What is on Agenda?

[Ingo_Zachos]

Dear Alex,

currently the WCDF negotiates on the WC matches. Bids for both have been turned in by the FID, and other bids are still possible, but plz be patient that first the players must negotiate on it before we can publish anything.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Concerning the QT all I can say is that the WCDF was wrongly working under the assumption that in november the IMSA would announce the venue and date of the WMSG in 2012.
Currently we are asking for alternative bids, and some have been suggested, and IMSA is still claiming that they will hold the WMSG (can you tell us more?)

But be sure that even in case of no bids the WCDF byelaws allow us to nominate a tournament as a replacement for the QT in case no special QT (or WC for Women and Juniors) can be hosted.

Technically this was how Beijing 2008 became the WCDF QT.

Still, any federation is free to stage a substantial bid.


Greetinx from cloudy Dortmund,

Ingo Zachos

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Bids for both have been turned in by the FID

Certainly great news ! With or without other bids at least we are guarantee now that both matches are secured.

Concerning the QT all I can say is that the WCDF was wrongly working under the assumption that in november the IMSA would announce the venue and date of the WMSG in 2012.

I sent WCDF warning messages 4,3,2,1 months ago but they don't listen me. I am repeating now again - forget about IMSA and do not rely on this. Sitting and waiting is not a best approach and can ruin things.

Today we are in the same position with QT where we were 4 months ago in November. 4 months lost.

and IMSA is still claiming that they will hold the WMSG (can you tell us more?)

If you read Mr. Otten report, you shold know the right answer: forget about tales !

We are who we are and we are where we are.

One of solution for WCDF could be - wait until April 2nd when my deadline will be over and after then I make announcement - who will be my next opponent and where and when we play match. No needs for QT in this case and nothing to be worry for WCDF - isn't a great thing ?

Regards,

AM

[kiwinurse]

Yet again can i say in my humble opinion only,that holding world qualifiers every year is too much for most people to attend.If its a big qualifier every third or 4th year,let that person who wins it be the current world champion,instead of holding world matches every year.
Financially how can you sustain world matches and world qualifiers every year?
The bids are drying up in these recession times.It would be better for a representative of the WCDF to work at getting really good sponsorship in the years the matches are not being held,and hold the qualifier themselves,instead of relying on sponsor countries to do so,every three to four years.
Instead of being just a figurehead in checkers,take responsibility for these very important matches yourselves.But spend the time to make them decent qualifiers with very good prizes.The member countries where the qualifiers are being held could be responsible for getting good accommodation and meals for the players,but let the WCDF organize and run everything else.Whats wrong with that?
Something needs to change,as from when i started going overseas to play,there are fewer and fewer of these tournies,with less representation from the countries.It just seems to me checkers is dying ,and it needs a newer dynamic format that will bring more players in.

[kiwinurse]

We all know Alexs thoughts on this subject, is there anyone else that has any other ideas how you could turn checkers around?Maybe the abolishing of T.V. might help. lol

[George Hay]

Jan, I prefer referring to checker colors in the abstract as "black and white" regardless of the actual colors used, such as red and white. But that must be because I grew up in the era of black and white TV!
...What would you advise Bill Salot in the Strategy and Tactics section? He has asked a question I am most interested in, but I am in no way shape or form in a position to answer!
--George Hay

[kiwinurse]

Well first of all tell me George your thoughts on world qualifiers and matches,and whether you would change the format in how it is done now?And i will try and give my tuppence worth in strategy and tactics to Bill Salots topic.

[George Hay]

Jan, I am very much for the WCDF for Anglo-American Checkers. I do not want a return to the EDA and the ACF
recognizing different world champions. Without the WCDF, the world championship might still be in dispute! I think we need active WCM's, but you have a very good point in that we may be have to have WCM's every four years instead of two years. I have nothing against the FMJD, but I think it is a mistake for the WCDF to depend on the FMJD and other mind sports organizations. I think the WCDF having an association with other mind sports groups is good, but not a dependance! Tournaments for the Women's World Championship may end up being a very good thing for checkers, just
looking at the FMJD experience! If Mr. Alex decides his own challenger if his deadline passes, well the WCDF will have to decide to endorse the match or not. Looking back in 20/20 hindsight the WCDF should have been founded soon after WWII, just as the FMJD and the FIDE were. Moving up to the present, I like what Bill Salot and other checkerists are doing. Checkers just might have a future after all!
--George Hay

[kiwinurse]

Thanks George for replying.The WCDF need to be the head and not the tail,and you are right,not relying on other federations to do what they should be doing.

[Hugh Devlin]

This has just caught my eye. Jan, I fully agree with you. The World of Checkers cannot sustain there annual events. There will always be problems getting bids, just as the ACF have seen themselves in recent times. Money is not as forthcoming in these times.

With regard to the Women's title I did have discussions with a number of female players over the past 2 years (you were one of them) regarding this point. I fully recognise that bids are hard to get, and players do not have endless money to attend events, and they need a realistic schedule so that they can save money, seek sponsorship, and plan to attend these events (international one's especially).

You will note my proposal to the last WCDF GA Meeting where I took the points raised and make a proposal to hold this every 4 years, which would make them bigger and more important, where funding could accumulate into something more substantial, and where a world title would be held for a reasonable timeframe (giving proper recognition to its winner) before being up for competition again.

You will also recognise that the WCDF is a democratic organisation where the real decision making in with the GA Meeting (all affiliated bodies have a vote) and not with the Executive Board whose function is the date to day running of it.

When my proposal was put forward to the GA meeting 2011 it was counter proposed by others (see the minutes) and we've ended up with an annual event that cannot sustain the numbers (people simply cannot turn up every year), and a proposed prize fund that the WCDF simply cannot afford. I can only say I tried! Hugh.

[Danny_Alvarez]

lack of funding is a worldwide problem and not the WCDF's or anyone else's fault.....

i think we need to look at grassroots and local levels and perhaps the WCDF and the bigger federations would do well to invest in those areas...
at the moment we have the attention of our italian brethren .... if we can entice them, why not entice the brazilians ... they have a similar game and they have numerous associations and players.... (if we don't pick our game up soon, these other federations may go back to their primary variant and forget about us altogether)


let's look at our 10x10 brethren and try to achieve something resembling professionalism ...
-a curriculum
- a well promoted roster of champions
- a playing site
- junior championships (no disrespect to all female players around ....and while i fully support their cause this is far more important in the scheme of things)
-perhaps an annual speed event ( clocks of 2 minutes and/or under) and re-introduction of blindfolded and multiple simultaneous games for champions (this is purely for advertising value and nothing else)

as i said before UNITY and hard work can help. and 10x10 are a good example of how to turn things around.... they have a vibrant youth and women's population ....

[kiwinurse]

Its great you tried Hugh, thanks for trying.It just seems that the old order doesnt really want to try anything new.Probably too much effort,and yet it would be less effort and better planning to space out the qualifiers over 4 years.
Danny i understand what you are saying,but really why would Brazilian Checkers or other checker associations be interested in joining with us,when we seem to be the poor relation,with no money and very little membership in comparison.
But we could learn from the the other checker varients in how they run their organizations,where they get their funding from,how they run their matches etc.and look at doing the same.They are the ones with the hundreds or thousands of members.

[Danny_Alvarez]

World Mind Sports Games to be held at Lille, France, August 9th to 23rd



i was just emailed this by a dutch 10x10 player...... does anyone know more????

[Hugh Devlin]

Hi Danny, it seems you're well informed. At this time it can be confirmed that this is an evolving story, with Lille confirmed as the host city and the dates will be 9th - 23rd August. Lille Grand Palais will be the venue. You can have a virtual visit of the Lille Grand Palais at: http://www.lillegrandpalais.com

Further details (numbers, sponsorship, etc) are not yet available and will only emerge following a meeting between Mr. Otten (FMJD) and Mr Damiani (IMSA) next week.

[william]

WMSG in Lille !!! In August ??!!

Fortunately for me, Lille is a two hour drive from my home, and in August I will have obtained my Engineering degree and be back on board with all of my checker friends!!!

I will definitely attend this event and be proud once more to represent Scotland , and look forward to some exciting games, although after such a long break from the game I will probably finish Last

I look forward to seeing you all there my friends

William

[George Hay]

Looking back in 20/20 hindsight the WCDF should have been founded soon after WWII, just as the FMJD and the FIDE were.
--George Hay

I have to correct myself, the FIDE (World Chess Federation) was founded in France in 1924. However, it was not until
soon after WWII until the Soviet Union joined the FIDE, and the FIDE gained control of the Chess World Championship.

Danny, great scoop!

William, it will be good to see you back in competition, good luck!

--George Hay