Open Letter from US Chess to FIDE -- Venues for World Championship Events

Re:  Venues for FIDE World Championship Events Dear Mr. Nigel Freeman: The US Chess Federation believes World Championship events should be held in venues accessible to all of FIDE’s member federations.  Chapter 01 (Status, Principles and Aims of FIDE) of Section A (Administrative Subjects) in the FIDE Handbook, Paragraph 1.2 clearly states: “FIDE is concerned exclusively with chess activities.  It rejects discriminatory treatment for national, political, racial, social or religious reasons or on account of gender.  FIDE events (competitions, congresses, meetings) may be hosted only by Federations where free access is generally assured to representatives of all Federations.” The US Chess Federation respectfully asks FIDE to abide by its own handbook and to not award events to states where travel to the venue is not generally open to all of the member federations.  Continued selection of problematic venues brings negative press about the game of chess and distracts from the international spirit of competition and friendship our game promotes. As with the 2017 Women’s World Championship held in Iran, and the recently held Rapid & Blitz World Championships in Saudi Arabia, FIDE’s disregard of its own policies and handbook is very troubling – it is a disturbing pattern that calls into question the organization’s commitment to its founding principles.  The US Chess Federation calls for a renewed commitment by FIDE leadership to hold events in accordance with handbook Section 1.2. Yours in Chess, Michael E. Hoffpauir President, U.S. Chess Federation cc: Mr. Jorge Vega, President, CCA Ms. Ruth Haring, FIDE Zonal President Mr. Michael Khodarkovsky, FIDE Delegate, US Chess Federation