place before you were an FA. Two of the events were 5 rounds in duration. I requested an unofficial opinion from the Arbiters’ Commission and they have confirmed my findings.”

January 18th, 2021: Tsypina escalates to Drkulec. She offers him a possible solution:

“I need a simple written decision of the Chess Federation of Canada,"Submit" or "Refuse". Kindly advise me within five (5) business days. In case of refusal, my next step would be governed by Art 5.4:
"Applications must be submitted to the FIDE Secretariat by the federation of the applicant. The National federation is responsible for the fee. If the applicant’s federation refuses to apply, the applicant can bring his case to the Arbiters’ Commission, who (sic) will investigate it."”

January 19th, 2021: Despite the possible solution offered by Tsypina, Drkulec unilaterally decides to endorse the Tsypina application.

January 20th, 2021: I email my resignation letter to the CFC Executive.

I should note that despite recommending Aris as my interim replacement, he spent several days urging me to stay on. Thank you Aris, for your kind support. I think Victor Plotkin will be an excellent FIDE Rep.

Needless to say there are challenges ahead. Good luck!

[Lloyd Lombard]

I note that wrote the following before reading Christopher Mallon's last posting. I have to admit that when I first became involved with the CFC 6 or 7 years ago, that I was optimistic that this would be an organization which would be non-political and work hard for the betterment of chess, domestically and internationally. Here's my post regarding my vote and why:

First, I reiterate my earlier statement that we “must” have the best interests of the CFC at heart. It’s not whether we “like” someone over another person, it’s the reality of the administration of the position and everything that relates to it. This is an important position and careful, sober deliberation must prevail.

Let me say that I don’t know Vadim personally other than the presentation which he did for the CFC Board of Directors and the few e-mails which we have exchanged thereafter. Knowing Vadim as little as I do, I doubt that Vadim would initiate a threat to have Victor resign from the race however I can believe that with FIDE being a large international organization, that somehow the wrong people got hold of the information and tried to make it easier for Vadim to win the race. Having said that, as you are all aware, I announced my support for Vadim early in the discussion on the condition that I was able to be swayed by future information. I have decided to support Victor for the following reasons:

1. Competency : I consider both Victor and Vadim are both competent and qualified to undertake the position of CFC Representative at the FIDE table, that goes without question.

2. Strength-in-Numbers: This is a key reason for voting for Victor. It has already been said many times, and Vadim has said so himself, that he has assisted the CFC, Canadian delegations and Canadian individuals in many situations. It seems to me that there is “strength-in-numbers” in the sense that Vadim remains in the same position (I’m assuming he will remain in his position on the FIDE Management Board), therefore, Vadim will still be able to do everything he has done in the past. With such a huge schedule, surely Victor can take some of the burden by taking on the position and working with Vadim to get things done. I simply cannot see that it would be detrimental to have Vadim in the Management Board position where he can continue to assist the CFC and have Victor take on the duties of CFC Representative.

3. CFC / FIDE Knowledge: Both candidates have good working relationships with both the CFC and FIDE and a good working knowledge of domestic and international chess.

4. Conflict of Interest: I have already stated that I don’t believe Vadim is in a conflict of interest if he remains on the FIDE Management Board and was concurrently the CFC Representative. However as has been mentioned by others, there may well be situations where CFC and FIDE interests collide and Vadim would have to abstain from an important vote (I can’t imagine a situation as I write this, however it seems to me that it is a possibility). Obviously, that issue does not arise with Victor.

For those reasons, I will be voting to support Victor.

Lloyd

[Vadim Tsypin]

I hereby confirm that Vadim also got the following people to contact myself, to "influence" me that I should step down for Vadim (and publicly endorse him):

January 24th: Michael Barron (CAN)
January 24th: Nikos Kalesis (GRE)
January 24th: Vadim Tsypin (CAN)
January 26th: Nikos Kalesis (GRE)
January 28th: George Mastrokoukos (GRE)

Obviously, I cannot comment on the allegations regarding third persons raised by Aris Marghetis in his post since I have not been the party to the alleged contacts.

However,

January 24th: Vadim Tsypin (CAN) is a patent lie.

Mr. Marghetis, kindly provide the proof that Vadim Tsypin “contacted yourself” on January 24, or withdraw your allegations and apologize immediately. I have phone records that *prove otherwise*.

[Sasha Starr]

I note that wrote the following before reading Christopher Mallon's last posting. I have to admit that when I first became involved with the CFC 6 or 7 years ago, that I was optimistic that this would be an organization which would be non-political and work hard for the betterment of chess, domestically and internationally. Here's my post regarding my vote and why:

First, I reiterate my earlier statement that we “must” have the best interests of the CFC at heart. It’s not whether we “like” someone over another person, it’s the reality of the administration of the position and everything that relates to it. This is an important position and careful, sober deliberation must prevail.

Let me say that I don’t know Vadim personally other than the presentation which he did for the CFC Board of Directors and the few e-mails which we have exchanged thereafter. Knowing Vadim as little as I do, I doubt that Vadim would initiate a threat to have Victor resign from the race however I can believe that with FIDE being a large international organization, that somehow the wrong people got hold of the information and tried to make it easier for Vadim to win the race. Having said that, as you are all aware, I announced my support for Vadim early in the discussion on the condition that I was able to be swayed by future information. I have decided to support Victor for the following reasons:

1. Competency : I consider both Victor and Vadim are both competent and qualified to undertake the position of CFC Representative at the FIDE table, that goes without question.

2. Strength-in-Numbers: This is a key reason for voting for Victor. It has already been said many times, and Vadim has said so himself, that he has assisted the CFC, Canadian delegations and Canadian individuals in many situations. It seems to me that there is “strength-in-numbers” in the sense that Vadim remains in the same position (I’m assuming he will remain in his position on the FIDE Management Board), therefore, Vadim will still be able to do everything he has done in the past. With such a huge schedule, surely Victor can take some of the burden by taking on the position and working with Vadim to get things done. I simply cannot see that it would be detrimental to have Vadim in the Management Board position where he can continue to assist the CFC and have Victor take on the duties of CFC Representative.

3. CFC / FIDE Knowledge: Both candidates have good working relationships with both the CFC and FIDE and a good working knowledge of domestic and international chess.

4. Conflict of Interest: I have already stated that I don’t believe Vadim is in a conflict of interest if he remains on the FIDE Management Board and was concurrently the CFC Representative. However as has been mentioned by others, there may well be situations where CFC and FIDE interests collide and Vadim would have to abstain from an important vote (I can’t imagine a situation as I write this, however it seems to me that it is a possibility). Obviously, that issue does not arise with Victor.

For those reasons, I will be voting to support Victor.

Lloyd

Obviously Victor's story is requiring a proof, and I've already asked Victor to take certain steps to address it.
Now, Lloyd, let me comment on your reasonings:
1.Competency. As I'm concerned only one of two candidates has it. It is obvious that one who has never been in this position simply can't have it by definition.
2.Strength-in-Numbers: nothing is further from the truth. Whatever problem Vadim can solve with one email (he knows what when and to whom to write) will take Victor years to learn and figure it out, especially if CFC will reject Vadim's candidacy. There will be very little or no incentive for loser to cooperate with a winner.
3.CFC / FIDE Knowledge: Since when Victor has a good or any for that matter relationship with FIDE?
4.Conflict of interest: you yourself have written that "I can’t imagine a situation as I write this, however it seems to me that it is a possibility". So you would vote for clearly inferior candidate cause' of this small possibility?
Anyway, the choice is yours. Good Luck.
Sasha Starr, VM.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Obviously, I cannot comment on the allegations regarding third persons raised by Aris Marghetis in his post since I have not been the party to the alleged contacts.

However,
is a patent lie.

Mr. Marghetis, kindly provide the proof that Vadim Tsypin “contacted yourself” on January 24, or withdraw your allegations and apologize immediately. I have phone records that *prove otherwise*.

Aris contacted me shortly after your phone conversation and expressed some irritation about the contents of that call but they did arise to the level of the tall tales that were told to Egis or perhaps told by Egis later. He called me a day later and again the call was not that bad in his analysis but his resentment was growing.

Aris made repeated attempts to get me to broker a skype conversation between Aris, Vadim and myself. Vadim resisted on the grounds that all three candidates should be involved in any such meeting. After suggesting that one outcome of such a call might be that Aris would withdraw and endorse Vadim for FIDE rep Vadim offered to meet on the condition that Aris offered a detailed agenda for the meeting specifying that the purpose was to withdraw from the campaign and offer an endorsement for Vadim. Aris kept insisting on a meeting and Vadim kept insisting on a detailed agenda and so there was no meeting.

[Pierre Dénommée]

I will vote for Vadim Tsypin because he his the most qualified person for this position. He has numerous contacts within FIDE and foreign Federations that could greatly improve chess in Canada. His position within FIDE is an advantage, not a conflict of interest. FIDE works for its member Federations, not against them. Furthermore, he his the only candidate with a real published program.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

Vladimir Drkulec
To: Mark Dutton
CC: Aris Marghetis, Rest of CFC Board



Sun 2021-01-24 1:29 PM


Thank you Mark,


I am in the process of talking to a lawyer about this whole situation. There is a provision in the NFP act which suggests to me that in cases where we have not a full slate of directors we may be required to call a meeting. Our course of action depends on the definition of a full slate of directors as we have provisions for ten. Unfortunately, today is an extremely busy day and I won't be able to give any of these discussions much attention until I finish with my lessons around 11 pm. I will only have a few minutes here and there unless there are cancellations in my lessons.

We have additional requirements from the Canadian Olympic Committee on how we are supposed to proceed in cases where we add a board member and there are requirements about our process. We should not rush this and whatever we do should have approval of the voting members. If you want to add Aris as a board member that would also work for me as it is within our power but hold off on the FIDE rep decision. He would need to recuse himself from the final decision on that matter. It might tie our hands a bit on the COC requirements which are also increasingly Canadian government requirements as well. This is in effect, what Egis suggested at one point.


Vlad



Clearly the first mention I made to Aris about a board post had no requirement of any action on his part and was a reaction to an earlier post by Egis suggesting that Aris be put on the board when we were still working with the idea of a split role for Aris and Hal Bond. My intention was to show that I had no objection to Aris per se, but to the process that was being rushed ahead by the board just three days after Hal Bond had resigned.