FIDE continues its Veterans Support Program, announcing the 2021 edition

One of the key planks of Arkady Dvorkovich's New Horizons team's 2018 electoral platform was providing financial support for women, youth, and seniors.

Shortly after Mr. Dvorkovich's electoral triumph, by decision of the Q1 2019 FIDE Presidential Board meeting in Astana, a brand new support program for seniors was launched and the member federations were asked to submit applications.

The aid package for 2019 totaled €21,000. The following ten distinguished players, coaches and organizers were selected as recipients:

• GM Rafael Vaganian (Armenia)
• IM Anatoly Bykhovsky (Russia)
• WGM Lyudmila Saunina (Russia)
• IA Viktor Kart (Ukraine/Germany)
• WGM Lidia Semenova (Ukraine)
• Petko Petkov (Bulgaria)
• IM Raimundo Garcia (Argentina)
• IM Rico Yap Mascarinas (Philippines)
• IM Michael Basman (England)
• GM Włodzimierz Schmidt (Poland)

The aid package for 2020 was increased and reached €35,000. The following seventeen players, coaches and promoters were selected as recipients:

• Alexander Nikitin (RUS)
• Heikki Westerinen (FIN)
• Viktor Zheliandinov (UKR)
• Vlastimil Jansa (CZE)
• Evgeni Melikset-Begi (GEO)
• Gabriela Olarasu (ROM)
• Viacheslav Dydyshko (BLR)
• Qi Jingxuan (CHN)
• Yaacov Zilberman (ISR)
• Slim Bouaziz (TUN)
• Gerry Walsh (ENG)
• Boris Itkis (MLD/ROM)
• Lyudmila Belavenets (RUS)
• Jesus Gonzales Bayolo (CUB)
• Dmitry Kayumov (UZB)
• Lkhamsuren Myagmarsuren (MGL)
• Emmanuel Omuku (NGR)

Unfortunately, it appears that the Chess Federation of Canada never nominated any Canadian veteran for a support grant in 2019-2020, nor did it inquire in advance about the modalities and deadlines for this program in 2021. I see absolutely no justification for that, when there are so many deserving seniors in Canada who could definitely benefit from such support.

With today's announcement, FIDE graciously offers its member federations an opportunity to help veterans in 2021. "Anyone over the age of 65, who has contributed to the development of chess and who is in an unstable financial situation, is eligible." The deadline for submissions is March 01.

"After carefully considering the numerous applications received, the special panel appointed by the FIDE Council decided that these will be the twelve chess players, coaches, and promoters to benefit from FIDE's support to chess veterans:

• Sergey Makarychev (Russia)
• Tamaz Giorgadze (Georgia)
• Hanna Erenska-Barlo (Poland)
• Reynaldo Vera González-Quevedo (Cuba)
• Avigdor Bykhovsky (Israel)
• Juzefs Petkevich (Latvia)
• Anatoly Noskov (Kazakhstan)
• Bosko Abramovic (Serbia)
• Jan Kalendovsky (Czech Republic)
• Nina Medyanikova (Russia)
• Julio Ostos (Venezuela)
• Irina Ostry (Kyrgyzstan)

A total of €30.000 will be distributed among these seniors with each person from the list receiving €2,500.

Depending on the situation by summer 2021, FIDE will either increase a prize fund in veteran championships this year or distribute more awards to our distinguished veterans."

As well as Canada, the entire Western world seems to be under-represented (no Americans? Few Western Europeans?). Were all federations made aware of these grants?

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Originally Posted by Hugh Brodie

As well as Canada, the entire Western world seems to be under-represented (no Americans? Few Western Europeans?). Were all federations made aware of these grants?

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From FIDE announcement:

Anyone over 65, who has contributed to the development of chess and who is in an unstable financial situation, is eligible to submit an application.

So, "unstable financial situation" is an important criteria. Likely, Eastern World countries have more cases of this.

CFC will be ready for the next grant.