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WORLD CHESS FEDERATION

(Fédération Internationale des Echecs - FIDE)

The Fédération Internationale des Echecs, (FIDE for short), is the recognised international federation (World Chess Federation) in the domain of chess, which was founded on July 20, 1924 in Paris. FIDE is recognised by the International Olympic Committee as the supreme body responsible for the game of chess and its Championships. FIDE has the sole rights to organise the World Chess Championships and the Chess Olympiads. FIDE unites National Chess Federations throughout the world and oversees all International competitions. FIDE is concerned exclusively with chess activities. 

Present FIDE Office Bearers

FIDE President	General Secretary	Executive Director
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov	Ignatius Leong	David Jarrett

FIDE Statutes

(As Approved by the World Chess Federation FIDE)

(Courtesy : FIDE)

GENS UNA SUMUS

The moral strength of FIDE is manifested by the discipline of its members.
Statutes of the World Chess Federation - Fédération Internationale des Echecs - FIDE, founded 20 July, 1924, Paris, France.
Chapter 1 - Status, principles and aims of FIDE
1.1. The International Chess Federation or Fédération Internationale des Echecs, (referred to in the ensuing text as FIDE for short), is the recognized international federation in the domain of chess, which was founded on July 20, 1924 in Paris. FIDE is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the supreme body responsible for the game of chess and its Championships. FIDE has the sole rights to organize the World Chess Championships and the Chess Olympiads. (GA’00).
FIDE unites national chess federations throughout the world and oversees all International competitions.
1.2. FIDE is concerned exclusively with chess activities. FIDE is democratically established and bases itself on the principles of equal rights of its members.
It rejects discriminatory treatment for national, political, racial, social or religious reasons or on account of gender.
It observes a strict neutrality in the internal affairs of the national chess federations.
(a) FIDE events (competitions, congresses, meetings) may be hosted only by Federations in whose countries free access is generally assured to representatives of all Federations.
(b) The General Assembly may take exceptions for reasons of state of war or severe violence between countries, only on ¾ majority vote.
1.3. Chess is one of the most ancient, intellectual and cultural games. It is a combination of sport, of scientific thinking and of the elements of art.
The purpose and aim of FIDE are therefore the diffusion and development of chess among all nations of the world, as well as the raising of the level of chess culture and knowledge on a sporting, scientific, creative and cultural basis. FIDE supports a close international cooperation of the chess devotees in all fields of chess activity, thereby also aiming to improve friendly harmony among all peoples of the world.
1.4. FIDE issues the rules of chess and the provisions pertaining to the organization of the World Championships and all other FIDE chess competitions. It awards the international chess titles. The General Assembly issues rules of chess, decides on the regulations for all FIDE competitions and determines the conditions for the award of international titles.
FIDE competitions are in general open to players of both sex. A competition described as a women’s event is reserved for women players but women players are entitled to compete in events as described as “men’s events”
15.2. The official FIDE-languages are Arabic, English, French, German,
Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. In case of divergence in FIDE documents issued in different languages, in general the English version is the valid one. However, if a document was originally written in one of the other FIDE languages, that version will be considered as the authentic one.
Any other language is permitted, however, to facilitate correspondence and discussions.
15.3. The FIDE Motto is "Gens Una Sumus" (We are one family).
The FIDE seal is a white Knight intersected by five white latitudinal lines on a black globe, with the word "FIDE" in black at the base of the Knight, and the FIDE motto in black below the globe.
The FIDE flag is the FIDE Seal at the center of a sky-blue background, on both sides of the flag, measuring 100 x 150 cm. or in proportion thereto.
Chapter 16 - Ethics
16.1. The game and concept of chess is based on the assumption that everyone involved / concerned observe existing rules and regulations and attaches the greatest importance to fair play and good sportsmanship.
16.2. It is impossible to define exactly and in all circumstances the standard of conduct expected from all parties involved in FIDE tournaments and events, or to list all sets which would amount to a breach of the Code of Ethics and lead to disciplinary sanctions. In most cases common sense will tell the participants the standards of behaviour that are required. If any participants in a FIDE event has any doubt as to the conduct which is expected of him or her, the FIDE officials present should be contacted or the local organizer who has been put in charge of the event 16.3. Disputes arising during a game or tournament shall be resolved in accordance with the rules of play in existence at the time and with the tournament regulations.
16.4. This Code of Ethics is applicable to:
• FIDE office bearers,
• member federations, delegates and counselors,
• affiliated organizations
• organizers, sponsors
• all competitors in FIDE registered tournaments.
This Code of Ethics shall govern what action may be taken against any
person (meaning either an individual or organization) who deliberately or
through gross negligence violates the rules and regulations of the game or neglects to observe the precepts of fair play.
16.5. Breach of Ethics
The Code of Ethics shall be breached by a person or organization who
directly or indirectly
15.5.1 offers, or attempts to offer or accepts any consideration or bribe with a view of influencing the result in a game of chess or election into FIDE office.
15.5.2 in other respects acts contrary to this Code.
15.5.3 Of particular importance in this respect are the following:
(a) Fraud in the administration of any FIDE or national federation office. The same applies where incorrect information is given in order to obtain unwarranted advantages or gain.
(b) Office bearers who through their behavior no longer inspire the necessary confidence or have in other ways become unworthy of trust.
(c) Organizers, tournament directors, arbiters or other officials who fail to perform their functions in an impartial and responsible manner.
(d) Failure to comply with normally accepted standards of courtesy and chess etiquette. Misbehavior of a personal nature which is generally unacceptable by normal social standards.
(e) Cheating or attempts at cheating during games and tournaments. Violent, threatening or other unseemly behavior during or in connection with a chess event.
(f) Players withdrawing from a tournament without valid reason or without informing the tournament arbiter.
(g) Gross or repeated violations of FIDE Laws of Chess or other approved tournament regulations.
(h) In any top level tournament, players, delegations or teams must comply with a high standard dress code. Delegations include both a player's seconds and any other individual who the player allows to conduct business on behalf of the players. Players are responsible for the actions of acknowledged members of their delegations.
(i) Players or members of their delegations must not make unjustified accusations toward other players, officials or sponsors. All protests must be referred directly to the arbiter or the Technical Director of the tournament.
(j) In addition, disciplinary action in accordance with this Code of Ethics will be taken in cases of occurrences, which cause the game of chess, FIDE or its federations to appear in an unjustifiable unfavorable light and in this way damage its reputation.
(k) Any conduct likely to injure or discredit the reputation of FIDE, its events, organizers, participants, sponsors or that will not enhance the goodwill which attaches to the same.
16.6. Breach of Ethics
The tournament officials will take all necessary steps to ensure the proper conduct of both games and tournaments according to the Laws of Chess and the tournament regulations.
(a) FIDE federations, officials and affiliated organizations acting in contravention to this code can be temporarily excluded from membership or office.
(b) Anyone acting in contravention of this code can be excluded from participation in all FIDE tournaments or from specific types of tournaments for a period of up to 3 years. Weight shall be given to the type of violation and to any previous violations in deciding upon the length of the exclusion period.
(c) Tournament arbiters who fail to act in accordance with the code of ethics can lose their authorization or refused the right to supervise FIDE tournaments for a period of up to 3 years. In such cases any new authorization will only be granted according to ordinary regulations.
(d) Tournament organizers who act in contravention of the code, can be refused the right to organize FIDE events for a period of up to 3 years.
(e) In the event of a player or member of delegation creating an unreasonable disturbance or distraction relating to rules, procedures or conditions, at the direction of the Appeal Committee, a player may be fined up to Five Thousand U.S. Dollars (US$5,000) and may be forfeited one or more games, depending on the disturbance.
(f) In the case of physically or verbally aggressive or intimidating conduct of a player or a member of delegation towards any other individual involved with an event, FIDE may take any or all of the following actions:
(i) fine a player up to Twenty Five Thousand U.S. Dollars (US$25,000).
(ii) rule that a player has forfeited a game or a match.
(iii) if the offensive act was committed by a member of the player's delegation, ask such person to leave the event. Refusal by such a person to comply may result in penalties to the player as described.
16.7. Administrative Procedures
15.7.1 Breach of the regulations of this code by any Federation or FIDE official shall be reported to the FIDE Secretariat.
15.7.2 Breach of the regulations of this code by any person shall be reported to and decided by the FIDE Ethics Committee.
15.7.3 The proceedings shall be recorded in writing. Grounds must be given for any decisions taken and these must also be in writing after the defendant must have been given sufficient grounds to defend himself in writing and orally if necessary
15.7.4 Appeals against a decision taken by any FIDE official can be submitted to the FIDE Ethics Commission. The appeal must be sent by registered mail together with a deposit of Two Hundred Fifty U.S. Dollars (US$250). The deposit will be returned should the appeal to all intents and purposes prove to be justified
15.7.5 Any decisions made by the Ethics Commission may be the object of appeal arbitration proceedings in accordance with the Code of sports related arbitration of the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland
15.7.6 The time limit for appeal is twenty-one days following the communication of the decision concerning appeal. All recourse to ordinary courts is excluded.
Chapter 17 - Recall and Expulsion
17.1. Any member of the Presidential Board may be removed from office for cause. Cause is defined as being contrary to the spirit and text of the statutes and regulations of their office. The action must have the agreement of the Ethics Committee and requires a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board or a majority in the General Assembly.
Chapter 18 - Final Settlement of Disputes at the Court of Arbitration for Sport
18.1. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in this Statute, FIDE hereby subscribes to the final settlement of any dispute directly or
indirectly related to chess in its whole or partial practice, be it commercial or relating to the practice and development of chess or a dispute following a decision by FIDE, to be sent to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne without recourse to any other court or tribunal, as earlier subscribed to by FIDE on 11 October 1995.
18.2. For all practical purposes, the practice of the game of chess in all its ramifications is fully recognised as sport by the International Olympic Committee at the IOC session in Seoul, Korea in June 1999 and therefore any form of practice of the game of chess and any decision thereon by FIDE or any form of activity relating thereto either directly or indirectly falls within the definition of sport.
18.3. The settlement of all disputes under Article 17.1 above shall be applicable to acts performed by :
(a) FIDE as an Organization
(b) FIDE Office bearers
(c) Member Federations, their clubs and individual players
(d) Sponsors
(e) Any person or body with whom FIDE has entered into any form of contractual arrangement either directly or indirectly related to Chess
18.4. The Decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport shall be final and binding on the parties.
Chapter 19 - Doping and Drug Use
19.1. FIDE, its affiliated member Federations, bodies and players hereby subscribe where appropriate for chess players as agreed between FIDE and the International Olympic Committee, to be bound by the relevant rules and guidelines prescribed by the International Olympic Committee and other relevant agencies or bodies set up for the monitoring of drug use and doping by athletes in all FIDE competitions.
19.2. A Medical Commission comprising medical experts and laymen chosen on the basis of their personal merits shall be appointed by the Presidential Board to liaise with the relevant organs of the International Olympic Committee and agree from time to time on the list of prohibited substances and methods of doping that are applicable to chess players in FIDE competitions.
Chapter 20 - Miscellaneous regulations
20.1. These statutes were approved by the General Assembly on 25 June 1974 in Nice, France, and amended by the General Assembly on 6 November 1976 in Haifa, Israel, on 7, 8 and 10 November 1978 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 3 and 6 December 1980 in Valletta, Malta, on 29 July 1981 in Atlanta, USA, on 16 November 1982 in Lucerne, Switzerland, on 8 October 1983 in Manila, Philippines, on 28-30 1986 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 28 November 1988 in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 7-9 August 1989 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, on 30 November to 3 December 1990 in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, on 21-23 June 1992 in Manila, Philippines and on 22-24 November 1993 in Curitiba, Brazil; 13-15 December 1994 in Moscow, Russia, 22-24 November 1995 in Paris, France, 29 September to 1 October 1996 in Yerevan, Armenia, 2-10 September 1997 in Kishinev, Moldova, 2-13 October 1998 in Elista, Russia and 7 October 1999 in Doha, Qatar.
20.2. The Statutes of FIDE may be changed/modified/deleted with a 2/3 vote at the General Assembly meetings.
20.3. Decisions made by the General Assembly concerning the statutes, the standing orders or the electoral regulations will come into effect on the last day of the General Assembly, after the General Assembly is closed except amendments to Financial Regulations which come into operation on the first day of the next fiscal year.