FMJD

[Hugh Devlin]

I note that FMJD President Harry Otten resigned his position yesterday as follows:

Bennekom, 31st of December 2015

"It has been a privilege for me to serve FMJD for the past eight years of which six as your president. We have substantially increased the reach of our organization. China has become a cornerstone in draughts and the number of African member states is growing further.

For the top players we have been able to organize good tournaments with prize money that is substantially higher than eight years ago.

However, the politics of the ‘big world’ have also entered FMJD. You throw something in the air, freeze it and than start to sell it as the ‘truth’ In the mean time you try to destroy the organization and to hurt as many hard working people, all unpaid volunteers, as much as possible. The gain from this is unclear to me but maybe in the view of those people this is their way to levy them from the very bottom where they live.

When there comes a moment that all negative energy you have to deal with is much more than the positive energy you get from achieving things, the time has come to stop and count your blessings. Why enjoy your grandchildren many years less because you die too soon? Is it worth all that? The clear answer is no. That is why I have decided to resign as President of FMJD with immediate effect; this means the 1st of January 2016.

When I can continue to play a role in the further development of draughts in China and Africa, I will be all too happy to do that. It is now up to the board of FMJD to decide on next steps. You will certainly be informed soon. I wish you all well. Harry Otten, President FMJD."


An Extradorinary General Assembly will now be organised to find a successor. Harry was certainly a great enthusiast of the 100 square game, but had little time for the 64 square game. Lets hope his successor is more open minded and unify both boards going forward.

[George Hay]

Harry Otten promoted 10x10 Draughts with enthusiasm, and the FMJD has definitely benefited greatly from his leadership.
Maybe it is too much to ask of the FMJD to spend much time promoting other variations of draughts/checkers.
That is why I say again and again the WCDF is important, to promote English Draughts/American Checkers.

--George Hay

[chipschap]

Does anyone who knows the context know what this means?

"However, the politics of the ‘big world’ have also entered FMJD. You throw something in the air, freeze it and than start to sell it as the ‘truth’ In the mean time you try to destroy the organization and to hurt as many hard working people, all unpaid volunteers, as much as possible. The gain from this is unclear to me but maybe in the view of those people this is their way to levy them from the very bottom where they live."

[Alex_Moiseyev]

FMJD was founded September 14, 1947 in Paris and included originally 4 countries: France, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, today - more than 60 national federations.

FMJD Presidents:

1947 - J. H. Willems, Holland
1968 - Beppino Rizzi, Italy
1975 - Huib van de Vreugde, Holland
1978 - Piet Roozenburg, Holland
1980 - Wim Jurg, Holland
1984 - Vadim Bairamov, Soviet Union
1985 - Piet Roozenburg, Holland (interim)
1986 - Piet Roozenburg, Holland
1990 - Vadim Bairamov, Soviet Union
1991 - Chr.H. ten Haaf, Holland
1992 - Gaetano Mazzilli, Italy (interim)
1992 - Wouter van Beek, Holland
2003 - Ivan Shovkoplyas, Ukraine
2005 - Vladimir Ptitsyn, Russia
2009 - Harry Otten, Holland
2016 - ?

[john reade]

You missed out a few from the 1990's. E.g. Pieter Hildering.

[tgf]

As I recall Pieter Hildering was an Executive VP or something like that.
Both he and Mr. Otten put money, energy and business experience into FMJD. I recall mindless attacks on Mr. Hildering coming from Belorussia, I believe Mr. Otten may have been attacked too.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Does anyone who knows the context know what this means?

If you can read Dutch here is an interview which. mr. Otten gave to Netherland newspaper.


I have translation of this article on Russian. Shortly talking the reason of his resignation was long and deep conflict with several Russian players, in particular - former 10x10 World Champion Anatoly Gantwarg.

AM

[chipschap]

Thanks Alex. I don't read Russian beyond a few phrases here and there, but the Dutch isn't too hard to puzzle out (but give me French or German any time).

[George Hay]

Harry Otten is again President of the FMJD. The official letter is linked on the FMJD website and also the FMJD Facebook page.
https://fmjd.org/downloads/news/978/Har ... f_FMJD.pdf

[megamau]

I understand that the main issue were linked to the organization of the championship in Lille and in Ufa and in general with the focus on Draughts 100 instead of Draughts 64 (Brazillian / Russian).
For those interested in all the details , you can read the minutes

http://fmjd.org/downloads/news/774/2013 ... .01.07.pdf

or the letter by former president of Section-64 Vladimir Langin

https://idf64.org/2014/reference-of-the ... ir-langin/

This sparks a question, for those who know the intricacies of USA associations better than me.

Is ACF a member of FMJD ?
If I understand correctly ACF is a member of WCDF, which in turn is a "section" of the FMJD.
However as representative for USA in the FMJD website, it is mentioned ICAONA (http://www.icaona.org). Is it this a still active organization ? Would it not make more sense to merge it into ACF ?

[George Hay]

Good Questions that I don't have any answers for. I do know the ACF is a member of the WCDF and I support that.

--George Hay

[John Acker]

However as representative for USA in the FMJD website, it is mentioned ICAONA (http://www.icaona.org). Is it this a still active organization ? Would it not make more sense to merge it into ACF ?

ICAONA did hold a national tournament in 2015, though only ten players are listed on the crosstable. I know Roger Blaine has organized some US tournaments in 10x10 and Pool Checkers, though the 10x10 may have been all online.

[tgf]

Last year they started using Facebook, find Icaona

[John Acker]

https://www.facebook.com/InternationalC ... A/?fref=ts

[tgf]

According to the FMJD.org there are separate sections for Russian, Brazilian, Turkish and English checkers, my observations over the years were that the various 64-square board games wanted to boost their international presence by joining the established entity such as FMJD which was originally to promote 10x10 game only. I recall Charles Walker representing checkers some 30 years ago at FMJD assemblies. Each organization continued to govern its own affairs as they saw fit but shared a combined image. Later on the Italian (not sure) and now the Turkish checkers federations did the same. The Russians on the other hand brought in many squabbles that led to resignation of FMJD officials. Mr. Langin led the revolt to break out and create IDF64.org claiming to represent all 64-board games including Brazilian checkers which now becomes a war with Lelio Marcos who runs Brazilian section.