60^th World Congress of Chess Composition

Dresden, Germany
August 5 – August 12, 2017

30 member countries were present.

WCCT: The results of the 10^th WCCT were confirmed as final by the assembly. Selection of the themes and judging countries of the next WCCT is scheduled for the congress of 2018. The spokesman will ask the delegates to submit their suggestions throughout the next year. A potential director of the next WCCT was suggested by Russia and Ukraine; nevertheless delegates may suggest also other names to the spokesman for consideration.

WCCI: Dmitry Turevsky will be the director of the 2016-18 WCCI. Selection of the judges will start this year. As the top places in the WCCI are dominated by Russian and Ukrainian composers, to avoid complications that arose in the previous championship, the presence of judges from these countries should be minimized. Delegates are encouraged to suggest candidates for judging.

FIDE Album: The 2010-12 album was published as scheduled. Judging of the 2013-15 album is proceeding as planned; the results of the pending three sections are expected by the end of 2017 to early 2018. Indexers of the 2013-15 album have been found for five sections and the final list is expected to be ready within 2018.

Re. the appeal in the studies section, the album committee confirmed that the total scores of the entries is a sufficient piece of information for the authors and any composer may ask the section directors for the total scores of his/her own entries. The spokesman confirmed that he checked the entries with a total score of 6,5 and 7 points (54 and 53 respectively) and the eleven entries, graded with ‘1 yes & 1 maybe & 1 no’, were addressed by the director to the judges for reconsideration in the second phase. The scores of the rest entries of that group (1 yes & 2 no, 1 maybe & 2 no, 2 maybe & 1 no) did not require an action by the director. The spokesman also confirmed that he did not find any not selected entry graded with ‘2 yes & 1 no’. The conclusion of the assembly was that the rules were followed in order and no further examination of the scores is needed.

The 2016-18 album will be announced in early 2019 with a closing date in summer. Selection of directors and judges will be done throughout 2018.

Solving: New improved rules of the International Solving Contest and the World Solving Cup were agreed. The controller of the 2017-18 WSC will be Marek Kolčák.

It was agreed that norms cannot be gained in tournaments that take place in multiple locations.

The use of the Solving Tournament Manager software will be mandatory for WCSC and ECSC as well as for their open solving tournaments and the ISC (central controllers only). STM will be also used for the calculation of the quarterly solvers’ ratings.

Computer Matters: It was agreed to use the WFCC site services, already included in the current payment plan, like email addresses and sub-domains (for events).

Miscellanea: The open letter of Mr Oleg Efrosinin was discussed. It was clarified that WFCC is an affiliated organization to FIDE, included in their directory. The assembly was of the opinion that lists of title-holders should not necessarily be repeated on the FIDE site, as all affiliated organizations seem to keep track of the titles by themselves. It was also clarified that eastern countries had asked in the past to include the name of ‘FIDE’ in the titles.

Re. the World and European solving championships for youths and their possible integration to the relevant OTB events held by FIDE and ECU, a working group was created that will suggest an action plan for the future.

Re. Bedrich Formánek’s query, it was confirmed that 4^th of January should remain as the International Day of Chess Composition.

New titles:

• Grandmaster of the FIDE for Chess Compositions: Richard Becker (USA), Vyacheslav Pilchenko (RUS), Nikolay Ryabinin (RUS), Ladislav Salai Jr. (SVK)

• International Master of the FIDE for Chess Compositions: Paz Einat (ISR), Viktor Kapusta (UKR), Uwe Karbowiak (GER), Valery Kirillov (RUS), Vasil Krizhanivsky (UKR), Martin Minski (GER), Grigory Popov (RUS)

• FIDE Master for Chess Compositions: Grigory Atayants (RUS), Andrzej Jasik (POL), Sergey Khachaturov (RUS), Mark Kirtley (USA), Peter Krug (AUT), Roberto Osorio (ARG), Olivier Schmitt (FRA)

• International Solving Grandmaster of the FIDE: Marko Filipović (CRO)

• International Solving Master of the FIDE: Marek Kolčák (SVK), Danila Pavlov (RUS)

• FIDE Solving Master: Terho Marlo (FIN), Danila Pavlov (RUS)

• International Judge of the FIDE for Chess Compositions: Aleksandr Kuzovkov (RUS, threemovers and moremovers), Ladislav Packa (SVK, helpmates and fairies), Štefan Sovík (SVK, threemovers, moremovers and selfmates), Vladislav Tarasyuk (UKR, studies), Ivo Tominić (CRO, twomovers)

• FIDE Solving Judge: Luc Palmans (BEL), Ward Stoffelen (BEL)

• Honorary Master of the FIDE for Chess Compositions: Gabriel Mariz (POR), José Vinagre (POR)

14^th International Solving Contest (ISC) on 28.1.2018. The central controllers will be Axel Steinbrink and Luc Palmans.

14^th European Chess Solving Championship (ECSC) in Kaliningrad, Russia 5-7 May 2018

61^st World Congress of Chess Composition (WCCC) and 42^nd World Chess Solving Championship (WCSC) in Ohrid, Macedonia 1-8 September 2018

Solvers’ rating

The rating is an integer numerical value which shows the solving strength of a solver. A solver gains it by solving at two approved / rated tournaments.

A rating can be gained at the WCSC, ECSC, WCCC Open, or other tournaments which fulfil definite criteria.

Ratings are calculated after each tournament. A rating list is published four times a year. It is calculated on the basis of the results of solving tournaments completed (including the report) by the end of March, June, September and December. If a tournament starts in one period and is finished in another period, the ratings of solvers are taken from the rating list valid at the start of the tournament, and the tournament is included in the period when it is finished. In case that at the same tournament different tables are produced (like one extra for juniors) ratings are calculated only for the major tournament.

The Solving Tournament Manager (STM) software is used for the issue of the quarterly rating lists.

The use of the STM software is recommended for all rated solving tournaments and it is mandatory for WCSC and ECSC, as well as for their open solving tournaments and for ISC (central controllers only).

Criteria for acceptability of tournaments
at which rating can be gained

The representative (committee) has the right to confirm or not the acceptability of the tournament and determines the tournament coefficient. The final decision is approved by the WFCC.

Criteria for gaining norms

Criteria for gaining titles

(This version of the criteria was accepted at the PCCC Congress in Wageningen 2006. A small change in the criteria was accepted in Rhodes 2007. Further changes were accepted in Crete 2010 and Berne 2014.)

Rules for rating calculation

Let us assume that the participants with ratings have ratings R₁, …, R_n, and the corresponding scores are S₁, …, S_n. We define the following quantities:

If CorrCoeff < 0.6, recalculate the Slope and Intercept, but with both R_i and S_i sorted in the same order. So the new R_i is now the i-th largest rating, and the new Si is the i-th largest result. They may no longer correspond to the same solver.

A rating for a solver without a rating:
It is calculated as performance rating (PerfRat), i.e. a temporary rating achieved by the solver at the tournament. Performance rating is defined as the rating for which the expected result is the actual achieved result, using the formula:

where
Res = result of a solver achieved at a tournament Solver’s first rating is called half-rating.

At his next tournament he gets another half-rating. The average of all half-ratings is calculated and put to the rating list.

Expected result for a solver with rating: The expected result (ExpRes) is calculated for all solvers with ratings in the following way:

ExpRes = Slope · Rat + Intercept 

where

Rat = rating of the solver from the last rating list

Correction
The expected result might exceed RMAS. RMAS (round maximum achievable score) is the sum of best results of any solver in each round. This may be higher than winner’s score. In such a case we recalculate the Slope and Intercept in the following way:

where

MaxRat = the highest solver’s rating

The performance ratings and expected results are calculated the same way as before, using CorrSlope and CorrIntercept.

Change of rating (ChOfRat) is calculated from the difference between the expected result and the achieved result upon the formula:

ChOfRat = KT × (Res – ExpRes),

or in case of correction:

ChOfRat = KT × (Res – CorrExpRes),

where

KT = tournament coefficient (from 1 to 4, see Annex)

New rating is calculated using the formula:

NewRat = Rat + ChOfRat

All calculations are made to the second decimal place. Ratings are published as integers. Note that it is no longer necessary to subtract 1600 from ratings for the calculation.

Ratings are calculated after each tournament. An updated rating list is published four times a year (at 1^st January, 1^st April, 1^st July and 1^st October).

After three years of non-participation in rated tournaments, a solver will be removed from the rating (half-rating) list. Should he participate in the future, his original rating (but not half-rating) will be accepted.

ANNEX

Tournament coefficient

The representative (committee) has the right to confirm or not the acceptability of the tournament and determines the tournament coefficient.

This version of the rules was accepted at the PCCC Congress in Wageningen 2006. A change in the publication of the rating list was accepted in Rhodes 2007.

A change regarding negative NewRat was accepted in Rio 2009.

Changes of the criteria for the acceptability of tournaments at which ratings and norms can be gained were accepted in Berne 2014, in Dresden 2017, in Ohrid 2018, in Vilnius 2019, in Rhodes 2021, in the online meeting of February 2022 and in Batumi 2023.

Rating Rules, PDF (updated in October, 2023)

STATUTES

of the International Chess Composition Union

(Version Rio de Janeiro 2009, valid until the end of 2010. Based on PCCC Statutes
version Jurmala 2008.)

ICCU | Meetings of the ICCU
| Officers of the ICCU | Election of Officers
| Agenda at meetings | Proposals by Member-Countries
| Sessions | Committees | Standing
Committees | Award of titles | Requirements
for a majority | Concluding clauses
ANNEX I | ANNEX II | ANNEX
III

§ I. The International Chess Composition Union (ICCU)

1. The ICCU is an independent organization for all matters of composing and
solving of chess problems and endgames. It is democratically established and
bases itself on the principles of equal rights of her members.
To the ICCU currently belong the chess federations/chess problem societies of
those countries listed in Annex I, each of which has
the right to nominate a delegate. These delegates
together, as "ordinary Members" constitute the ICCU. They are hereinafter
referred to simply as "Members".

2. The task of the ICCU is to pay attention to all matters of international
interest in chess problems and studies.

In particular, its duties include:

1. The dissemination and encouragement of chess composition throughout the
   world.
2. The formulation of rules and guide-lines in all spheres of chess composition.
3. The arrangement of official international composing and solving tourneys.
4. The initiation of the publication of collections of general interest, etc.
5. The award of titles to especially deserving representatives of chess composition
   including solvers.

3. The ICCU supports and promotes close international cooperation between chess composers and solvers and enthusiasts of chess composition. It seeks to maintain good relations with the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE).

4. Member-federations must acknowledge and observe the Statutes, resolutions
and decisions of the ICCU. They must remit any membership and other fees promptly
within the periods specified by the Presidium. They are obliged to support the
ICCU actively in its activities.

5. The ICCU decides with a two-thirds majority on applications for admission
submitted by chess federations. It may also decide, by the same majority, that
a chess federation shall be expelled. The more detailed conditions of admission
and expulsion are laid down in Annex III.

6. The ICCU has power by a simple resolution of the membership to appoint specially
deserving retiring Members to honorary membership for life. Honorary Members
enjoy all the rights of ordinary membership except for the right to vote and
the rights to elect or be elected. Similarly, the ICCU can accord the title
of Honorary President to a President on the expiry of his term of office (Arnhem
1981).

§
II. Meetings of the ICCU

1. Once every year the President calls an ordinary meeting
which shall be organized each time by a member-country. If no member-country
is prepared to undertake the organization, the President may postpone the meeting
for one year. If in that following year no organizer can be found, the President
shall organize it himself as he sees fit.

2. An ordinary meeting shall consist of several sessions and shall occupy at
least (four) 4 and not more than (eight) 8 days of session.

3. In cases of emergency, the President in consultation with the Vice-Presidents
may call an extraordinary meeting, even between two ordinary meetings, at any
place that seems suitable to him. The President is also entitled to invite the
Vice-Presidents to a Presidium meeting for good reason.

4. The President shall invite in writing to every meeting all the member-federations
listed in Annex I. A personal invitation shall be sent
to Honorary Presidents, Honorary Members.

5. Every member-federation shall be represented at the meetings by the delegate
nominated by it in accordance with paragraph I.1. The delegate may send a deputy
in his place to individual meetings who shall then assume the same rights and
duties as the delegate Member himself. Delegates and deputies must be either
nationals of or habitually resident in the nominating country. No one person
may simultaneously represent more than one country.

6. The name of the deputy shall be notified to the President at least three
weeks before the start of the meeting. If any member-federation is quite unable
to send a delegate or a deputy, the President shall be informed without delay.

7. A quorum at any meeting shall consist of at least one-third (1/3) of the
member-federations listed in Annex I, represented by
the presence of Members. An alteration of the Statutes is nevertheless only
permissible with the presence of Members from at least half (1/2) of the member-federations
listed in Annex I.

8. The meetings shall, in principle, be held in public. However, at the request
of a Member, the ICCU may at any time decide by voting whether the public shall
be excluded from individual sessions. At such closed sessions only Members,
Honorary Presidents, Honorary Members and the Secretary of the ICCU may be present.

§
III. Officers of the ICCU

I. The President is the head of the ICCU. His task shall be to call meetings
of the ICCU, to draw up the Agenda, to take the chair at sessions, to record
the minutes of the whole meeting, and to ensure that the decisions of the ICCU
are put into effect.

2. The President also represents the ICCU in all external matters. He is responsible
for all contact between the ICCU and other organisations, in particular between
the ICCU and the
President, General Secretary and other officials of the FIDE.

3. In cases where the President is unable to discharge the duties defined in
paragraph III.2. above, he may delegate these duties to a Member of the ICCU.

4. The functions of the President given in paragraph III.1. above shall in
principle be discharged by him personally. Only in the event of an impediment
may he delegate them to a Vice-President.

5. To carry out his organisational duties, the President may avail himself
of the help of his Secretary. The Secretary is entitled to take part in all
sessions of the ICCU.

6. To support and assist the president and to represent him in the event of
a temporary impediment or at his special request, three (3) Vice-Presidents
shall be elected. If a President should die or resign during his term of office,
the 1st Vice-President shall take over all his functions until the expiry of
the term of office. In the event of the 1st Vice-President’s being unavailable
the President’s functions shall devolve on the 2nd Vice-President, and subsequently
in to the 3rd Vice-President, and then finally on to the Member most senior
in service in the ICCU.

§
IV. Election of Officers

1. Elections to the Presidium shall be held at every fourth meeting of the
ICCU. Voting shall take place for all four posts in the same year. However,
if a Presidium post falls permanently
vacant during the term of office, a special election may be held for the relevant
post, if the ICCU deems this appropriate, but the candidate elected shall serve
only for the remainder of
the original four-year period.

2. In an election year a special meeting of the ICCU shall be arranged for
the purpose of voting, not later than the penultimate day of the Congress, and
at no later than 21.00 on that
day.

3. At the opening session of the ICCU in an election year, the President shall
nominate a working party of three persons from different countries to supervise
the elections. One of the
three should normally be the Secretary. No current delegate or deputy may be
a member of this working party.

4. A delegate wishing to stand for election to the Presidium shall give his
name on paper to the working party by 22.00 on the day before the elections
are to be held. The paper must
show clearly the post or posts for which the delegate wishes to stand.

5. The working party shall display a list of the candidates for each post by
9.00 on the day of the elections. No additions shall then be made to this list,
except as provided for in paragraph
7 below. Withdrawals, however, will be permitted.

6. The election shall be held in a closed session of the ICCU. One member
of the working party (not the Secretary) shall take the chair. Each post shall
be dealt with separately, starting
with the President and continuing through the Vice-Presidents in order. The
chairman shall read out the names of the candidates for the Presidency. At this
point each of these candidates
may, if he so wishes, address the ICCU for a maximum of 10 minutes. Afterwards
there can be a discussion. The chairman shall then invite delegates to record
in secret their vote for one
of these candidates, on paper provided for the purpose. Any candidate obtaining
a majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected. Otherwise delegates
will vote again between the two candidates gaining the most votes in the first
round. In the event of a tie in the second round, the chairman shall call a
recess of not more than 10 minutes, after which the vote shall be taken again.
If the result is again a tie, the chairman shall determine the outcome by selecting
one of two folded slips of paper each bearing the name of one candidate.

7. Any candidate defeated in the vote for the Presidency may now declare his
candidature for any or all of the posts of Vice-President, if he has not already
done so. The chairman shall
read out the names of candidates for the post of 1st Vice-President. Any candidate
may address the ICCU for not more than 10 minutes, provided he has not already
spoken.

8. In the event of a tie, the same procedure shall be adopted as for the Presidency.

9. The posts of 2nd and 3rd Vice-President shall be dealt with in exactly
the same way, with previously defeated candidates being entitled to stand, and
candidates having the same right to
address the ICCU for a maximum of 10 minutes.

10. All the voting shall take place within the same session.

11. The duties of the working party shall cease as soon as the new Presidium
has been elected in its entirety.

§
V. Agenda at meetings

1. An Agenda shall be drawn up for every ordinary meeting of the ICCU, and
shall be communicated to all Members at least six (6) weeks before the start
of the meeting.

2. Each Agenda shall contain in particular the following items:

1. Verification of attendance and voting-rights.
2. Agreement of the minutes of the previous meeting.
3. Any elections which may fall due.
4. Proposals by member-countries.
5. Announcement of place for the next meeting.
6. Any other business.

§
VI. Proposals by Member-Countries

1. Any proposals by member-countries to be dealt with on the Agenda in accordance
with paragraph V.2d above must reach the President at least ten (10) weeks before
the start of the meeting. Any proposals received later, together with proposals
made by Members during a session of the ICCU, may be dealt with only under Any
other Business paragraph V2f as far as the remaining programme for the meeting
permits.

2. However a Member has the right to propose that a matter seeming to him to
be urgent shall be dealt with by the ICCU out of turn. The ICCU shall then immediately
decide on this proposal by a straight majority vote.

§
VII. Sessions

1. The sessions shall serve the discussion and consideration of the items of
the Agenda, along with the passing of resolutions by the ICCU. The chair shall
be taken by the President himself or his representative appointed in accordance
with paragraph III.4.

2. Every Member is entitled to signify his desire to speak at any time during
the meeting. The Chairman shall accord this right in the order in which he receives
the requests to speak. He also has the right to limit the time allowed to any
speaker when several have requested to speak.

3. The Chairman is also entitled to interrupt a session for good reason.

4. As soon as the ICCU has decided on the termination of a discussion, only
one further speaker each for and against a motion may be allowed. Further requests
to speak shall be refused by the Chairman as being too late.

5. English is the working language of the ICCU. Spoken and written contributions
in other languages by Members should be translated or summarized into English.

§
VIII. Sub-Committees

1. The ICCU shall either decide immediately on a proposal under discussion
or, if the nature and scope of the matter demand it, shall appoint a committee
of two to five (2-5) persons to deal with the matter outside the sessions.

2. A committee of this sort shall gather together for the ICCU all important
facts for the clarification of the matter in hand and the creation of a basis
for a decision by the ICCU. A sub-committee shall report on its work within
the appointed time, and may also put forward its own proposal(s).

3. The President has the right, without any specific decision by the ICCU,
to work in all committees of this sort.

§
IX. Standing Committees

1. For fields of work that require lengthy preparation and activity above and
beyond ICCU meetings, the ICCU is empowered to appoint standing committees.

2. The task of a committee of this sort is to go into the subject thoroughly
and to present to the ICCU concrete results and proposals for the ICCU to decide
on. Each subcommittee shall for this purpose choose a spokesman from among its
members, and convey his or her name to the President.

3. After the fulfilment of its task or for other important reasons sub-committees
appointed in accordance with paragraph VIII. or IX. may be wound up by a simple
majority vote of the ICCU.

§
X. Award of titles

1. It is a fundamental task of the ICCU to award for life the titles of:

1. Grandmaster for Chess Compositions
2. International Master for Chess Compositions,
3. Master for Chess Compositions
4. International Judge for Chess Compositions
5. International Solving Grandmaster
6. International Solving Master
7. Solving Master
8. Honorary Master of Chess Composition

2. The ICCU also decides by a two-thirds (2/3) majority on the conditions under
which these titles may be awarded.

3. The ICCU may also decide by a two-thirds (2/3) majority to introduce new
titles and determine the necessary conditions.

4. A standing Qualifications Committee
appointed in accordance with paragraph IX. 1., consisting of five (5) ICCU Members
has to decide with simple majority, whether a candidate fulfils the qualifications
for one of the above mentioned titles. The committee needs a quorum of four
(4) persons for a valid decision.

5. Concerning the more detailed qualifications for the acquisition of titles
according to this paragraph, the ICCU shall decide on a set of conditions, attached
to these Statutes as Annex II.

§
XI. Requirements for a majority

1. The ICCU shall decide with a straight majority except in cases where the
statutes expressly require a two-thirds (2/3) majority.

2. The majority shall be determined from the respective number of Members present
at and taking part in the voting. In all cases where a two-thirds (2/3) majority
is required abstention counts as a vote against.

3. The President’s vote counts equal to that of the other Member.

§
XII. Concluding clauses

1. These Statutes came into force for the first time at the meeting in Rio
de Janeiro, October 2009. They are based on the Statutes of the Permanent Commission
of the FIDE for Chess
Compositions.

2. Any alteration to these Statutes may only be carried out if approved by
a two-thirds (2/3) majority.

ANNEX
I

Re paragraph I. 1.

Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Hercegowina, Brazil, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Finland, France, Great Britain,
Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania,
Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation,
Serbia & Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine,
USA (39 members).

ANNEX
II

Re paragraph X.5.

1. For the award of FIDE-titles, the following conditions must be fulfilled:

Composing titles

a) "Grandmaster for Chess Compositions"
A problem Composer must have at least 70 problems in the Albums. For a study
composer the corresponding minimum number of studies required in Albums is 42. Title holders

b) "International Master for Chess Compositions"
A problem composer must have at least 25 problems in the Albums. For a study
composer the corresponding minimum number of studies required in Albums is 15.
(Tbilisi 1975) Title holders

c) "Master for Chess Compositions"
A problem composer must have at least 12 problems in the Albums. For a study
composer the corresponding minimum number of studies required in Albums is 8. Title holders

In counting the points, for the mentioned master titles the value of a joint
composition will be divided by the number of composers collaborating. If a composer
competes with problems as well as studies then 1 study = 1 2/3 problems.

Judging title

d) "International Judge for Chess Compositions"
Only national chess federations, national associations for chess compositions
as well as the members of the ICCU have the right to propose a member of their
chess federation as a candidate for the title "International Judge". Title holders

The standing Qualifications Committee
examines the proposal in the ICCU. The candidate has to fulfil the following
qualifications:

i) First application for the title International Judge in one section: 6
awards among them at least 4 awards in the section applied for and among them
two published abroad are needed.
ii) First application for the title International Judge in more than one section:
4 awards (among them two published abroad) in one section which must be signified
as first section and 3 awards in each other section are needed. (This means
that a candidate for 2 sections must present at least 7 awards and for 3 sections
at least 10 awards).
iii) Application for extension of the previously granted titles to other sections:
3 awards in each of those sections.

All awards mentioned above should be of international composing tourneys.

The sections to apply for are: 2#, 3#, n#, s#, h#, fairies, endgames, retros
and mathematics.

All applications must be in written form. They should be addressed to the Spokesman
of the Qualifications Committee or to the President and must be signed by the
Chess federation, the national association for chess compositions or the delegate
of the applying country. (Rotterdam 1991). [forms for applications,
pdf-file, 69 kb]

Solvers’ rating and titles

A rating is a numerical value which a solver gains by solving in two approved
tournaments.

A rating can be gained at the WCSC, WCCC-Open, or other tournaments which fulfil
definite criteria.

The rating list is published twice a year. It is calculated on the basis of
the results of solving tournaments completed (including the report) by the end
of June and the end of December.

The ICCU gives authority to a person(s) or an ICCU responsible for calculating
the ratings according to the approved formula (an Excel macro has been developed
for help).

Solving norms

Norms for the titles International Solving Grandmaster (GM), International
Solving Master (IM), Solving Master (M) can be gained if at least 5 title holders
with ratings GM 2550 / IM 2450 / M 2350 and other solvers with the obligatory
qualifying rating – 2600 for GM / 2500 for IM / 2400 for M altogether compete
at the tournament.

A norm for the title of GM / IM / M:
To obtain a norm a solver must achieve a minimum performance rating 2650 / 2550
/ 2450. He must be placed within the number of solvers with the qualifying rating
2600 / 2500 / 2400 (i.e. at least sixth place when there are six solvers with
rating min. 2600 / 2500 / 2400).

Solving titles

f) International Solving Grandmaster: A solver must gain a norm 3 times
(at least once at the WCSC or ECSC) and achieve a rating of 2600. Title
holders.

g) International Solving Master: A solver must gain a norm twice and
achieve a rating of 2500. Title holders.

h) Solving Master: A solver must gain a norm twice and achieve a rating
of 2400 Title holders.

ANNEX
III

Basic requirements for the admission and expulsion of chess federations.

1. Visible activity in the composing and solving of chess problems or studies
must exist in the country seeking admission.

2. The application must be addressed in writing by the chess federation to
the President of the ICCU. It must be accompanied by the undertaking that the
country in question will actively participate in the tasks and the pursuit of
aims of the ICCU.

3. The delegate nominated by the chess federation (Paragraph I.1. of the statutes)
must orally present his federation’s application at an ordinary meeting of the
ICCU (Paragraph II.1. of the statutes). Only then may a decision on the application
be reached.

4. If a Member is entirely absent from three successive ordinary meetings of
the ICCU, the latter is entitled to decide, in ordinary session, to expel the
chess federation which has nominated this member. The chess federation in question
must first have the opportunity to make written representations on the matter.
Provided that the due conditions are fulfilled, a resumption of representation
at a later ordinary meeting is permissible.

5. Member-federations not fulfilling the duties mentioned in § I.4, including
a failure to comply with financial responsibilities or the committing of acts
which run counter to the Statutes of the ICCU or its resolutions and decisions,
may be temporarily or definitely excluded from the ICCU by a meeting of the
ICCU, on the proposal of the Presidium.

6. When a federation is admitted or expelled, the list in Annex I must be amended
by decision of the ICCU.

• the formulation of rules and guidelines in all domains of chess composition
• the arrangement of official international composing and solving competitions
• the initiation of the publication of collections of chess compositions
  of general interest
• the awarding of titles to particularly deserving persons active in chess
  composition, including solvers and judges

• Country members are represented by a delegate appointed by the country
  member; should the delegate be unable to attend an WFCC Meeting, he or the
  country member that appointed him is entitled to nominate a temporary deputy.[3]
  Both delegates and deputies must be citizens of or habitually resident in
  the country that they represent. No one person may simultaneously represent
  more than one country member.
• Individual members represent themselves[4]

• WFCC Meeting (meeting of the representatives)[5]
• Presidium
• Auditor
• Committees

• Verification of delegates’ and deputies’ right to represent their country
  member[10]
• Verification of attendance and voting-rights
• Election of the President, the other Presidium members and the Auditors
• Admission and expulsion of members
• Acceptance of the minutes of previous meetings
• Items listed in 12 , in particular acceptance of the financial report
  for the previous business year
• Granting of titles
• Decisions about proposals by members
• Announcement of candidate venues for the subsequent meeting
• Decisions regarding modifications to the Statutes
• Decisions regarding the dissolution of the WFCC
• Decisions regarding all matters that are not reserved to other organs
• Establishment of Committees and election of Committee members
• Decisions regarding the collection of membership fees and other fees

• admission and expulsion of members
• modifications to the Statutes[13]
• dissolution of the WFCC

• Presidium elections
• Agenda items listed in 12
• the admission and expulsion of members
• the dissolution of the WFCC

• the President
• the first, second and third Vice-Presidents

• preparing the meetings
• setting up and distributing the Agenda
• inviting the members
• chairing the WFCC Meetings
• putting into effect the decisions of the WFCC Meeting
• overseeing the WFCC’s activities throughout the year
• duties listed in 12
• maintaining contact with organisations that the WFCC is in relation with
• appointing persons authorised to sign on behalf of the WFCC
• other business according to WFCC decisions

• the important facts relevant for the clarification of the decisions
• the possible options
• the arguments in favour and against each option
• the Committee’s opinion

• Financial Report: actual financial movements in the previous business
  year
• Balance Sheet: financial situation (assets and liabilities) as per the
  end of the previous business year

• whether he deems the two documents to be correct and complete
• whether he proposes to the WFCC to discharge the Presidium from financial
  liabilities resulting from the activities in the previous business year

• Financial Report for the previous business year
• Budget for the previous business year[19]
• Balance Sheet as per the end of the previous business year
• Draft Budget for the following business year

• Presentation of the Financial Report
• Balance Sheet
• Auditor’s Report
• Acceptance of the Financial Report and the Balance Sheet
• Discharge of the Presidium from financial liabilities
• Budget

Statutes
as pdf (72 kb) | forms for judge applications,
pdf-file, 71 kb

 Bedrich FORMÁNEK, Slovakia, President
 Jakov VLADIMIROV, Russia, 1st Vice-President
 Kjell WIDLERT, Sweden, 2nd Vice-President
 Milan VELIMIROVIC, Yugoslavia, 3rd Vice-President
 Günter BÜSING, Germany, Secretary
 Helmut ZAJIC, Austria, Delegate
 Ignaas VANDEMEULEBROUCKE,  Belgium, Delegate
 Fadil ABDURAHMANOVIC, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Delegate
 Josip VARGA, Croatia, Delegate
 Jaroslav BRADA, Czechia, Delegate
 Hannu HARKOLA, Finland, Delegate
 Michel CAILLAUD, France, Delegate
 David GURGENIDZE, Georgia, Delegate
 Bernd ELLINGHOVEN, Germany, Delegate
 John RICE, Great Britain, Delegate
 Byron ZAPPAS, Greece, Delegate
 Gábor CSEH, Hungary, Delegate
 Uri AVNER, Israel, Delegate
 Francesco SIMONI, Italy, Delegate
 Živko JANEVSKI, Macedonia, Delegate
 Henk le GRAND, The Netherlands, Delegate
 Wladislaw ROSOLAK, Poland, Delegate
 Mircea MANOLESCU, Romania, Deputy for Virgil Nestorescu
 Marko KLASINC, Slovenia, Delegate
 Thomas MAEDER, Switzerland, Delegate
 Jewgeni REITZEN, Ukraine, Delegate
 Newman GUTTMANN, USA, Delegate
 Attila BENEDEK, Hungary, Honorary Member

Initially 23 of the 38 member countries were represented. After the
late arrival of some delegates 26 of the 38 member countries were represented.

Zvonimir Hernitz participated in the final session as deputy for J.
Varga.

Active visitors fulfilling tasks as members of subcommittees, tourney
directors, assistant directors, etc., were: Edward STOFFELEN (Belgium),
Kenneth SOLJA (Finland), Hans GRUBER (Germany), Brian STEPHENSON, Colin
SYDENHAM (both Great Britain), Yochanan AFEK, (Israel), Marco BONAVOGLIA
(Italy), Igor VERESHCHAGIN, Andrey SELIVANOV, Anatoli SLESARENKO (all Russia).
Also several Croatian assistants worked very effectively in the background.

§1 Opening address, remembrance for deceased problemists

After words of welcome President Bedrich Formánek noted that
this was the third time that the Commission met in Pula. He expressed his
thanks for the organization of the meeting to Josip Varga and to the Croatian
Chess Federation, and then declared the meeting open.

Thereafter the President regretted the death of several prominent problemists.
The Commission paid tribute to the deceased composers Antonio Argüelles
(Spain, 27.10.1901-31.1.2000), Anatoli Kuznezov (Russia, 27.3.1902-23.7.2000),
Aki Niemelä (Finland, 24.5.1909-21.1.2000), Wallace Ellison (Great
Britain, 8.1.1911-7.10.1999), Béla Bakay (Hungary, 7.2.1913-??),
Vaclav Hebelt (Belarus, 10.12.1913-16.10.1999), Alphonse Grunenwald (France,
29.1.1916-18.05.2000), Hans-Heinrich Schmitz (Germany, 12.2.1916-4.2.2000),
Heinz Winterberg (Germany, 24.9.1920-15.10.1999), Radu Dragoescu (14.6.1921-??),
Alfreds Dombrovskis (Latvia, 19.4.1923-18.3.2000), Francisco Salazar (Spain,
28.2.1924-7.6.2000), Günter Glass (Germany, 21.5.1925-26.8.2000),
Bengt Ingre (Sweden, 5.8.1934-25.5.2000), Wladimir Erochin (Russia, 27.4.1937-15.4.2000),
Paul Joitsa (Romania, 9.11.1937-29.5.2000), Jozef Taraba (Slovakia, 26.11.1947-27.1.2000),
Yehuda Gringard (Israel, 1912-2000), Stanko Milenkovic (Yugoslavia), Tadeusz
Wronski (Poland), Waldemar Mazul (Poland, 18.10.1953-15.8.2000).

§2 Verification of Attendance and Voting Rights

Initially, 23 member countries out of 38 were represented. The meeting
was declared legal.

§3 Approval of the Netanya minutes 1999

The minutes of the 42nd Meeting in Netanya (1999) were approved with
the following correction/observation:
With regard to section 6.V.3 (FIDE-Album 1992-94) of the minutes, it
was noted that judgement of the last section was only finished on 15.6.2000.

§4 Checking of the Standing Subcommittees

1. WCCT:
U. AVNER (Spokesman), M. VELIMIROVIC, J. VLADIMIROV, B. ZAPPAS, Z.
JANEVSKI, E. REITSEN, J. RICE. Regular member J. Jelínek was not
present.

2. WCCI:
M. KLASINC (Spokesman), A. SELIVANOV, D. GURGENIDZE, K. WIDLERT, V.
MELNICHENKO, Z. HERNITZ

3. WCSC:
M. KLASINC (Spokesman), U. AVNER, J. VLADIMIROV, V. MELNICHENKO, M.
KOVACEVIC (new member), M. KOLCÁK (new member). Former spokesman
Hemmo Axt was not present

4. FIDE-album:
K. WIDLERT (Spokesman), U. AVNER, B. ELLINGHOVEN, J. RICE, A. SELIVANOV,
H. GRUBER

5. Qualifications:
I. VANDEMEULEBROUCKE (Spokesman), H. HARKOLA, M. BONAVOGLIA, M. MANOLESCU.
The regular members J. Jelínek, V. Nestorescu and K. Wenda were
not present. They were replaced for this year by M. Bonavoglia and M. Manolescu.

6. Computer Matters:
T. MAEDER (Spokesman), H. le GRAND , M. VELIMIROVIC, Z. JANEVSKI (new
member)

7. Studies:
J. ROYCROFT (Spokesman), D. GURGENIDZE, Y. AFEK, N. KRALIN, H. ALONI,
A. HILDEBRAND. Last year’s member O. Comay was not present.

8. Terminology (Dormant):
J. RICE (Spokesman), B. FORMÁNEK, A. SLESARENKO, Z. JANEVSKI,
M. DRAGOUN

9. Codex:
G. BÜSING (Spokesman), B. FORMÁNEK, C. SYDENHAM, I. VERESHCHAGIN,
K. WIDLERT

10. Presidium Election Procedure:
J. RICE, T. MAEDER. The Spokesman K. Wenda was not present this year.

11. Judging:
J. RICE (Spokesman), U. AVNER, J. ROYCROFT, A. SLESARENKO

§5 Proposals by Members

5.I Proposal by M. Kovacevic (WCSC):
Marjan Kovacevic‘s proposal to allow a female and a junior solver (under
20) to compete in the WCSC in addition to the present 4-solver-rule was
supported by the subcommittee. A discussion on practical consequences of
such an amendment ensued. Although such a broadening of the WCSC would
cause extra organisational effort which should not be institutionalised,
Hannu Harkola considered it a good idea provided the organizer feels he
can deal with the extra work. No formal decision was taken by the Commission.

5.II Proposal by Great Britain (solver norms):
Following Great Britain’s proposal to establish a system for gaining solving
norms in other tourneys than the WCSC, as submitted in 1995, the subcommittee
presented to the Commission a set of proposals identified as „Criteria
for gaining norms“,  „Criteria for gaining titles“,
„Criteria for adequateness of the tournaments at which ratings can be gained“
and „Solvers rating“ (see annex). It was pointed out that
the conditions for obtaining norms or titles are intentionally drafted such
that it is really difficult to fulfil them. The Commission should nevertheless
strictly observe the tournaments in order to avoid any possible abuse.
In the ensuing discussion, it was pointed out that there are at least two rating
systems available (Kolcák and RELO) and the question arose which system
should be used. No decision could be taken during this meeting because the mathematical
details of the systems were not available. (A paper „Rules
for rating calculation“ by Marek Kolcák is annexed to these minutes.)
A working group consisting of Marko Klasinc, Harri Hurme, Marek Kolcák
and Henk le Grand should further consider the systems and make a proposal until
next year’s meeting.
Although a formal decision could not be taken, the Commission had a
strong tendency to accept the proposal provided a suitable rating system,
which should then be officially approved by the Commission, is available.

5.III Further proposals
Further proposals were discussed in various subcommittees and are referred
to under other paragraphs of these minutes (§6 Competitions, §7
FIDE-Album, §8 Qualifications).

§6 Competitions

6.I 24th World Chess Solving Championship

Brian Stephenson selected the problems for the 24th WCSC. He and Edward
Stoffelen, assisted by Marco Bonavoglia, directed the WCSC.
The final results of the 24th WCSC were as follows:

a) Teams:
 1.  Germany 167.00 points (575 min.)
 2. Yugoslavia 156.00 (522)
 3.  Slovakia 152.00 (560)
 4.  Israel 148.50 (647)
 5.  Netherlands 146.50 (637)
 6.  Finland 155.50 (645)
 7.  Russia 144.50 (514)
 8.  Poland 143.50 (596)
 9.  Ukraine 138.50 (695)
 10. Great Britain 137.50 (594)
 11. Switzerland 130.00 (607)
 12. Czechia 130.00 (651)
 13. Romania 129.50 (685)
 14. Slovenia 129.00 (665)
 15. Croatia 115.00 (673)
 16. Macedonia 105.00 (657)
 17. Belgium 76.00 (649)

b) Individuals:
 1. Michel Caillaud (France)  82.00 points (300 min.) (World
Champion)
 2. Boris Tummes (Germany) 82.00 (308)
 3. Alexandr Azhusin (Russia) 81.50 (293)
 4. Marjan Kova?evi? (Yugoslavia) 78.50 (267)
 5. Ladislav Salai jr. (Slovakia) 78.00 (217)
 6. Michael Pfannkuche (Germany) 77.50 (334)
 7. Milan Velimirovic (Yugoslavia) 76.50 (255)
 8. Arno Zude (Germany) 75.00 (277)
 9. Valery Kopyl (Ukraine) 74.50 (344)
 10. Piotr Murdzia (Poland) 74.00 (255)
 11. Marek Kol?ák (Slovakia) 74.00 (332)
 12. Mark Erenburg (Israel) 73.50 (325)
  and 51 further participants.

6.II 6th WCCT
On behalf of the tournament director Hemmo Axt (not present), Günter
Büsing informed the Commission about the state of the tournament.
Although it was originally expected to present the final results during
this meeting, the results in three sections were still missing. Two of
the judges, who were present, confirmed to be almost ready and to present
the award very soon. One award was said to have been mailed two months
ago but had not arrived. The delegate of the corresponding country was
asked to remind the judge to resend the award.

6.III  Future WCCTs
The 7th WCCT, which will be the first to be organized under the new
judging system, will presumably be announced in 2001. Macedonia suggested
to organize it and Zivko Janevski was generally accepted by the Commission
as the tournament director.
Themes for each section are needed and must be fixed during next year’s
meeting. Uri Avner informed the Commission that the subcommittee intends
to invite specialized persons to make proposals but in addition thereto
everyone was invited to submit theme proposals directly to him. Guidelines
for what is considered a good theme were presented by John Rice. Accordingly,
a good theme should not be too easy but also not so difficult that less
talented composers are discouraged. It should further allow the composer
to introduce strategic play, and it should not be closely associated to
a preferred style of a specific country or composer.
After discussion with the delegates of the prospective countries, a
preliminary list of candidates for judging countries, with a maximum of
three sections to judge for any individual country, was established. Each
judging country needs a contact person who is responsible for the contact
between the country and the Commission. It was agreed that this contact
person should be the delegate of that country unless the country appoints
an other person.
A proposal by Marko Klasinc to organize the WCCT on a regular 3-year
basis was postponed for the time being because some experience with the
new system should be made before such a decision is taken. Jakov Vladimirov
pointed out that more judges are involved in the new system and that a
strict time table should be followed in order to assure that the tournament
will be finished within a reasonable period of time. He suggested that
the director of a section might judge in place of a country which does
not present its judgement in time. This question was given to the subcommittee
for further consideration.
The judging method was discussed, the alternatives being a) each judging
country establishes a ranking order of the competing compositions, or b)
points are given to each composition. Both systems have some advantages
and disadvantages and after consideration the subcommittee suggested to
adopt the point system. Some minor questions, e.g. whether the points given
by the individual countries, or the total point score, or only the final
ranking should be published in the award, still have to be considered.
No formal decision on the specific judging method was taken by the Commission.

6.IV WCCI
Subcommittee spokesman Marko Klasinc presented to the Commission a draft for
general rules for organizing the World Championship in Composing for Individuals. The draft (see annex) is based on the decisions taken
during the 1999 meeting and was accepted by the Commisison in a vote (20 in
favour, 3 abstentions, 0 against).
The announcement of the WCCI for the period 1998 – 2000 has been prepared
with the exception of some judges who have not yet been found. Marko Klasinc
will act as tournament director and the presidium will approve the list
of judges once it is finished.
The announcement for the WCCI 2001-2003 is also under preparation.

§7 FIDE-Album, Report by the Subcommittee

7.I FIDE Album 1986-1988
The spokesman Kjell Widlert informed the Commission that the reprint
in three languages will presumably be available by the end of 2000. Copies
of the album 1989-1991 are still available.

7.II FIDE Album 1992-1994
Last results arrived with the editors in June 2000. It is hoped that
the album will be published in 2001.

7.III FIDE Album 1995-1997
Work on the album is running and there is some hope that it might be
ready until 2005. John Roycroft indicated that the final number of entries
in the study section is 640 instead of the previously announced 586. He
regretted that there were many very late entries.

7.IV FIDE-Album 1998-2000
Judges and directors for this album period were selected during the
meeting. Subject to approval by the non-present candidates, the album will
presumably be announced in early 2001, with a possible closing date before
the end of 2001.

7.V Proposals
A proposal to divide the helpmate section into two sub-sections was
discussed in the subcommittee. For the time being it was not deemed necessary
to divide the section because the judges nominated for the next album period
are willing to judge the whole section.
A revision of the guidelines for album judges is in preparation and
will be distributed to the directors and judges of the album 1998-2000.

§8 Qualifications

Granting of titles, proposals and report by the Qualification Subcommittee:

Ignaas Vandemeulebroucke gave a report on the work of the subcommittee.

8.I Honorary Master of Problem Chess
The subcommittee proposed to grant the title of Honorary Master of
Problem Chess to

Rui Nascimento, Portugal.

8.II International Judges
There were six applications for the title and two for extension of
the title. The subcommittee recommended to award the title of international
judge to:

Neculai Chivu, Romania, for selfmates and helpmates;
Udo Degener, Germany, for twomovers;
Ryszard Kapica, Poland, for selfmates;
Juraj Lörinc, Slovakia, for fairies;
Andrey Selivanov, Russia, for selfmates; and
Yves Tallec, France, for selfmates and helpmates.

The subcommittee further recommended to extend the title of

Hans Gruber, Germany, to studies; and of
Zvonimir Hernitz, Croatia, to twomovers and helpmates.

8.III Titles for solvers

Grandmaster in solving for

Boris Tummes, Germany

International Master in solving for

Valery Kopyl, Ukraine

FIDE Master in solving for

Peter Gvozdják, Slovakia;
Peter van den Heuvel, Netherlands;
Kari Karhunen, Finland;
Ladislav Salai jr., Slovakia;
Valeriy Semenenko, Ukraine;
Axel Steinbrinck, Germany;
Hans Uitenbroek, Netherlands;
Mitja Ukmar, Slovenia.

All the above proposals by the qualification subcommittee were accepted
by the Commission in a series of votes with a clear majority.

Norms for solvers:
Based on the results of the open solving tourneys and WCSC, norms as
follows were additionally fulfilled:

Grandmaster norms in solving for

 A. Azhusin, Russia (1st norm);
 M. Caillaud, France (2nd norm);
 V. Kopyl, Ukraine (2nd norm);
 P. Murdzia, Poland (1st norm);
 L. Salai jr., Slovakia (1st norm);

International Master norms in solving for

 K. Karhunen, Finland;
 M. Kolcák, Slovakia;
 L. Salai jr., Slovakia.

FIDE Master norms in solving for

J. de Boer, Netherlands;
V. Blokhine, Russia;
G. Cseh, Hungary;
D. Gurgenidze, Georgia;
M. Klasinc, Slovenia;
J. Kupper, Switzerland;
W. Neef, Germany;
L. Palmans, Belgium;
S. Radovic, Yugoslavia;
Y. Stepac, Israel;
M. Svrcek, Slovakia;
Z. Szczep, Poland.

§9 Codex, Report by the Subcommittee

Spokesman Günter Büsing reported to the Commission that the
subcommittee recommends the preliminary draft for an introduction as annexed
to last year’s minutes to be published provisionally, e.g. in the internet
or in the PCCC booklet as there is presently no need to modify the codex.
The subcommittee intends to keep the working of the codex under review
and to take account of any criticism or comments, which should preferably
be addressed directly to the spokesman.

§10 Computer Matters, Report by the Subcommittee

Thomas Maeder gave a report on the activities of the subcommittee for
computer matters which had concentrated on three points:

1. He referred to a proposal from Macedonia that the PCCC should officially
approve a database project for collecting personal information of problemists
(name, age, etc.) and of publications. In view of the subcommittee, this
project was not yet in a state to be approved officially although it was
considered as interesting. Zivko Janevski, who is the contact person for
the project, confirmed that the database will be generally accessible without
charges. However, the Subcommittee encourages problemists contacted by
the Macedonian team to contribute to their work. The question whether to
declare the collection should be considered again once the PCCC will have
been presented first results of the work.

2. With reference to the questionnaire related to problem collections,
distributed last year, discouragingly few responses have been received.
He suggested to distribute the questionnaire in further countries.

3. Thomas Maeder referred to the PCCC mailing list and offered to provide
further mailing lists, e.g. for some subcommittees, if desired.

§11 Studies subcommittee

John Roycroft reported to the Commission that the studies subcommittee
had selected the "study of the year" for the years 1995, 1996, 1997. These
are studies by G. Ya. Slepyan (Szachista 1995), O. Pervakov (1st Pr. Jub.-Ty.
B. Gusev 1996) and M. Matouš (2nd Pr. ?S. Šach 1997).
John Roycroft emphasized that the purpose of the proclamation of the
study of the year is to publicise studies. He therefore asked the delegates
to maximize publicity of the studies of the year.

§12 Future Meetings and future WCSC

Invitation 2001: The invitation by the Dutch Federation to have
the meeting in Wageningen, which had been accepted during the previous
meeting, was confirmed and a date (July 28 to August 4, 2001) and location
for the event was announced by Henk le Grand.

Further Invitations: Invitations for the 2002 meeting were presented
by the Slovenian and the Ukrainian delegates. After discussion, the Ukrainian
proposal was shifted to the year 2003. The Commission decided to accept
the proposal of Slovenia to organize the meeting 2002 in Portoroz (presumably
from 31.8.-7.9.2002) and also to accept the proposal of Ukraine to have
the meeting 2003 in Truskavets.

§13 Any other Business

13.I Yochanan Afek proposed to add 2 special prizes in all solving
tourneys: a junior prize for the best under 20 solver and a veteran prize
to the best 60+ solver.

13.II Yochanan Afek noted that many players are interested in
chess composition and therefore proposed to send results of events such
as solving competitions and the „study of the year“ selection to the two
most popular internet sites: Kasparov chess and TWIC (The week in chess).
most chess players visit those sites and the material would be warmly welcome.

13.III  John Roycroft suggested that awards in quick composing
tournaments should not be taken into account by the qualification committee
in applications for the title of an international judge. The proposal was
forwarded to the qualification subcommittee.

13.IV  Marko Klasinc suggested to organize a solving show
at chess olympics or, in view of the contacts between FIDE and the Olympic
organization, even at Olympic games.

As there was no further other business, the President finally expressed
his thanks for the good work of the delegates, the Secretary, the subcommittees
and the organizers of this meeting, and then declared the meeting closed.
 
 

 Annexes:

– (Studies of the Year 1995, 1996, 1997)
– World Championship in Composing for Individuals – General
Rules
– Criteria for gaining norms & Criteria
for gaining titles
– Solvers rating & Criteria for adequateness of the tournaments
at which ratings can be gained
– Rules for rating calculation (Kolcák)
– (List of addresses)

1. The WCCI is organized with the authority of the PCCC – FIDE. The
championship should be announced in advance.

2. The WCCI is open to all composers from all member federations of
the FIDE.

3. The WCCI includes the following sections: a) Twomovers, b) Threemovers,
c) Moremovers, d) Endgame studies, e) Helpmates, f) Selfmates, g) Fairies
and h) Retro problems.

4. Three judges in each section grade the compositions. The PCCC gives
instructions on the choice of the judges. Only competent judges, with the
title "International Judge of the FIDE for Chess Composition" will be invited
to make the awards. The final choice of the judges and the Tournament Director
lies with the PCCC. The judge cannot participate as competitor in his section,
but he is free to enter all other sections.

5. A composer may send in each section max. six compositions, published
in a defined three years period. Corrected compositions or versions may
participate in a period when they are published. Joint compositions are
not allowed. It is not allowed to send compositions for somebody else.
The best four compositions count for the final result.

6. Entries should be in five copies, stamped on uniform diagrams, with
the author’s name, publication data with eventual reward, stipulation and
full solution clearly written on the front of each diagram, and eventual
comment. The algebraic notation is to be used. Compositions should be send
to the Tournament Director. He sends them to the judges.

7. The judge gives marks to all compositions according to a 0 – 4 scale
(with the same criterion as for Album FIDE). He sends marks to the Tournament
Director. Judges may exclude incorrect or anticipated compositions from
the tourney with the agreement of the Tournament Director.

8. Tournament Director calculates the results. The final mark of the
particular composition is an average of the marks from all three judges.
The final mark is rounded on two decimals.

9. A sum of a composer’s four best compositions is calculated for his
final result. A champion in each section becomes a composer with the highest
sum of his best four compositions. In a case of equal final results the
better highest ranked composition decides. If they are still the same,
the second ranked composition decides, etc. If all compositions have the
same marks, composers share places.

10. The results of all composers are announced in the final report.
The compositions (the best four) with eventual comments should be published
for at least three best composers in each section. The three compositions
with the highest marks in a section should also be published if they not
belong to the winners. The official documents (announcement and award)
should be written in at least one of the official languages of the FIDE.
The PCCC decides about the publisher of a booklet.

11. The three best composers in each section should be awarded a Certificate
of Honour.

At least 5 solvers with the obligatory qualifying rating (2400 for FM,
2500 for IM, 2600 for GM) should compete at the tournament.

A norm for the International Solving Grandmaster of the FIDE: To obtain
a norm a solver must score at least 90 % of the winner’s points. With the
exception of the WCSC he must take the place within the number of solvers
with the rating at least 2600, but not lower than tenth place (i.e. at
least sixth place in case there are six solvers with rating 2600 or higher).
At the official WCSC a solver must take one of the first ten places regardless
the ratings.

A norm for International Solving Master of the FIDE: To obtain a norm
a solver must score at least 80 % of the winner’s points. With the exception
of the WCSC he must take the place within the number of solvers with the
rating at least 2500, but not lower than 15th place. At the official WCSC
a solver must take one of the first 15 places regardless the ratings.

A norm for FIDE Solving Master: To obtain a norm a solver must score
at least 75 % of the winner’s points. With the exception of the WCSC and
PCCC-Open he must take the place within the number of solvers with the
rating at least 2400, but not lower than within the top 40 % of the solvers.
At the official WCSC and PCCC-Open a solver must take one of the top 40
% places regardless the ratings.

International Solving Grandmaster of the FIDE: A solver must gain a
norm 3 times (at least once at WCSC) within a period of ten years.

International Solving Master of the FIDE: A solver must gain a norm
twice (at least once at WCSC or PCCC-Open) within a period of five years;
or score once 100 % of the winner’s points and qualify within the first
15 places at the WCSC.

FIDE Solving Master: A solver must gain a norm twice, or score once
100 % of the winner’s points and qualify within top 40 % places at PCCC-Open
(or at WCSC if not within first 15 places).

Rating is a numerical value which solver gains by solving in two adequately
approved tournaments.

Rating can be gained at the WCSC, PCCC-Open, or other tournaments which
fulfil definite criteria.

The rating list is published twice a year. It is calculated on the basis
of the results of the solving tournaments completed (including the report)
until the end of June and the end of December.

PCCC authorises a person(s) or a commission responsible for calculating
the ratings according to the approved formula.

At the tournament at least 10 (15 for gaining norms) solvers with ratings
from at least 3 countries should compete.

The selected compositions should be originals or alternatively unknown
published compositions. The selected compositions should show a clear theme
and a good level of quality and difficulty and should represent different
styles.

For the tournaments organized according to the WCSC rules, the full
coefficient is used to calculate ratings.

For the other tournaments one half of normal coefficient is used to
calculate ratings. In those tournaments there should be at least 12 compositions
of different types to solve. Compositions for solving can be chosen out
of seven groups: twomovers, threemovers, moremovers, endgames, helpmates,
selfmates and fairy compositions. At the tournament there must be represented
at least 5 groups with at least 2 compositions. No group can be represented
with more than 3 compositions. All compositions are valued with the same
number of points. The tournament could be divided into more rounds and/or
days.

All tournament documentation (compositions with solutions, complete
list with the results and ratings, judge’s statement on the competition
regularity and possible complaints, etc) should be sent to the responsible
PCCC representative (commission) within 30 days after the end of the competition.
The representative (commission) has the right to confirm or not the regularity
of the tournament. The final decision is approved by the PCCC.

1. For rating calculation the results from all WCSC are included since
1986, inclusive. For the first four rated WCSC (1986-1989) the performance
rating is calculated according to the mean point gain of the best 12 solvers
that corresponds to 2600 points. The performance ratings are calculated
applying direct proportion. The rating from the first four WCSC is calculated
as a mean point gain. In case disqualified compsitions appear during the
competition the performance rating is calculated with a corresponding coefficient
k.

Example:

              86         87       88       89
H.Axt   (843,99x0,94 + 933,89 + 733,33 + 513,32) = 754,79 + 1600 = 2354,79

2. For enrolment of the solver on the list participation in two rated competitions
is necessary. The first rating is equal to the average of two performance
ratings. In case disqualified compositions appear during the competition
the performance rating is calculated with a corresponding coefficient k.

3. At the competitions since 1990 the mean point gain and the mean rating
of the attended enlisted solvers is calculated. On this basis the expected
results of the solvers with rating is calculated by direct proportion.
The expected result cannot exceed the 100% result. The rating rise or fall
is the difference between the real and expected result multiplied by a
coefficient 4. In case disqualified compositions appear during the competition
the coefficient 4 is multiplied by a coefficient k.

Example:

             Bonn 92  mean point gain:     1665: 33 =  50,45
             mean rating:              27080,89: 33 = 820,63
             61,48......................   ......... 1000,00

             old        expected  real    change     performance  new      for
             rating     result    result  of rating  rating       rating   publishing

P.Perkonoja  1074,40    66,05     75      +35,80     1219,91      1110,20  2710
S.Rumjancev  946,02     58,16     74      +63,36     1203,64      1009,38  2610
G.Evseev     1182,41    72,69     74      + 5,24     1203,64      1187,65  2790
J. Rotenberg 817,52-HR  --        71      --         1154,85      1001,85  2600
             (817,52 x 0,83 + 1154,85): 1,83 = 1001,85)

4. After five years of non participation in rated competition the solver
is expelled from the rating list. For the further participation his original
rating (halfrating) is accepted.

5. All the calculations are made to the second decimal place. For publishing
use the rating is increased by 1600 points and rounded to the nearest 5
points.
 

Marek Kolcák
Bratislava, Slovakia, June 1995

Bedrich FORMÁNEK, Slovakia, President
Jakov VLADIMIROV, Russia, 1st Vice-President
Kjell WIDLERT, Sweden, 2nd Vice-President
Milan VELIMIROVIC, Yugoslavia, 3rd Vice-President
Günter BÜSING, Germany, Secretary
Helmut ZAJIC, Austria, Delegate
Anatoliy PERIVERDIYEV, Azerbayjan, Deputy for Agshin Masimov
Ignaas VANDEMEULEBROUCKE, Belgium, Delegate
Fadil ABDURAHMANOVIC, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Delegate
Josip VARGA, Croatia, Delegate
Michal DRAGOUN, Czechia, Deputy for Jiri Jelinek
Kaare VISSING ANDERSEN, Denmark, Delegate
Hannu HARKOLA, Finland, Delegate
Michel CAILLAUD, France, Delegate
David GURGENIDZE, Georgia, Delegate
Bernd ELLINGHOVEN, Germany, Delegate
John RICE, Great Britain, Delegate
Byron ZAPPAS, Greece, Delegate
László LINDNER, Hungary, Deputy for Gábor Cseh
Uri AVNER, Israel, Delegate
Francesco SIMONI, Italy, Delegate
Tadashi WAKASHIMA, Japan, Delegate
Zivko JANEVSKI, Macedonia, Delegate
Henk le GRAND, The Netherlands, Delegate
Wladislaw ROSOLAK, Poland, Delegate
Mircea MANOLESCU, Romania, Deputy for Virgil Nestorescu
Marko KLASINC, Slovenia, Delegate
Thomas MAEDER, Switzerland, Delegate
Evgeni REITSEN, Ukraine, Delegate
Mike PRCIC, USA, Deputy for Newman Guttman
Klaus WENDA, Austria, Honorary President
Barry BARNES, Great Britain, Honorary Member

Initially 25 of the 38 member countries were represented. After the late arrival
of some delegates 29 of the 38 member countries were represented.

Alexandr Feoktistov participated in the opening session as deputy for Jakov
Vladimirov. Paul Valois participated in the final session as deputy for John
Rice.

Active visitors fulfilling tasks as members of subcommittees, tourney directors,
assistant directors, etc., were:
Peter Bakker, Dirk Borst (The Netherlands), Andrey Selivanov, Nikolai Kralin
(Russia), Zvonimir Hernitz (Croatia), Marjan Kovacevic (Yugoslavia), Marek Kolcák
(Slovakia), Hans Gruber (Germany), Marco Bonavoglia (Italy), Yochanan Afek (Israel),
Alexander Hildebrand (Sweden), Harri Hurme (Finland) and John Roycroft (Great
Britain). Also several Dutch assistants worked very effectively in the background.
 

§1 Opening address, remembrance for deceased problemists

After words of welcome President Bedrich Formánek expressed his thanks for
the organization of the meeting to Henk le Grand and to the Nederlandse Bond
van Schaakprobleemvrienden, and then declared the meeting open.

Then the President announced with regret the death of several prominent problemists.
The Commission paid tribute to the deceased composers Werner Speckmann (Germany,
21.8.1913-23.2.2001), Jaroslav Brada (Czechia, 26.5.1925-10.2.2001), Johan Hubert
Vlengals (The Netherlands, 24.3.1921-10.10.2000), Cornelis de Toom (The Netherlands,
7.10.1917-23.3.2001), Vilmos Schneider (Hungary, 5.1.1933-26.3.2001), Thomas
Russel (Great Britain, 27.9.1925-6.8.2000) and Colin Vaughan (Great Britain,
18.5.1917-6.7.2001).

§2 Verification of Attendance and Voting Rights

Initially, 25 member countries out of 38 were represented. The meeting was
declared legal.

§3 Approval of the Pula minutes 2000

The minutes of the 43rd Meeting in Pula (2000) were approved with the following
correction concerning §7.I:
The assistants to the 24th WCSC were Neal Turner and Christopher Jones.

§4 Checking of the Standing Subcommittees

1. WCCT:
U. AVNER (Spokesman), M. VELIMIROVIC, J. VLADIMIROV, B. ZAPPAS, Z. JANEVSKI,
E. REITSEN, J. RICE, B. ELLINGHOVEN (new member)

2. WCCI:
M. KLASINC (Spokesman), A. SELIVANOV, D. GURGENIDZE, K. WIDLERT, Z. HERNITZ.
Last year’s member V. Melnichenko was not present.

3. WCSC:
M. KLASINC (Spokesman), U. AVNER, J. VLADIMIROV, M. KOVACEVIC, M. KOLCÁK. Last
year’s member V. Melnichenko was not present.

4. FIDE-album:
K. WIDLERT (Spokesman), U. AVNER, B. ELLINGHOVEN, J. RICE, A. SELIVANOV, H.
GRUBER. K. Solja also took part in the work.

5. Qualifications:
I. VANDEMEULEBROUCKE (Spokesman), H. HARKOLA, M. BONAVOGLIA, M. MANOLESCU, K.
WENDA. The regular members J. Jelínek and V. Nestorescu were not present. They
were replaced for this year by M. Bonavoglia and M. Manolescu.

6. Computer Matters:
T. MAEDER (Spokesman), H. le GRAND, M. VELIMIROVIC, Z. JANEVSKI, L. LINDNER

7. Studies:
J. ROYCROFT (Spokesman), D. GURGENIDZE, Y. AFEK, N. KRALIN, A. HILDEBRAND. Last
year’s member H. Aloni was not present.

8. Terminology (Dormant):
J. RICE (Spokesman), B. FORMÁNEK, Z. JANEVSKI, M. DRAGOUN. Former member A.
Slesarenko was not present.

9. Codex:
G. BÜSING (Spokesman), B. FORMÁNEK, C. SYDENHAM, I. VERESHCHAGIN, K. WIDLERT

10. Presidium Election Procedure:
K. WENDA (Spokesman), J. RICE, T. MAEDER

11. Judging:
J. RICE (Spokesman), U. AVNER, J. ROYCROFT. Last year’s member A. Slesarenko
was not present.

§5 Proposals by Members

5.I Proposal by Denmark (Jan Mortensen)
The proposal to nominate Jan Mortensen as an Honorary Member of the Commission
was accepted by the Commission in a unanimous vote (all 27 present delegates
in favour). Kaare Vissing Andersen expressed thanks for this honor on behalf
of Jan Mortensen who, for health reasons, is no longer active as a problemist.

5.II Proposal by Israel (Titles for composing)
Günter Büsing reported to the Commission that the Presidium had discussed the
proposal submitted by Uri Avner. This proposal, in short, suggests modifying
the present system for granting the title of Grandmaster for Chess Composition
by awarding 1.4 points for each problem (not study) published in the album.
The Presidium also considered alternative possibilities for modifying the present
system; in particular:
a) maintaining the present point system but reducing the number of points required
for the title;
b) introducing the new title of a Honorary Grandmaster.
Although there was some feeling in the Presidium that the step from the title
of International Master to Grandmaster is very large (25 to 70 points), there
was no clear opinion which modification, if any, to the present system would
be best. It appeared that each of the possibilities that have been considered
has some advantage but also may cause difficulties. A general difficulty related
to each of the possibilities is the danger of title inflation, and the fact
that Grandmasters who obtained the title under the present system might feel
that the title is devalued.
Some particular problems of the possibilities were addressed:
i) the proposal as submitted by Uri Avner seems to result in practical difficulties.
Specifically, the retroactive part of the proposal requires a lot of recalculation;
ii) the introduction of a title of Honorary Grandmaster would make it difficult
for the Commission to refuse an application for this title because that might
be considered as an offence against a deserved composer, whereas acceptance
of such applications might result in title inflation.

As the Presidium had no clear opinion in favour of any one of the possibilities,
the matter was discussed in the full Commission.

In the ensuing discussion, Uri Avner argued that if there are composers in
the 50 to 70 album points range who are „really grandmasters" but do not have
the title, then something seems to be wrong with the system. He stressed that
the gap between the norms for International Master and Grandmaster is too large
and also observed an injustice between problems and studies. His proposal requires
having 50 problems in the album for reaching the norm of 70 points. Compared
to the 42 studies that are equivalent to 70 points under the present system,
there would still be a difference between study and problem but not as large
as before.

Several delegates expressed their concern about „changes with the winds", others
preferred to have more statistical information before taking a decision, and
still others considered it important to keep the level high. The President finally
summarized that obviously the general opinion of the Commisssion was not in
favour of introducing the title of Honorary Grandmaster and postponed the discussion
until the next meeting in Portoroz. The President invited everyone to send his
opinion to the Commission or write an article for the PCCC web site.

5.III Proposal by Israel (Presidential terms of office)
The proposal as submitted by Uri Avner was to limit the number of times any
one person can be elected as president to not more than two. Kjell Widlert reported
to the Commission that the Presidium (without the President taking part in that
discussion) did not support the proposal because it felt that it might be difficult
in some instances to find good candidates for presidency out of a restricted
number of eligible persons. It was not felt to be necessary to decide in advance
on a restricted period of office.

Uri Avner stood by the proposal and assumed that enough candidates would always
be available. Bernd Ellinghoven saw no need to change the system because it
is always possible to elect another president if the Commission feels that there
is a better candidate. John Rice observed that the situation in the Commission
is not comparable to various other organizations where presidents have a wide
spectrum of power, which may require more restrictive rules.

Before the Commission voted on the proposal, the President observed that the
acceptance of the proposal would imply an amendment of the Statutes and therefore
a two thirds majority was required. In the vote, the proposal was rejected (2
in favour, 15 against, 9 abstentions).

5.IV Proposal by Slovakia (Honorary Master for Chess Composition)
The proposal submitted by Bedrich Formánek to rename the present title "Honorary
Master of Problem Chess" as the more general "Honorary Master of Chess
Composition", which implies a corresponding amendment of the Statutes, was accepted
by the Commision with the necessary 2/3 majority in a vote (25 in favour, 2
abstentions).

5.V Proposal by John Rice and John Roycroft (Title of FIDE Judge)
The proposal not to accept awards made during WCCC and similar meetings or festivals
in support of applications for the title of FIDE judge when the closing date
is during that congress, meeting or festival, was generally accepted by the
Commission (no voting).

5.VI Proposal by Great Britain (solver norms)
Following Great Britain’s proposal to establish a system for gaining solving
norms in tourneys other than the WCSC, as submitted in 1995 and discussed during
the 43rd meeting in Pula 2000, the WCSC subcommittee was now satisfied with
the opinion of the experts who considered the details of the rating methods.
The system based on the documents annexed to these minutes (ANNEXES
1-3) was accepted by the Commission in a vote (19 in favour, 4 abstentions,
none against). Marko Klasinc, the spokesman of the subcommittee, expressed his
thanks to Harri Hurme and Marek Kolcák as well as the persons standing behind
them for establishing the rating system. Hannu Harkola especially mentioned
Timo Kallio as someone who was very influential when one of the systems was
created. Marko Klasinc further noted that the new system will be valid for future
events but that no retroactive application is foreseen in the accepted package.

Marko Klasinc observed that the Commission should now receive results from
solving tournaments which fulfil the criteria for gaining norms and asked to
whom these results should be given. The proposal to send the results to a working
group consisting of himself, Marek Kolcák and Harri Hurme was generally accepted.

5.VII WCSC
The spokesman of the WCSC subcommittee, Marko Klasinc, informed the Commission
that there are some proposals to change the rules for the WCSC. The material
has been collected and will be considered during the year. Presumably, a proposal
can be presented next year. Among the proposals, there are ideas to raise the
number of twomovers to 5, each scoring 3 points, and to change the order of
the rounds (e.g. not to start with the twomovers). The spokesman also reported
that a solver from Romania with an other nationality but permanently living
in Romania had been accepted as a member of the solving team. The Commission
also discussed the proposal to let juniors and/or women take part in next year’s
WCSC hors concours. The result, without a vote, was that this is acceptable
for the Commission provided the additional solvers participate unofficially.
It depends on the organizers of the event whether they offer a separate section
for juniors and/or women.

5.VIII Further proposals
Further proposals were discussed in various subcommittees and are referred to
under other paragraphs of these minutes (§6 Competitions, FIDE-Album, §7 Qualifications).

§ 6 Competitions

6.I 25^th World Chess Solving Championship

Peter Bakker, assisted by Dirk Borst, directed the 25th WCSC. The spokesman
of the subcommittee especially thanked the organizers for a perfectly run tournament.
The final results were as follows:

a) Teams:

1. Israel 142.50 points (659 min).
2. Finland 135.50 (664)
3. Poland 134.50 (706)
4. Great Britain 132.50 (720)
5. Yugoslavia 129.50 (658)
6. Germany 127.50 (691)
7. Netherlands 127.50 (693)
8. France 117.50 (694)
9. Ukraine 115.50 (710)
10. Russia 115.00 (684)
11. Slovenia 114.00 (719)
12. Japan 111.00 (688)
13. Belgium 105.00 (715)
14. Romania 103.00 (712)
15. Slovakia 98.50 (679)
16. Macedonia 85.00 (719)
17. Croatia 83.00 (720)
18. Greece 54.50 (706)
19. Italy 37.00 (716)

b) Individuals:

1. Jorma Paavilainen (Finland) 75.00 points (330 min.)
2. Piotr Murdzia (Poland) 72.00 (346)
3. Boris Tummes (Germany) 71.50 (343)
4. Noam Elkies (Israel) 70.00 (337)
5. Vladimir Podinic (Yugoslavia) 66.00 (327)
6. Michel Caillaud (France) 66.00 (347)
7. Eddy van Beers (Belgium) 63.50 (355)
8. Tadashi Wakashima (Japan) 63.00 (339)
9. Ram Soffer (Israel) 61.50 (336)
10. Jonathan Mestel (Great Britain) 61.50 (360)
10. Alexandr Azhusin (Russia) 61.50 (360)
10. Bogusz Piliczewski (Poland) 61.50 (360)
and 62 further participants.

6.II 6^th WCCT
On behalf of the tournament director Hemmo Axt (not present), Günter Büsing
informed the Commission that the tournament has been completed. The booklet
with the results had been sent to the team captains in June. Cups and diplomas
for the most successful teams and individual composers were presented during
the final banquet of this meeting. A letter from the tournament director including
suggestions for the organisation of future WCCTs was forwarded to the subcommittee.
Uri Avner, spokesman of the subcommittee, expressed his thanks to the tournament
director and his helpers but also raised harsh criticism about the awards in
some sections for not being at all satisfactory. He concluded that in future
WCCTs it might be important for the director to play a more active role and
look closer to the awards. Günter Büsing observed that the sections particularly
referred to were those from which the awards were received at a very late stage.
Additional contacts with the judges would therefore have resulted in further
delay.

6.III 7^th WCCT
The announcement of the 7th WCCT was prepared by selection of themes and judging
countries. A table showing the judging countries for each section is annexed
to these minutes (ANNEX 4). Macedonia will organize
the tournament, with Zivko Janevski acting as the tournament director. It was
suggested (and actually happened) that the themes be published on the PCCC web
site even before the official announcement was distributed.
Uri Avner raised a question about who should be responsible for answering questions
from the team captains relating to the themes. Formerly this was done by the
judges, but that is not applicable with the new system of judging. It was agreed
that, in simple cases, the tournament director and the spokesman of the subcommittee,
if possible in consultation with the person who proposed the theme, should reply.
If necessary, the other members of the subcommittee should also be involved.

6.IV WCCI
Subcommittee spokesman Marko Klasinc informed the Commission that the announcement
of the WCCI for the period 1998 – 2000 had been made in the meantime, and that
first entries had already been received. The closing date is 31.10.2001. Marko
Klasinc was optimistic that the tournament might be completed by time for next
year’s meeting, provided the judges finish their work as swiftly as expected.
According to his time table, judges should receive the entries by 1.12.2001
and should finish their work within three to four months. The individual scores
could then be calculated in April 2002 and the results (point scores, not the
compositions on which the result is based) be published on the PCCC web site.
The final result, including the compositions, could then be published in summer
2002 in a booklet. It is intended to include into the booklet four the top rated
entries of the three first placed composers in each section.

A discussion arose because Jakov Vladimirov objected to the nomination of judges
in one section. He considered these judges did not have enough experience for
judging a World Championship and should therefore be replaced by others. Marko
Klasinc replied that the most difficult task in the preparation of the announcement
of the WCCI was to find judges. He stressed that the three nominated judges
have the title of international judge, although one of them in an other section,
and he strongly objected to any changes in the list of judges. He also noted
that the announcement had already been published on the PCCC web site and that
publication in various magazines is under preparation and could no longer be
stopped. After further discussion, it was decided not to change the judges (no
vote).

6.V FIDE-Album, Report by the Subcommittee

6.V.1 FIDE Album 1986-1988
The spokesman Kjell Widlert informed the Commission that the reprint of the
album 1986-1988, including some corrections to the first edition and now in
three languages, is now available.

6.V.2 FIDE Album 1992-1994
This album has just been published and the first copies were available during
the congress. Kjell Widlert expressed his thanks to the editors for this marvellous
book. Byron Zappas said that the albums were becoming increasingly large, owing
to repetitions in theme indexes which he considered as sometimes superfluous.
He also argued that there was too much statistical material in the album. Bernd
Ellinghoven replied that the present album is the result of an agreement between
the editors, i.e. Denis Blondel and himself. He further indicated that it is
under discussion whether the present form of the album will be maintained or
whether some modifications will be made in future.

Kjell Widlert addressed one specific problem which was also related to the
qualification subcommittee: After publication of the album but before a decision
by the Commission concerning the granting of titles on the basis of this album,
four compositions therein were found to be incorrect (3 studies, one selfmate).
The question now was whether the composers of the respective compositions should
or should not get the respective album points. In the ensuing discussion, the
general opinion was that upon publication the album is finalised and must be
taken as it is. Klaus Wenda pointed to the Statutes which merely require that
a composition must be "in the album". There is no rule that the Commission
has the power to confirm or refuse compositions once they are in the album.
It was also noted that it always happened that some compositions were found
to be incorrect after publication of an album and that the points were never
withdrawn. As there was general agreement on this issue, the President concluded
that the points would be counted.

6.V.3 FIDE Album 1995-1997
The judging of the entries for this album is being done now. In two sections
(retros and studies), the judges have already finished their work. In the helpmate
section, a problem has arisen because a reserve judge has to be nominated. An
optimistic time schedule foresees publication of the album in two years, provided
the judging is ready within one year.

6.V.4 FIDE-Album 1998-2000
The announcement for this album has been delayed and will be made in the coming
autumn or winter. The closing date will be fixed after the final nomination
of all judges and directors.

§7 Qualifications

Granting of titles, proposals and report by the Qualification Subcommittee:

Spokesman Ignaas Vandemeulebroucke gave a report on the work of the subcommittee.
He presented two forms that have been drafted by the subcommittee and which
should in future be used for the application for the title of International
Judge. One form relates to personal matters of the applicant, the other form
is related to the awards submitted by the applicant. These forms are annexed
to these minutes (ANNEXES 5, 6).
A list of international judges including 180 names, about 150 thereof with addresses,
was distributed. The Spokesman stressed that this list is to be considered as
containing restricted personal data; therefore it should not be put into the
internet. To keep the list updated, any changes of addresses etc. should be
forwarded to Ignaas Vandemeulebroucke.

After evaluation of the new FIDE-album, the solving tournaments and applications
for titles, the subcommittee made the following proposals concerning grant of
titles:

7.I Grandmaster for Chess Composition
The subcommittee proposed to grant the title of Grandmaster for Chess Composition
to

Virgil Nestorescu, Romania (72,17 album points).

7.II International Master for Chess Composition
The subcommittee proposed to grant the title of International Master for Chess
Composition to

Peter Gvozdják, Slovakia (32,83 album points)
Camillo Gamnitzer, Austria (30,00)
Viacheslav Kopaev, Russia (29,75)
Harry Fougiaxis, Greece (28,67)
Colin Sydenham, Great Britain (26,50)
Zdravko Maslar, Germany (26,50)
Viktor Sizonenko, Ukraine (25,50)
Hubert Gockel, Germany (25,00)

7.III FIDE Master for Chess Composition
The subcommittee proposed to grant the title of FIDE Master for Chess Composition
to

Wieland Bruch, Germany (19,83 album points)
Marcel Tribowski, Germany (19,33)
Aleksandr Postnikov, Ukraine (16,83)
Jacques Rotenberg, France (16,25)
Andrey Frolkin, Ukraine (16,00)
Gerhard Maleika, Germany (15,50)
Francesco Simoni, Italy (15,00)
Jury Gorbatenko, Russia (14,00)
Sergey Sacharov, Russia (14,00)
Marek Kwiatkowski, Poland (13,83)
Günther Jahn, Germany (13,67)
Christian Poisson, France (13,58)
Nikita Plaksin, Russia (13,50)
Amatzia Avni, Israel (13,33)
Pavel Arestov, Russia (13,22)
Christer Jonsson, Sweden (13,17)
Martin Hoffmann, Switzerland (13,00)
Donald Smedley, Great Britain (12,67)
Nikos Siotis, Greece (12,33)
Vladimir Kos, Czechia (12,00)
Manfred Rittirsch, Germany (12,00)

7.IV International Judges
There were 4 applications for the title and one for extension of the title.
The subcommittee recommended to award the title of international judge to:

Mario Parrinello, Italy, 2#, h#
Valerio Petrovici, Romania, 2#, s#
Harold van der Heijden, Netherlands, studies
Vladimir Petrovic Sytchev, Belarus, 2#, 3#

The subcommittee further recommended to extend the title of

Zvonimir Hernitz to the sections 3# and s#.

7.V Titles for solvers

Grandmaster in solving for

Noam Elkies, Israel

FIDE Master in solving for

Eddy van Beers, Belgium;
David Gurgenidze, Georgia;
Michael McDowell, Great Britain;
Wilfried Neef, Germany.

All the above proposals by the qualification subcommittee were accepted unanimously
(except for one case where a title candidate abstained from voting for himself)
by the Commission in a series of votes.

Norms for solvers
Based on the results of the open solving tourney and WCSC, norms as follows
were additionally fulfilled:

Grandmaster norms for Solving for

Piotr Murdzia, Poland (2nd norm).

International Master norms in solving for

Vladimir Podinic, Yugoslavia;
Eddy van Beers, Belgium;
Bogusz Piliczewski, Poland;
Peter van den Heuvel, Netherlands;
Mitja Ukmar, Slovenia;
Michael McDowell, Great Britain

FIDE Master norms in solving for

Bogusz Piliczewski, Poland;
Vladimir Podinic, Yugoslavia.

§8 Computer Matters, Report by the Subcommittee

Thomas Maeder gave a report on the activities of the subcommittee for computer
matters which had concentrated on the following points:

1.The Macedonian database containing personal data of problemists (name, age,
etc.) will soon be available, in some form which is not yet clear, on the internet.

2. With regard to collections (PDB and others), very little response has been
received to the questionnaire of two years ago. Thomas Maeder considered this
as a failure of the initiative to update collections on a broad basis.

3. The subcommittee suggested that the internet might be a suitable tool for
supporting the authors of the FIDE album indexes.

4. As the condition required in the fairy section of the 7th WCCT was not supported
by currently available solving programs, the subcommittee encouraged programmers
of solving programs to add the condition to the respective programs, if possible.
(In the meantime, this has been done for "Popeye" and will presumably
also soon be included into "Chloe".)

5. The proposal of the subcommittee to consider Hannu Harkola’s website (http://www.sci.fi/~stniekat/pccc/)
as the official website of the Commission was generally accepted. The subcommittee
further suggested to provide links to other important sites, e.g. sites which
are run by magazines or national organisations.

6. The work on a standard format for exchange of chess problem data between
different programs is progressing but not yet finished. Some input concerning
studies is expected from Harold van der Heijden.

§9 Studies subcommittee

John Roycroft reported to the Commission that the studies subcommittee had
assisted the WCCT subcommittee and provided a theme for the 7th WCCT. The selection
of the study of the year for the period 1995-1997 has been delayed until the
album judges have made their decisions. He was optimistic that the results might
be available within a short time, and the result will then be given to the PCCC
internet site.

§10 Codex, Report by the Subcommittee

The subcommittee had no meeting because there was no subject-matter to be discussed.

§11 Presidium Election Procedure, Report by the Subcommittee

Klaus Wenda, spokesman of the subcommittee, presented to the Commission a draft
for a new § IV of the Statutes. The draft was discussed and modified in some
minor points, and a modification of §III.6 of the Statutes in consequence of
the amendment to § IV was also discussed. The wording of amended §III.6 and
of new §IV is annexed to these minutes (ANNEX 7). In
a vote, these amendments were accepted by the Commission (22 in favour, 1 abstention,
none against).

§12 Judging, Report by the Subcommittee

The subcommittee had no meeting, owing to other commitments.

§13 Future Meetings and future WCSC

Invitation 2002: The invitation by the Slovenian Federation to have
the meeting in Portoroz, which had been accepted during the previous meeting,
was confirmed and a date (August 31 to September 7, 2002) and location for the
event was announced by Marko Klasinc.

Invitation 2003: The invitation by the Ukrainian Federation to have
the meeting in Truskavets, which had been accepted during the previous meeting,
was confirmed. A PCCC delegation, presumably the President and the First Vice-President,
will visit Truskavets in May 2002. In reply to the question how Truskavets can
be reached, Vladislav Rosolak said that it might perhaps be possible to arrange
bus transport from Warsaw directly to Truskavets. Marko Klasinc asked whether
a reserve venue would be available in the event of Truskavets being unable to
organise the meeting. The President replied that in such a case Russia would
be in a position to organise the meeting in Sochi.

Further Invitations: At present, there are no invitations for further
meetings.

§14 Any other Business

14.I On the occassion of the 25th WCSC, the Commission expressed its
gratitude to Nicolai Dimitrov who initiated the international team solving championships.

14.II Marko Klasinc mentioned that there is a website run by Lubomir
Siran which concentrates on solving competitions (http://www.geocities.com/solvingchess/index.html).

14.III Marko Klasinc reminded the Commission that it is now time to
establish the title of international judge for solving tournaments. Lists should
be prepared with names of good and experienced judges. The matter was postponed
until next year.

14.IV Byron Zappas suggested putting on the agenda for the next meeting
how chess composition can be represented in the Chess Olympics.

As there was no further other business, the President finally noted that the
meeting took place in a friendly atmosphere and he expressed his thanks for
the good work of the delegates, the Secretary, the subcommittees and the organizers
of this meeting, and then declared the meeting closed.

Annexes:

1 Rules for rating calculation
2 Solvers rating & Criteria for acceptability of the tournaments
at which ratings can be gained
3 Criteria for gaining norms & Criteria for gaining titles
4 Table of judging countries for the 7th WCCT
5 Application form for internationl judge (personal)
6 Application form for international judge (awards)
7 Amendment of Statutes
(List of addresses)

At least 5 solvers with the obligatory qualifying rating (2400 for FM, 2500
for IM, 2600 for GM) should compete at the tournament.

A norm for the title of International Solving Grandmaster of the FIDE: To obtain
a norm a solver must score at least 90% of the winner’s points. With the exception
of the WCSC he must be placed within the number of solvers with the rating of
at least 2600 (not counting his own rating), but not lower than in tenth place
(i.e. at least sixth place when there are six solvers with rating 2600 or higher).
At the official WCSC a solver must take one of the first ten places regardless
of the ratings.

A norm for the title of International Solving Master of the FIDE: To obtain
a norm a solver must score at least 80% of the winner’s points. With the exception
of the WCSC he must be placed within the number of solvers with the rating of
at least 2500 (not counting his own rating), but not lower than 15th place.
At the official WCSC a solver must take one of the first 15 places regardless
of the ratings.

A norm for the title of FIDE Solving Master: To obtain a norm a solver must
score at least 75% of the winner’s points. With the exception of the WCSC and
WCCC-Open he must be placed within the number of solvers with the rating of
at least 2400 (not counting his own rating), but not lower than within the top
40% of the solvers. At the official WCSC and WCCC-Open a solver must take one
of the top 40% places regardless of the ratings.

Criteria for gaining titles

International Solving Grandmaster of the FIDE: A solver must gain a norm 3
times (at least once at the WCSC) within a period of ten years.

International Solving Master of the FIDE: A solver must gain a norm twice (at
least once at the WCSC or WCCC-Open) within a period of five years; or score
once 100% of the winner’s points and qualify within the first 15 places at the
WCSC.

FIDE Solving Master: A solver must gain a norm twice; or score once 100% of
the winner’s points and qualify within the top 40% places at the WCCC-Open (or
at the WCSC if not within the first 15 places).

 

This
form should be filled in as complete as possible and is to be sent, together
with the A-form and all B-forms
(one form for each tournament judged) to:

New wording of §III.6:

6. To support and assist the president and to represent him in the event of
   a temporary impediment or at his special request, three(3) Vice-Presidents
   shall be elected.

New wording of §IV:

§ IV. Election of Officers

1. Elections to the Praesidium shall be held at every fourth meeting of
   the Commission. Voting shall take place for all four posts in the same year.
   However, if a Praesidium post falls permanently vacant during the term of
   office, a special election may be held for the relevant post, if the commission
   deems this appropriate, but the candidate elected shall serve only for the
   remainder of the original four-year period.
2. In an election year a special meeting of the Commission shall be arranged
   for the purpose of voting, not later than the penultimate day of the Congress,
   and at no later than 21.00 on that day.
3. At the opening session of the Commission in an election year, the President
   shall nominate a working party of three persons from different countries
   to supervise the elections. One of the three should normally be the Secretary.
   No current delegate or deputy may be a member of this working party.
4. A delegate wishing to stand for election to the Praesidium shall give
   his name on paper to the working party by 22.00 on the day before the
   elections are to be held. The paper must show clearly the post or posts
   for which the delegate wishes to stand.
5. The working party shall display a list of the candidates for each post
   by 9.00 on the day of the elections. No additions shall then be made to
   this list, except as provided for in para. 7 below. Withdrawals, however,
   will be permitted.
6. The election shall be held in a closed session of the Commission. One
   member of the working party (not the Secretary) shall take the chair.
   Each post shall be dealt with separately, starting with the President
   and continuing through the Vice-Presidents in order. The chairman shall
   read out the names of the candidates for the Presidency. At this point
   each of these candidates may, if he so wishes, address the Commission
   for a maximum of 10 minutes. Afterwards there can be a discussion. The
   chairman shall then invite delegates to record in secret their vote for
   one of these candidates, on paper provided for the purpose. Any candidate
   obtaining a majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected. Otherwise
   delegates will vote again between the two candidates gaining the most
   votes in the first round. In the event of a tie in the second round, the
   chairman shall call a recess of not more than 10 minutes, after which
   the vote shall be taken again. If the result is again a tie, the chairman
   shall determine the outcome by selecting one of two folded slips of paper
   each bearing the name of one candidate.
7. Any candidate defeated in the vote for the Presidency may now declare
   his candidature for any or all of the posts of Vice-President, if he has
   not already done so. The chairman shall read out the names of candidates
   for the post of 1st Vice-President. Any candidate may address the Commission
   for not more than 10 minutes, provided he has not already spoken.
8. In the event of a tie, the same procedure shall be adopted as for the
   Presidency.
9. The posts of 2nd and 3rd Vice-President shall be dealt with in exactly
   the same way, with previously defeated candidates being entitled to stand,
   and candidates having the same right to address the Commission for a maximum
   of 10 minutes.
10. All the voting shall take place within the same session.
11. The duties of the working party shall cease as soon as the new Praesidium
    has been elected in its entirety.

PERMANENT COMMISSION
OF THE FIDE FOR CHESS COMPOSITIONS (PCCC)

46th Meeting in Moscow, Russia 26.07. – 02.08.2003

MINUTES

Official Participants

John Rice, Great Britain, President
Hannu Harkola, Finland, 1st Vice-President
Uri Avner, Israel, 2nd Vice-President
Kjell Widlert, Sweden, 3rd Vice-President
Paul Valois, Great Britain, Secretary

Agshin Masimov, Azerbaijan, Delegate
Aliaksandr Mikholap, Belarus, Delegate
Edward Stoffelen, Belgium, Deputy for I.Vandemeulebroucke
Fadil Abdurahmanovic, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Delegate
Josip Varga, Croatia, Delegate
Michal Dragoun, Czech Republic, Delegate
Bjørn Enemark, Denmark, Delegate
Michel Caillaud, France, Delegate
David Gurgenidze, Georgia, Delegate
Bernd Ellinghoven, Germany, Delegate
Harry Fougiaxis, Greece, Delegate
Francesco Simoni, Italy, Delegate
Tadashi Wakashima, Japan, Delegate
Vidmantas Satkus, Lithuania, Delegate
Albert Ivanov, Moldova, Delegate
Henk le Grand, Netherlands, Delegate
Wladyslaw Rosolak, Poland, Delegate
Eric Huber, Romania, Deputy for V.Nestorescu
Jakov Vladimirov, Russia, Delegate
Marjan Kovacevic, Serbia & Montenegro, Delegate
Bedrich Formánek, Slovakia, Delegate and Honorary President
Marko Klasinc, Slovenia, Delegate
Thomas Maeder, Switzerland, Delegate
Evgeny Reitsen, Ukraine, Delegate
Mike Prcic, USA ,Deputy for N.Guttman

Viktor Chepizhny Russia Honorary Member

The following countries were not represented: Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Estonia,
Hungary, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Macedonia, Mongolia and Spain.

Other people who contributed actively included: Aleksandr Artsybashev, Kozma
Osul, Nikolai Selivanov, Jana Kopyl (organisation), Yochanan Afek, Günter
Büsing, Gady Costeff, Marek Kolcák, Paz Einat, Viktor Melnichenko,
John Roycroft, Rainer Staudte, Colin Sydenham, Igor Vereshchagin and Odette
Vollenweider (Sub-Committees), Bo Lindgren, Peter Bakker and Axel Steinbrink
(WCSC), Georgy Evseev and Oleg Pervakov (Solving Show), Irina and Maria Kuzmicheva
(interpreters).

§1 Opening address

President John Rice opened the meeting and welcomed delegates and observers.
He paid particular thanks to the three members of the organising committee:
Andrei and Olga Selivanov, and Jakov Vladimirov.

§2 Tribute to Deceased Problemists

The President announced with regret the deaths of many problemists and study
experts. The following had been previous members of the Commission:

Aleksandr Pavlovich Kazantsev (Russia) (6.9.1906 – 14.9.2002)
Mircea Manolescu (Romania) (9.6.1938 – 14.3.2003)
Gino Mentasti (Italy) (15.8.1913 – 29.11.2002)
Jan Mortensen (Denmark) (13.11.1932 – 11.5.2003)

Others active as problemists were:

Roger Colas (France) (5.6.1924 – 2003)
Oleksandr Dmitrenko (Ukraine) (14.2.1943 – 21.9.2002)
Ivar Godal (Norway) (28.05.1916 – 12.03.02)
Leonid Grigorievich Iskra (Russia) (died 2002)
Paul Löschl (Germany) (21.5.1918 – 2003)
František Macek (Czech Republic) (28.3.1909 – 19.3.2003)
Yury Pavlov (Russia) (1928-2001)
Rudolf Queck (Germany) (18.10.1910 – 27.4.2003)
Giuseppe Solenghi (Italy) (11.3.1934 – 27.3.2003)
Aleksandr Toger (Israel) (8.5.1934 – 11.5.2003)
Nils G.G. van Dijk (Norway) (21.10.1933 – 17.1.2003)
Johan C. van Gool (Netherlands) (15.6.1923 – 23.8.2002)
Luigi Vitale (Italy) (5.6.1924 – 17.5.2003)
Viktor Ivanovich Vovneiko (Belarus) (1948 – 1998)
Milan R. Vukcevich (USA) (11.3.1937 – 10.5.2003)

Finally, two non-problemists:

Ken Whyld (GB, chess historian) (6.3.1926 – 11.7.2003)
Paula Benedek (Hungary), who frequently attended the WCCC with her husband
Attila.

§3
1. Verification of Attendance and Voting Rights

26 of the 38 member countries were represented at the opening. The meeting
was declared legal. 2 further delegates arrived later.

2. Application for Membership of PCCC by Lithuania

A letter was received from Vilimantas Satkus on behalf of the Lithuanian Chess
Composition Society applying for membership of the PCCC, also proposing his
son Vidmantas as delegate. The Society was founded in 1999 and publishes a quarterly
magazine Šachmatija. Lithuania was unanimously elected the 39th member
of the PCCC. 29 out of 39 member countries were now represented.

§4 Approval of the Portoroz Minutes 2002

The omission of Bernd Ellinghoven’s name from the list of official participants
as delegate for Germany was much regretted. Two names in the list of deceased
problemists on page 2 were mis-spelt. These should have read: Frits von Meyenfeldt
and Viktor Kolpakov. In the absence of further comments, the Minutes were approved
nem. con.

Footnote concerning 2002 PCCC Minutes, Item 9. A letter was received from
Igor Vereshchagin commenting on the report of the Codex Sub-Committee. As Mr
Vereshchagin was not a delegate, it was felt that his points could not be accepted
as a correction to the official Minutes. However, it should be made clear that
there was no intention to criticise the translation of the Codex into Russian,
and the phrase "and whether it might have been caused by a possibly not
quite correct translation into Russian of the official text" should have
been omitted. Also the text did not separate report and discussion clearly.
John Rice expressed regret if the phrasing had given offence, but stressed that
any criticism of the Minutes should be made through the appropriate delegate.

§5 Membership of the Standing Sub-Committees

1. WCCT: U.Avner Spokesman, B.Ellinghoven, H.Fougiaxis, M.Kovacevic,
E.Reitsen, J.Rice, J.Vladimirov

2. WCCI: M.Klasinc Spokesman, D.Gurgenidze, V.Melnichenko, A.Selivanov,
K.Widlert

3. WCSC: M.Klasinc Spokesman, U.Avner, M.Kolcák, M.Kovacevic,
J.Vladimirov

4. FIDE-Album: K.Widlert Spokesman, U.Avner, B.Ellinghoven, H.Gruber,
J.Rice, A.Selivanov

5. Qualifications: H.Harkola Spokesman, N.Kralin, A.Mikholap, F.Simoni,
O.Vollenweider

6. Computer Matters: T.Maeder Spokesman, P.Einat, B.Enemark, H.Harkola,
H. le Grand

7. Studies: J.Roycroft Spokesman, Y.Afek, G.Costeff, D.Gurgenidze, N.Kralin

8. Codex: G.Büsing Spokesman, B.Formanek, C.Sydenham, I.Vereshchagin,
K.Widlert

9. Judging: J.Rice Spokesman, U.Avner, J.Roycroft

10. Terminology: B.Formánek Spokesman, M.Dragoun, A.Slesarenko

11. Presidium Elections: J.Rice Spokesman, T.Maeder

In connection with the Qualifications Sub-Committee, Hannu Harkola pointed
out that membership was accorded on a permanent basis. Aliaksandr Mikholap was
appointed a permanent member, while N.Kralin, F.Simoni and O.Vollenweider replaced
the absent M.Bonavoglia, I.Vandemeulebroucke and K.Wenda on a temporary basis.
Hannu Harkola became Spokesman for this meeting only. Bedrich Formánek
replaced John Rice as Spokesman of the Terminology Sub-Committee.

Hannu Harkola proposed that the Presidium Elections Sub-Committee be disbanded.
The President suggested that it be reconstituted if the need arose. [In fact,
it was required this time, and John Rice replaced Klaus Wenda as Spokesman for
this year only].

§6 Notification of Proposals, and Sub-Committee Business

Discussion of the proposals were allocated to the Sub-Committees as follows:

6.1 U.Avner (Award of titles, from Wageningen) Qualifications
6.2 U.Avner (International Solving Tourney) WCSC
6.3 M.Klasinc (WCCT proposals 1 & 2) WCCT
6.4 M.Klasinc (Legality of positions of Fairy problems) Codex, WCCT
6.5 B.Formánek (Longest moremovers) Codex
6.6 J.Vladimirov (International Judge title) Qualifications, Judging
6.7 J.Vladimirov (GM, IM Solving titles) WCSC
6.8 J.Vladimirov (Presidium elections) Presidium Elections
6.9 J.Roycroft (IJ title for studies) Qualifications, Judging, Computer Matters

The President reminded delegates that they were required to send in any proposal
to him, 10 weeks in advance of Commission meetings, in English.

The Spokesmen for each Sub-Committee then outlined the work that was to be
carried out, and a timetable for meetings was drawn up.

§7 Brief Reports by Delegates on activities during
2002-2003

As a new feature, delegates were invited to report on activities in their country
during the last year. The following delegates spoke:

Great Britain (J.Rice). A successful residential weekend had been held
in April 2003 at Pitlochry in Scotland. Russia (J.Vladimirov). Two solving
tourneys with prize funds of $10,000 each had been organised by the Russian
Chess Federation in conjunction with FIDE and Argumenty i Fakty respectively;
the winners were O.Pervakov and G.Evseev. Uralsky Problemist produced
5 new books during the year and J.Vladimirov’s 1000 chess studies was published. Ukraine (E.Reitsen). The 6th annual volume (2002) and 3rd Album (1996-2000)
covering Ukrainian chess composition had been published. Slovakia (B.Formánek).
The Slovak Chess Problem Organisation celebrated its 50th anniversary, but the
lack of young solvers and composers was regretted. Germany (B.Ellinghoven).
The usual meetings and Solving Championship had been staged and Editions
feenschach-phénix had published 2 books. Sweden (K.Widlert). Springaren published an original by Anders Olson, at 102 probably the
world’s oldest composer. France (M.Caillaud). The usual meeting at Messigny
took place. Pascal Wassong has released a new version of NATCH, his program
for testing proof games, while Christian Poisson continues to develop his database
program WINCHLOE, now including some analysis of themes. Moldova (A.Ivanov).
The Al’bom Moldovy was published during 2002.

§8 Sub-Committees: Reports and Discussion

1. WCCT (World Chess Composition Tourney)

The 7th WCCT was making good progress under Director Zivko Janevski, and was
currently at the protest stage. It was mentioned that all entries have been
published on the websites of Kotešovec and MatPlus. 38 countries were participating.
Spokesman Uri Avner reported that Bosnia-Hercegovina had declined to be a judge
in the Helpmate section, and had to replaced by the reserve country, Great Britain;
USA would now be the reserve country. The death of Mircea Manolescu meant that
Romania could no longer be a judge in the #3 section. As the reserve country
Italy was reluctant to fill the gap, the USA was selected as judge, with Russia
as reserve. Uri Avner stressed that each country should approach judging as
seriously as possible, to ensure the best result. He reminded country judges
about the option of adding + (plus) and – (minus) to the scores, which will
help to reduce ties. John Rice suggested that this new method needed to be reviewed
once the 7th WCCT was over.

Proposal 6.4: Legality of positions of Fairy problems. Marko Klasinc
was unhappy that in the last three WCCTs, problems with obviously illegal positions
were allowed to participate in sections featuring problems with Fairy conditions.
He put forward proposed amendments to the Codex and the Rules for the WCCT,
requiring legality of the diagram position whenever a proof game is possible
(played according to the fairy condition in question).

The WCCT Sub-Committee expressed its view that a general rule requiring the
legality of position for fairy problems was undesirable for many reasons. Apart
from technical problems in implementing the proposal, the sub-committee felt
it is not the business of the PCCC to interfere with free development in the
Fairy-Chess field. They felt that a generalised restriction of this kind might
be at odds with the spirit of nonconformity that singles out this domain. The
Codex Sub-Committee felt that no changes should be made to the Codex, and that
the rules of the WCCT were not their business. The proposal lapsed.

Proposal 6.3.1: Name of WCCT. Marko Klasinc proposed that "World
Chess Composition Tourney" should be changed to "World Championship
in Composing for Teams". Without any change in abbreviation, this would
bring it into alignment with the WCCI ("World Championship in Composing
for Individuals"). The WCCT Sub-Committee was not enthusiastic about the
proposal. John Rice pointed out that the Statutes would have to be changed.
Hannu Harkola said that what was at stake was a change of status to that of
a world championship. The proposal was not put to a vote.

Proposal 6.3.2: Regular time sequence for the WCCT. Marko Klasinc wished
to see a regular time sequence for the WCCT and proposed "A three year
period for one cycle of WCCT, ending in the first or second year for the new
FIDE Album". The Sub-Committee felt that there were too many practical
problems, and that flexibility was required; it was not yet known how long the
new judging system for the 7th WCCT would take. Jakov Vladimirov mentioned that
Russia had a 3-year cycle of events based on the FIDE Album cycle, but Hannu
Harkola pointed out that no previous WCCT had been completed within 3 years.
John Rice concluded the discussion by commenting that while a time cycle for
the WCCT was in general desirable, we should wait until the 7th WCCT was complete
before possibly reconsidering the matter.

2. WCCI (World Championship in Composing for Individuals)

The offer of Mike Prcic to direct the 2nd WCCI (2001-03) was gratefully accepted.
By the end of the week, a complete list of judges had not yet been compiled,
but as soon as it was it would be submitted to the President for approval. Problems
from the 6th WCCT would be allowed to compete in the 2nd WCCI, for which the
proposed closing date for entries would be end June 2004. The 3rd WCCI (2004-06)
would be announced in advance on a preliminary basis. Spokesman Marko Klasinc
said that a suggestion that WCCI results might form a basis for awarding titles
was not the business of the WCCI Sub-Committee. For the future, it was suggested
that the WCCI have the same time cycle as the FIDE-Album, perhaps using the
same judges, to save work, although John Rice said that there should be no link
apparent between the Album and the WCCI.

3. WCSC (World Chess Solving Championship)

Director Bo Lindgren announced the results of the 27th WCSC, Moscow:
Team: 1. Russia-1 158.5 pts.; 2. Germany 149; 3. Finland 139; 4. Serbia
& Montenegro 139; 5. Poland 135.5; 6. Japan 135.5. A record number of 22
countries competed. Bo Lindgren and his team were thanked for their work in
difficult conditions.
Individual: 1. Andrei Selivanov (Russia-1) 82.5 pts; 2. Georgy Evseev
(Russia-1) 76; 3. Dolf Wissmann (Netherlands) 75.5; 4. Jorma Paavilainen (Finland)
73.5; 5. Marjan Kovacevic (Serbia & Montenegro) 73; 6. Tadashi Wakashima
(Japan) 72.

Proposal 6.6: GM and IM titles for Solving. Jakov Vladimirov proposed
that the obligatory requirement to compete in the WCSC to gain these titles
be dropped. He pointed out that the recipients of comparable titles (over-the-board;
composers) were not obliged to compete in a World Championship. The Sub-Committee
felt that we were in a different situation to the practical game and that no
change was necessary.

Proposal 6.2: International Solving Contest. Uri Avner proposed that
the PCCC should organise an international solving tourney to take place in many
countries simultaneously. A full discussion took place, with some comments referring
back to Proposal 6.6. Marjan Kovacevic felt that this new tourney should be
unofficial, for fun, without titles. Many solving competitions were organised
in his country, including at the recent European Junior Rapidplay Championships
in Budva. Also there was a virtual circus of national championships (Germany,
Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia etc) in the summer at which FIDE Master title
norms could be gained. A European Championship and a Balkaniad had been mooted.
Aliaksandr Mikholap supported the proposed tourney as many solvers had no opportunity
to get to the WCSC and compete for titles, while Jakov Vladimirov mentioned
the distance problems hindering many solvers in his country. Uri Avner said
that his idea was in part to allow solvers to compete against the very best,
a different type of competition which would not rival the WCSC. There seemed
to be general support for the proposal, and John Rice invited Uri Avner to co-ordinate
a discussion with experienced solving organisers regarding the practicalities,
with an eye to considering the proposal further at the 2004 meeting.

Spokesman Marko Klasinc discussed the responses received to a questionnaire
about the WCSC. Solvers felt that studies should remain in the WCSC, particularly
as game-playing programs were strong enough to eliminate arguments about solutions.
There was some question about the marking of variations, and it was felt that
studies with just one line and a clear conclusion were preferable. WCSC Director
Bo Lindgren commented on this year’s studies; there was doubt only about the
first one, and here the help of GM Mestel had been enlisted. John Rice said
it was desirable for the WCSC director always to have a game-playing program
to hand. Some solvers felt that the inclusion of a Fairy round in the WCSC was
desirable, as a world champion solver ought to demonstrate his ability in all
genres. John Rice said that this suggestion had been around for some time, and
it was up to the supporters of it to put forward a proposal. Regarding helpmates,
the WCSC Sub-Committee said that multi-solutions were preferable to twins. Uri
Avner recommended separate diagrams for twins.

Calculation of norms. The new rules need to be added to the Statutes
Annex as well as to the PCCC website and the Solving Website. Following a protest
from Agshin Masimov saying that the stipulation of problem 12 in this year’s
Open could not be understood, Marko Klasinc said that it was desirable to publicise
well in advance on the PCCC website which Fairy types would feature in the Open
Tourney, and that definitions should be printed on the Open Tourney sheets.
However, the Open Director should be free to select which types of Fairy problems
he wanted.

Proposal: Marko Klasinc proposed that on the sheet of paper headed
"Solvers’ rating", there should be two amendments. The words and
norms should be added, thus "Criteria for acceptability of the tournaments
at which ratings and norms can be gained". Also, wherever the phrase "WCCC-Open"
appears, the phrase if it fulfils the tournament criteria should be added.
It was desirable that in future Open Tourneys at least 5 genres should be represented
by at least 2 problems each, to ensure that participants in the Open could gain
both norms and ratings. The amendments were approved unanimously. Marko Klasinc
pointed out that this year only the German Championship was strong enough for
the granting of norms. John Rice reminded delegates that they should send Marko
full details of solving tourneys in their countries so that he could assess
the acceptability for the granting of norms.

4. FIDE Albums

FIDE Album 1995-1997. All judging was complete, but 2 sections had not yet reached
the editors. A realistic timetable was for the Album to be published in June
2004.
FIDE Album 1998-2000. The late Mircea Manolescu had been replaced as a #3 judge
by Wieland Bruch. The sheer volume of helpmate entries (over 2570) had delayed
the distribution of problems to judges. One composer had submitted his entries
very late though illness, but the Sub-Committee had decided to accept them.
The Album might appear in the summer of 2006.
FIDE Album 2001-2003. Spokesman Kjell Widlert circulated a list of proposed
directors and judges, which was deemed acceptable by the Commission.
Instructions for Directors and Judges. A new set of instructions had been prepared
and would be distributed and placed on the PCCC website.
Electronic submission of entries (as proposed by the sub-committee for Computer
Matters) might be possible for some sections as early as the 2001-3 Album.

5. Qualifications

The title of International Judge was awarded to:

Amatzia Avni (Israel) for studies
Roman Zalokotsky (Ukraine) for helpmates.

Mr Zalokotsky had previously been known as Roman Fedorovich (given name and
patronymic only). Spokesman Hannu Harkola reminded delegates that there are
now A and B forms (first distributed in Wageningen) which need to be completed
for International Judge applications. These will be sent out afresh with the
2003 minutes.

The title of FIDE Master for Solving was awarded to:

Eric Huber (Romania) 2 norms – Open Tourney, WCSC
Marko Klasinc (Slovenia) 2nd norm in Open Tourney
Srecko Radovic (Serbia & M) 2nd norm in WCSC
Ronald Schäfer (Germany) 2nd norm in German Championship
Ljubomir Širan (Slovakia) 2nd norm in Open Tourney

The title of International Master for Solving was awarded to:

Michal Dragoun (Czech Rep.) 2nd norm in German Championship
Eric Huber (Romania) 2 norms – Open Tourney, WCSC
Thomas Maeder (Switzerland) 2 norms – Open Tourney, WCSC
Bogusz Piliczewski (Poland) 2nd norm in Open Tourney
Vladimir Pogorelov (Ukraine) 2nd norm in Open Tourney

GM norms were achieved in the WCSC by D.Wissmann (2nd), B.Piliczewski and A.Selivanov
(both 1st); in the Open Tourney by T.Maeder and A.Tüngler (both 1st). First
IM norms were achieved in the Open by K.Prentos, A.Tüngler and H.Uitenbroek.
First FM norms were achieved in the WCSC by A.Mukoseev, D.Pletnev, V.Semenenko
and K.Yamada, and in the Open by K.Prentos.

Proposal 6.1: Uri Avner had proposed (Wageningen 2001) that the GM title
for Composition should be easier to gain. A modification of his proposal by
Bjorn Enemark was that the GM title should be awarded for 50 points, with problems
counting 1 point and studies 1.2 points each. Spokesman Hannu Harkola stated
that 42 composers had gained the GM title, of whom 18 were now deceased. If
the proposal were to be implemented, then a further 20 composers (7 of them
deceased) would gain the title. The Sub-Committee felt that it was best to pass
the matter over to the Commission for general discussion. John Rice said that
there was no time for an informed discussion, and that an additional session
would have to be included in the programme for 2004 to allow this topic to be
debated in full.

6. Computer Matters

A suggestion was made by Paz Einat that FIDE Album entries could be submitted
electronically. Perhaps a program could be downloaded from the PCCC website
which would allow composers to email entries to directors. This would reduce
errors in copying. The FIDE Album Sub-Committee, while appreciating the desirability
of moving towards electronic submission of Album entries, stressed that for
the time being composers should continue to submit copies on paper, and that
the use of a computer should not be made a criterion for the selection of directors
and judges. John Rice said that the Computer Matters Sub-Committee should recommend
the best technical method of electronic submission of entries.

Proposal 6.9: John Roycroft proposed that access to databases should
be a criterion for the granting of an International Judge title for studies.
The Computer Matters Sub-Committee felt that it should not be, as remoter judges
might not have such access. A list of endgame databases with links should be
listed on the PCCC website; the same should apply to solving programs.

One of the 1995-97 FIDE Album directors had published selected problems on his
website. This was seen as undesirable as it might harm sales of the printed
version.

7. Studies

The Study of the Year for 1998, 1999 and 2000 had been chosen:

• 1998: B.Gusev & K.Sumbatyan, 1 Pr= Moscow Tourney;
• 1999: N.Kralin, Pr Magadan-60;
• 2000: Y.Afek, 1 Pr= Kralin-55 JT.

Delegates were asked to supply Spokesman John Roycroft with information about
sources through which these studies could be publicized. The Sub-Committee recommended
Harold van der Heijden as Study Director for the 2001-03 FIDE Album.

8. Codex

Proposal 6.5: Longest moremovers. Bedrich Formánek reported that
two problems by Lutz Neweklowsky (Germany) claiming to be the longest moremovers
with and without promoted pieces had been displayed for some time on Vaclav
Kotešovec’s website, and he felt that the composer should now receive some
certificate in recognition of his feat. Spokesman Günter Büsing reported
that it was not the business of the Sub-Committee to consider what sort of recognition
might be given to composing achievements, and he personally was against any
sort of certificate. John Rice said that task records were the domain of magazines
and books, not of the PCCC. The matter was considered closed.

Short Threat. This topic was mentioned on page 10 of the 2002 Minutes.
It became clear that Jakov Vladimirov was in fact referring to Article 11 (Short
Solution) of the Codex as being unsatisfactory. John Rice asked Spokesman Günter
Büsing to report back next year regarding Article 11.

The Sub-Committee also considered an email from Andrew Buchanan referring to
retro problems where more than 50 moves without pawn moves or captures are required
to reach the position, or where repetition of moves is involved. The matter
requires further consideration before next year. Marko Klasinc mentioned that
in certain over-the-board situations, FIDE now allows 100 moves.

9. Judging

Proposal 6.6: Jakov Vladimirov proposed that the requirement for the
International Judge title that a judge complete two awards outside his own country
be dropped. The Judging Sub-Committee rejected the proposal, as did the Qualifications
Sub-Committee. John Rice suggested that problemists should put themselves forward
more actively as potential judges to magazine editors. The Judging Sub-Committee
felt that applicants should be allowed to include the Album and WCCI among their
6 awards. A specific proposal connected with this would be made next year.

10. Terminology

The Sub-Committee has decided to work between the Congresses, first of all
on two topics: (a) Terminology of motives (b) Terminology of basic chess composition
terms. Juraj Brabec would act as a collaborator of the Sub-Committee. Also other
collaborators willing to act on specific fields would be welcome. Offers and
proposals should be sent to Bedrich Formánek. The material will be prepared
not later than 6 weeks before the next meeting.

11. Presidium Elections

Proposal 6.8: Jakov Vladimirov proposed that "Candidates for the
posts of President and Vice-Presidents of the PCCC need not be existing delegates".
The Sub-Committee recommended rejection of the proposal, which required a two-thirds
majority to be passed. A vote resulted in 6 votes in favour of the proposal,
13 against, with 5 abstentions.

§9 Future meetings of the PCCC and future WCSC

Invitation 2004. Harry Fougiaxis, on behalf of the Greek Chess Composition
Committee, offered to hold the 47th World Congress of Chess Composition (WCCC)
and the 28th World Chess Solving Championship (WCSC) at the Creta Maris Hotel,
Hersonissos (near Heraklion), Crete, from Saturday October 2nd to Saturday October
9th 2004. Prices would be 75 Euros per person (double room, full board) or 100
Euros (single room, full board). There was a possibility that a slight reduction
of these prices might be negotiable. Some cheaper hotels were also available
in Hersonissos, and a list would be prepared for the Congress website. There
would be no overlap with the Chess Olympiad being held in September 2004. The
offer to stage the 2004 Congress in Crete was accepted unanimously.

Invitation 2005. Michal Dragoun indicated that it might be possible
next year to make an invitation for 2005 in the Czech Republic (Pardubice).

§10 Other Business

Badges. Igor Vereshchagin suggested that badges, similar to those from
FIDE, for the various titles that the PCCC awarded, be produced and sold to
title-holders. Such PCCC badges had been produced many years ago, but an example
could not be found. The question will be raised again next year if Igor Vereshchagin
is still willing to continue with the matter.

§11 Conclusion

President John Rice concluded by saying that he had been very impressed by
the work done by Sub-Committees and their spokesmen, and by the willingness
of all who had contributed to the Congress. The meeting was declared closed.

September 2003

PERMANENT COMMISSION
OF THE FIDE FOR CHESS COMPOSITIONS (PCCC)

48th Meeting in Eretria, Greece, 3rd – 10th September 2005

MINUTES

Official Participants

John Rice, Great Britain, President
Hannu Harkola, Finland, 1st Vice-President
Uri Avner, Israel, 2nd Vice-President
Kjell Widlert, Sweden, 3rd Vice-President
Paul Valois, Great Britain, Secretary

Helmut Zajic, Austria, Delegate
Luc Palmans, Belgium, Delegate
Petko Petkov, Bulgaria, Delegate
Zvonimir Hernitz, Croatia, Delegate
Bjørn Enemark, Denmark, Delegate
Michel Caillaud, France, Delegate
David Gurgenidze, Georgia, Delegate
bernd ellinghoven, Germany, Delegate
Byron Zappas, Greece, Delegate
Zoltán Laborczi, Hungary, Delegate
Francesco Simoni, Italy, Delegate
Tadashi Wakashima, Japan, Delegate
Vilimantas Satkus, Lithuania, Deputy for Vidmantas Satkus
Živko Janevski, Macedonia, Delegate
Henk le Grand, Netherlands, Delegate
Wladyslaw Rosolak, Poland, Delegate
Dinu-Ioan Nicula, Romania, Deputy for Ion Murãrasu
Jakov Vladimirov, Russia, Delegate
Marjan Kovacevic, Serbia & Montenegro, Delegate
Bedrich Formánek, Slovakia, Delegate and Honorary President
Marko Klasinc, Slovenia, Delegate
Thomas Maeder, Switzerland, Delegate
Evgeny Reitsen, Ukraine, Delegate
Mike Prcic, USA, Delegate

Klaus Wenda (Honorary President) and Michal Dragoun (Czech Republic) apologised
for absence. Anatoly Slesarenko deputised for Jakov Vladimirov (Russia) in the
third session, and Zoran Gavrilovski for Živko Janevski (Macedonia) in the final
session.

Other people who contributed actively included: Harry Fougiaxis, Nikos Kalesis,
Dimitris Kefalas, George Manetas, Pavlos Moutecidis and Costas Prentos (organisation),
Yochanan Afek, Juraj Brabec, Paz Einat, Hans Gruber, Marek Kolcák, Nikolai Kralin,
Viktor Melnichenko, Piotr Murdzia, Oleg Pervakov, Hans Peter Rehm, John Roycroft,
Andrei Selivanov, Rainer Staudte and Colin Sydenham (Subcommittees), Peter Bakker,
Christopher Jones, Axel Steinbrink and Ward Stoffelen (WCSC and Open Solving
Tourney) and Irina and Maria Kuzmicheva (interpreters).

1 Opening address

President John Rice opened the meeting and welcomed delegates and observers.
This was the first time that the Congress had taken place in the same country
two years in a row. He thanked our Greek hosts, Harry Fougiaxis and his helpers,
and in particular Nikos Kalesis and Dimitris Kefalas of the Chess Club of Koridallos.

2 Tributes

The President announced with regret the death of many persons prominent in
chess composition, in particular:

Jan Hannelius, Finland 7.12.1916 – 7.3.2005 [PCCC President 1974-86]
Friedrich Chlubna, Austria 15.4.1946 – 6.1.2005 [PCCC Secretary 1972-74]
Alexander Hildebrand, Sweden 24.12.1921 – 3.8.2005 [Former Delegate for Sweden
and Estonia]

The Commission stood in memory of them and of the following:

Vyacheslav Anufriev, Russia 1949 – 2005
Vladimir Archakov, Russia 24.9.1938 – 6.1.2005
Mike Bent, Great Britain 27.11.1919 – 28.12.2004
Dragutin Bišcan, Croatia 24.8.1923 – 14.12.2004
Eero Bonsdorff, Finland 18.10.1921 – 3.9.2004
Alex Casa, France 17.4.1932 – 8.2005
Alex Ettinger, Israel 16.8.1923 – 14.1.2005
Arpád Földeák, Hungary 8.7.1917 – 2004
Georgy Kakabadze, Georgia died 2005
Vyacheslav Kopaev, Russia 18.3.1938 – 28.5.2005
Mykola Nagnibida, Ukraine 12.6.1939 – 19.3.2005
Mihai Olariu, Romania 17.9.1920 – 1.8.2005
József Pogáts, Hungary 10.7.1928 – 2004
Konstantin Sukharev, Russia 26.2.1912 – 8.10.2004
Rolf Trautner, Germany 7.8.1939 – 7.1.2005
Lev Ulanov, Latvia 10.12.1922 – 17.6.2004
Pavel Vyoral, Czech Republic 6.4.1945 – 15.1.2005
Heinz Zander, Germany 19.3.1924 – 14.9.2004

3. Verification of Attendance and Voting Rights

30 member countries out of 39 were represented. The meeting was declared legal.
The following countries were not represented: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Hercegovina,
Brazil, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Mongolia and Spain.

4. Approval of the Halkidiki minutes 2004

There being no objections, the Minutes were approved.

5. Membership of the Standing Subcommittees

1. WCCT: U.Avner Spokesman, B.Formánek, b.ellinghoven, H. Gruber, Ž.Janevski,
E.Reitsen, J.Rice, F.Simoni, J.Vladimirov, B.Zappas

2. WCCI: P. Petkov Spokesman, D.Gurgenidze, Z.Hernitz, M.Prcic, A.Selivanov,
K.Widlert

3. Solving: M.Klasinc Spokesman, U.Avner, M.Kolcák, P.Murdzia, J.Vladimirov

4. FIDE-Album: K.Widlert Spokesman, U.Avner, b.ellinghoven, H.Gruber,
J.Rice, A.Selivanov

5. Qualifications: H.Harkola Spokesman, B. Enemark, L. Palmans, C.Sydenham,
H. Zajic (A.Mikholap, I.Murãrasu, K. Wenda)

6. Computer Matters: T.Maeder Spokesman, P.Einat, B.Enemark, Ž.Janevski,
I. Ketris, Z.Laborczi, H. le Grand (B.Stephenson)

7. Studies: Y.Afek Spokesman, D.Gurgenidze, N.Kralin, O. Pervakov, J.
Roycroft (G.Costeff)

8. Codex: [Vacant] Spokesman, B.Formanek, C.Sydenham, K.Widlert

9. Judging: J.Rice Spokesman, U.Avner, J.Roycroft

10. Terminology: B.Formánek Spokesman, J.Brabec, I. Ketris (M.Dragoun)

(Names in brackets denote members absent this year.)

Marko Klasinc resigned from the WCCI Subcommittee and the President thanked
him for his work both as Director of the WCCI 1998-2000 and as first Spokesman
of the Subcommittee. The WCSC Subcommittee was renamed the Solving Subcommittee
in view of its increased scope. Günter Büsing resigned as Spokesman of the Codex
Subcommittee. Spokesmen elected during the week were Petko Petkov (WCCI) and
Hannu Harkola (Qualifications). The Working Party for the International Solving
Competition (chairman Uri Avner, members Peter Bakker, Axel Steinbrink and Ward
Stoffelen) also met during the week.

6. Notification of Proposals, and Subcommittee Business

Discussion of the proposals were allocated to the Subcommittees as follows:

6.1 U.Avner ("Second chance" Album): FIDE-Album
6.2 b.ellinghoven (Composing tourney for beginners) for discussion in full
Commission
6.3 M.Klasinc (Solving norms at the ECSC): Solving
6.4 M.Prcic (next WCCI): WCCI
6.6 H# judges, WCCI 2001-3 (Rules for the WCCI): WCCI

As regards Proposal 6.5 (Extending the opportunities to gain norms), the President
invited everyone to discuss the ideas contained in the various documents, and
also in the 2004 brochure of GM Valentin Rudenko. He would arrange the preparation
of a document summarizing the various arguments, in advance of the 2006 Congress,
to facilitate discussion at that Congress. The question of quicker decisions
and procedures was referred to the FIDE Album Subcommittee. An article from
Honorary President Klaus Wenda regarding the WCCI was circulated to delegates.
Preliminary discussion of the 1st International Solving Competition (ISC) and
1st European Chess Solving Championship (ECSC) would take place at the Solving
Subcommittee.

7. Brief Reports by Delegates on activities during 2004-2005

Great Britain (J.Rice). The British Chess Problem Society and Chess
Endgame Study Circle continue to hold regular meetings. There was a BCPS Residential
Weekend in Derby in April, though numbers were reduced, partly though a clash
with the German Solving Championship. Russia (J.Vladimirov). The Album
Russia 2001-2003 had been published, and also the fourth in Jakov Vladimirov’s
anthology series, 1000 masterpieces of chess composition. His 1000 chess problems
had gone into a fourth edition. Ukraine (E.Reitsen). The 2004 Annual
had been published, and a copy was presented, as per tradition, to the President. Israel (U.Avner). Meetings in Tel-Aviv are held on the first Sunday of
every month. A match with Macedonia is currently in progress. Slovakia
(B.Formánek). The 50th issue of Pat a Mat had been issued. B.Formánek
had retired after 52 years as President of the Slovak Organisation for Composition
Chess, his successor being Emil Klemanic. Croatia (Z.Hernitz) A match
Saxony v Croatia in 3 sections was won by Saxony 127-107. Hungary (Z.Laborczi).
Three tourneys, Benko-75 JT, Lindner MT and Földeák MT were being conducted,
and a tourney for young composers was planned. Finland (H.Harkola). Meetings
are held every 2 weeks in Helsinki and every month in Tampere. This year Suomen
Tehtäväniekat celebrates its 75th anniversary. Finland won a composing match
against Switzerland. Greece (B.Zappas). All Congress participants were
given a booklet which included the awards in the Martoudis MT and the Dniepropetrovsk
v Thessaloniki composing match. Estonia (I.Aunver). A problem column
in a sports newspaper was the only current activity, but it was hoped to do
more. Latvia (I.Ketris). A composition website http://a8.q.nu was being
developed. Romania (D-I. Nicula). A book on Radu Dragoescu by V.Petrovici
and M.Stere had been published. A trophy named after Dragoescu was being awarded
for chess composition. USA (M.Prcic). Mike Prcic had published a collection
of Julius Buchwald’s problems.

8 Sub-Committees: Reports and Discussion

1. WCCT [World Chess Composition Tourney] (Spokesman Uri Avner)

8th WCCT. Uri Avner reported that the themes had been selected, judging duties
had been allocated to countries, and a timetable established. The current wording
of themes on the PCCC website was not yet final, but would be soon. Any subsequent
questions should be addressed to the Director, Hans Gruber. The tourney would
be announced through the PCCC website. The Director of the 7th WCCT, Živko Janevski,
had a list of email addresses for countries which were not members of the PCCC.
David Gurgenidze expressed concern that the same countries would be judging
the studies section again. A change was made when Finland offered to judge in
that section.

Marjan Kovacevic said that in discussions he had held with many problemists
before formulating his proposal [one of the documents in Proposal 6.5], much
dissatisfaction with the 7th WCCT had been expressed. He preferred a system
of ranking the best 30 entries in each section, rather than totalling judges’
marks. Uri Avner replied that his experience had been different: the new format
of the WCCT was widely appreciated and considered successful, even if improvements
could still be achieved. He thought an absolutely perfect system was an illusion,
and that the one suggested by Marjan had its own drawbacks. It was, he claimed,
much easier to give marks than to rank problems in order. The President commented
that the marks system helped to reward quality. Marjan said that there was a
weakness in that the 0-4 marking system gave an advantage to countries that
marked severely. Uri Avner replied that the Subcommittee hoped to deal with
excessive discrepancies between judging countries by giving increased powers
to the WCCT Director. In general, there would be no significant changes in procedure
between the 7th and 8th WCCTs, as alterations to the new system, if any, were
better done gradually; further experience of it was desirable too. Marko Klasinc
commented that we should begin to think about arrangements for the 9th WCCT,
so as to get into a 3-year cycle.

2. WCCI [World Championship in Composing for Individuals] (Spokesman
Petko Petkov)

WCCI 2001-2003. Director Mike Prcic distributed the award booklet for this
event, which had been completed on time. The President congratulated Mike, and
thanked him for all his work. By a unanimous vote, the results of the WCCI 2001-2003
were confirmed as final.

Future WCCI. The Subcommittee recommended that in future the WCCI should involve
only original compositions, either in a thematic tourney or with free theme.
Marko Klasinc reminded the meeting that a preliminary announcement had been
made in 2003 regarding the WCCI 2004-2006, and that we should continue with
the present system for that period. For 2007-2009 Marjan Kovacevic mentioned
an old suggestion from Milan Velimirovic to have both a thematic tourney and
one for originals, with the scores combined. Jakov Vladimirov recommended a
theme tourney only for WCCI 2007-2009, as free-theme originals were less easy
to compare. He commented that in 2006 we would be able to compare the selections
made by judges for the FIDE Album 1998-2000 and WCCI 1998-2000. Henk le Grand
said that an originals tourney for the WCCI would deprive magazines, the lifeblood
of composition, of the best work. Bernd ellinghoven suggested that for 2007-2009
we should have a combined WCCT and WCCI competition. A definite decision regarding
the WCCI was required at the 2006 Congress, and the Subcommittee would bring
forward proposals.

Petko Petkov and Jakov Vladimirov asked about the status of World Champion
titles and medals given out at the St Petersburg 1998 Congress [based on the
results of the 1989-1991 FIDE-Album]. The President said that they were of course
valid, but that the system had then been changed [the present WCCI had been
introduced at Netanya 1999]. Marko Klasinc said that we should refer to the
World Individual Championships of 1989-1991, 1998-2000, 2001-2003 without any
numeration. This had always been the intention of the WCCI Subcommittee. Marjan
Kovacevic raised the question of problems being judged more than once by different
sets of judges. Proposal 3 in his paper addressed this problem, saying that
WCCI marks should be carried over to the FIDE Album tourney.

3. Solving (Spokesman Marko Klasinc)

WCSC Director Peter Bakker announced the results of the 29th World Chess
Solving Championship, Eretria.
Team: 1.Great Britain 158½/180 pts; 2.Israel 155½ pts; 3.Finland 148½
pts; 4.Poland 148 pts; 5.Germany 145½ pts; 6.Slovakia 135½ pts. (19 countries).
Individual: 1.Piotr Murdzia (Poland) 84/90 pts; 2.Jonathan Mestel (Great
Britain) 80 pts; 3.John Nunn (Great Britain) 78½ pts; 4.Marjan Kovacevic (Serbia
& Montenegro) 78 pts; 5-6.Ofer Comay (Israel) and Michel Caillaud (France) 76½
pts. (72 solvers)

Peter Bakker had replaced Brian Stephenson, who had had to withdraw at short
notice for family reasons. The President thanked Peter and his team, and congratulated
the winners.

International Solving Competition The trial-run ISC, held in January
2005 with 262 solvers from 23 countries participating, had worked smoothly.
The three top-placed solvers were: 1.Roland Baier (Switzerland), 2.Kari Karhunen
(Finland) and 3.Michal Dragoun (Czech Republic), all with maximum points and
separated only on time. Director Ward Stoffelen was thanked for his work in
controlling this event; he indicated his willingness to continue, and announced
that the 2006 ISC would take place on 22nd January.

The Solving Subcommittee was opposed to awarding norms based on ISC results
for technical reasons – many venues, different time zones. On the other hand,
the ISC Working Party chaired by Uri Avner recommended that solvers should be
able to get one [FIDE Master] norm at the ISC, perhaps with a higher threshold
if the problems were easier than at other events. Maybe the ISC should have
two sections, for stronger and weaker solvers. Uri said that many solvers had
expressed an interest in gaining norms through the ISC. Marjan Kovacevic presented
a different point of view, that the main purpose of the ISC was popularisation,
to attract new solvers who might then move on to norm-granting events. It was
important that solvers got their results quickly. He mentioned a solving tourney
in Serbia & Montenegro held simultaneously at 4 venues with 56 solvers, with
all scores being available in one hour. Ward Stoffelen said that delay was inevitable
with the ISC, where the central controller had to ensure consistency of marking
between different countries. Zoltán Laborczi mentioned that the ISC had been
used as this year’s Hungarian Solving Championship. It was decided to defer
the question of norms to the next Congress. However, as regards solvers’ ratings,
a vote was taken on the question: "Should solving ratings be affected by the
next ISC?" This was agreed, the voting being: For 9, Against 7, Abstentions
10.

European Chess Solving Championship. The first ECSC, held in Poland
in June 2005, was a great success, being almost as strong as the WCSC. The event
was won by Finland (216 points), with Great Britain second (213½) and Serbia
& Montenegro third (201). The leading solvers were Pauli Perkonoja (Finland
– 86 points), Piotr Murdzia (84) and Marjan Kovacevic (80½). The President thanked
Director Axel Steinbrink, Piotr Murdzia (who had been the inspiration behind
the event) and his helpers for their work. No decision was reached regarding
the venue for the next ECSC. The Czech Republic offered to stage it in Pardubice
on 15th July 2006, but this was too close to the date of the 2006 Congress.
Serbia & Montenegro had offered at Halkidiki 2004 to stage the 2006 ECSC in
Belgrade, but this was now difficult. Nor was it possible to combine the ECSC
with the German International Solving Championship in 2006 or 2007. Possibly
at the next Congress a venue might be found for late 2006.

Proposal 6.3 (Solving norms at the ECSC). This proposal by Marko Klasinc
was fully supported by the Solving Subcommittee. A motion that "The ECSC should
be regarded as an appropriate means of gaining obligatory norms for the Solving
GM and IM titles" was approved by 24 votes for, 0 against, with 1 abstention.
The alterations appear at the end of these Minutes.

Other topics. Changes to the WCSC rules would be considered during the
year. Regarding criteria for solving norms, comments would be welcomed by Marko
Klasinc on the principle of "percentage of winner’s score"; when a solving tourney
is won with a high score, few norms are achieved.

4. FIDE Album (Spokesman Kjell Widlert)

FIDE Album 1998-2000. The provisional results of all sections were now known.
The President made a proposal aimed at allowing composers to be awarded titles
gained through these results at the present Congress. Delegates were offered
two options: 1. Grant all titles without condition. 2. Grant them provisionally,
to be confirmed when all Album work is complete (which will be about March 2006).
Option 1 was approved: 15 for, 7 against, 4 abstentions. Bernd ellinghoven announced
that the Album would be printed in time for the 2006 Congress.
FIDE Album 2001-2003. The closing date for entries had only just passed,
so there was little to report.
FIDE Album 2004-2006. The Subcommittee had considered ways of speeding
up the process. A suggestion that composers should rank their entries to make
judging work easier would be discussed next year. Directors and judges had now
been selected, and the 2004-2006 Album tourney would be announced during 2006,
with a closing date sometime in 2007. This time there would be separate directors
for the H#2 and Longer Helpmates sections.

Publication of problems selected for the Album on the web. The Subcommittee
were happy for points to be published on the web, but not the diagrams and solutions,
lest sales of the printed volume be affected. However, Harold van der Heijden
had specifically asked that the selected studies be put on the web, to give
the opportunity for comments on soundness and originality to be made; this was
agreed by the Subcommittee.

Entries lost in the mail. Section directors should make a list of all
entries received, to be put on the PCCC website, as a confirmation of receipt
for composers.

Proposal 6.1 ("Second chance" Album). Uri Avner proposed
such an Album, to contain compositions from the period 1951-2000 which it was
felt had been wrongly excluded from the published Albums. Most members of the
FIDE Album Subcommittee opposed the proposal; there would be a huge amount of
work involved in collecting compositions, many by deceased composers, and in
judging. The Subcommittee preferred the idea of an anthology. Marko Klasinc
supported the proposal, saying that in particular, selection of H#s, S#s, Fairies
and Retros in early Albums was unsatisfactory. Jakov Vladimirov commented that
in 10 years’ time we might have a different view of which problems deserved
to be in the Album, and Luc Palmans reminded the Commission that the FIDE Album
was a tourney judged according to standards prevailing at a particular time.
The President concluded that there was insufficient support within the Commission
for the idea. An anthology might be compiled, but it should be a private undertaking,
not a PCCC project.

5. Qualifications (Spokesman Hannu Harkola)

The title of International Judge of the FIDE for Chess composition was
awarded to:

Yakov Rossomakho (Russia) Twomovers, Threemovers

The title of FIDE Solving Master was awarded to:

Yochanan Afek (Israel)
Vlaicu Crisan (Romania)
Aleksandr Leontiev (Russia)
Dmitry Pletnev (Russia)

In addition, the following 1st norms have been achieved in various competitions:
GM: Ladislav Salai jr (Slovakia); IM: Vladimir Blokhin (Russia) and Vlaicu Crisan
(Romania); FM: Claus Czeremin (Germany), Klemen Sivic (Slovenia) and Miroslav
Voracek (Czech Republic).

As decided by the Commission, the following titles were awarded on the provisional
results of the FIDE Album 1998-2000:

The title of Grandmaster of the FIDE for Chess Composition was awarded
to:

Udo Degener (Germany)
Nikolai Kralin (Russia)
Franz Pachl (Germany)
Oleg Pervakov (Russia)

The title of International Master of the FIDE for Chess Composition
was awarded to:

Reto Aschwanden (Switzerland)
Aleksandr Bakharev (Russia)
János Csák (Hungary)
Stefan Dittrich (Germany)
Vasyl Dyachuk (Ukraine)
bernd ellinghoven (Germany)
Vaclav Kotešovec (Czech Republic)
L’udovit Lacný (Slovakia)
Jorge J.Lois (Argentina)
Mario Parrinello (Italy)
Valery Shavyrin (Russia)
Stefan Sovík (Slovakia)
George Sphicas (USA)
Sergei N.Tkachenko (Ukraine)

The title of FIDE Master for Chess Composition was awarded to:

Igor Agapov (Russia)
Michal Dragoun (Czech Republic)
Valery Gurov (Russia)
Christopher Jones (Great Britain)
Viktor Kapusta (Ukraine)
Evgeny Kolesnikov (Russia)
Thierry le Gleuher (France)
L’udovit Lehen (Slovakia)
Juraj Lörinc (Slovakia)
Yury Marker (Russia)
Waldemar Mazul (Poland)
Daniel Papack (Germany)
Philippe Robert (France)
Ladislav Salai jr (Slovakia)
Andrei Selivanov (Russia)
Sergei Smotrov (Kazakhstan)
Anatoly Stepochkin (Russia)
Sven Trommler (Germany)
Vyacheslav Vladimirov (Russia)
Peter Wong (Australia)

The FM title for Waldemar Mazul was posthumous. All titles were approved unanimously.
The President congratulated the successful title-winners. It was thought that
Yochanan Afek might be the first person to hold international titles for composing,
solving and over-the-board play.
Hannu Harkola reminded delegates that applications for International Judge should
be submitted to him in good time before the Congress, and on the correct forms
A and B.

6. Computer Matters (Spokesman Thomas Maeder)

It had been suggested by Jakov Vladimirov that the PCCC should recommend a
particular solving program to ensure consistency in its competitions, as was
done with the Album Russia. The Subcommittee suggested to the PCCC not to recommend
a particular program, mainly for two reasons: testing programs compete in a
free market which the PCCC should regulate very reluctantly if at all; and no
program is perfect (it is not even clear what "perfect" should mean
when used to qualify a testing program). Problemists are encouraged to publish
reports about their experiences with testing programs in the various magazines.
The Subcommittee also reminded problemists not to read too much into the "C+"
tag written next to a problem; in the worst case, this tag only means that somebody
had tried to use a computer to obtain some information about the correctness
of the problem.

Solving programs on handheld computers and "smart phones".
These devices are gradually merging, which makes it possible for testing programs
to be run on them. Developers are encouraged to offer their testing programs
using this technology. On the other hand, miniaturisation also allows for abuse,
especially in solving tourneys.

PCCC on the web. Currently, the web is used by the PCCC very effectively
to distribute information, mainly through its official site, but also through
others, such as the "Solving Chess" site. More recent web tools should
now be explored to offer the problem world new features (e.g. the site suggested
by Marjan Kovacevic for the publication of FIDE Album candidate problems). This
exploration would be done throughout the year, in the hope of first results
at next year’s meeting. If possible, the PCCC web site should also be reachable
through an address in the domain fide.com .

No progress had been made on the standardisation of format for the electronic
transmission of chess diagrams and solutions. Thomas said he hoped to devote
time to this during the year.

7. Studies (Spokesman Yochanan Afek)

The new Spokesman was welcomed. He reported that Oleg Pervakov had been co-opted
as a new member.

Study of the Year 2001-2003. Selection of these had been put back to
the 2006 Congress, so as to examine the studies sent as FIDE Album entries for
the period. Bjorn Enemark said that it would be better to select every year,
rather than in 3-year batches. Yochanan agreed, but felt that the title Study
of the Year committed the Subcommittee to examine thoroughly the published studies.
Perhaps a different title would be appropriate. In the meantime, delegates were
encouraged to send suitable studies to Yochanan.

8. Codex – no meeting this year.

9. Judging (Spokesman John Rice) – no meeting this year.

10. Terminology (Spokesman Bedrich Formánek)

The Subcommitee approved the article "Motifs" given with the 2004
Minutes, and its use in the definition of themes was recommended.

The definitions for the 8th WCCT were considered and approved.

During the coming year the Subcommittee would prepare an article about terminology
relating to two- and multi-phase compositions, concerning changes between phases.
The article would be available at least 6 weeks before the 2006 Congress.

The President reminded delegates that proposals for the 2006 Congress needed
to reach him by mid-May for distribution with the Agenda in early June.

9. Other Proposals

Proposal 6.2 (Composing tourney for beginners). There was general approval
for this idea put forward by bernd ellinghoven. Russia agreed to organize the
tourney; it would be announced on the PCCC website and in leading magazines,
and the award would be published in Shakhmatnaya kompozitsiya. The principle
question was who was eligible to participate, and after some discussion it was
decided to restrict entry to composers who did not feature in the FIDE Albums.

10. Future meetings of the PCCC and future WCSC

Invitation 2006. Acceptance of the offer of the Netherlands to stage the Congress
at Wageningen from 29th July to August 5th 2006 was confirmed: 21 votes for,
6 against, 1 abstention.

Invitation 2007. Jakov Vladimirov offered to hold the Congress in Sochi, on
the Black Sea coast, but had no concrete details. A full proposal would be brought
to the 2006 Congress. Uri Avner offered to hold the 2007 Congress in Israel,
for example at the Mercure Suites, Bat Yam, with prices similar to those at
Eretria. By a vote of 16 for, 3 against, 6 abstentions, it was accepted provisionally
to hold the 2007 Congress in Israel.

11. Conclusion

The President thanked delegates, Subcommittee members and Spokesmen, his Vice-Presidents
and Secretary, interpreters Irina and Maria Kuzmicheva, and Harry Fougiaxis
and his helpers for making it a very good Congress. The venue and weather had
been good, and excellent work had been done. There being no other business,
he declared the meeting closed.

John Rice (President)
Paul Valois (Secretary)
September 2005

ALTERATIONS TO "CRITERIA FOR GAINING TITLES"

These should now read:

International Solving Grandmaster of the FIDE: A solver must gain a norm 3
times (at least once at the WCSC or ECSC).

International Solving Master of the FIDE: A solver must gain a norm twice (at
least once at the WCSC, ECSC, or WCCC-Open if it fulfils the tournament criteria);
or score once 100% of the winner’s points and qualify within the first 15 places
at the WCSC.

FIDE Solving Master: A solver must gain a norm twice; or score 100% of the
winner’s points and qualify within the top 40% places at the ECSC, or WCCC-Open,
if it fulfils the tournament criteria (or at the WCSC if not within the first
15 places).

Handbook of Chess Composition

Handbook of Chess Composition – 70 pages, size A4, version 8, January 2021, pdf-file (1,6 Mb).
Editor Hannu Harkola.

The first version of this booklet with the title “Problem Chess Lists” was published in August 1989.

Contents:

Foreword

WFCC

• Meetings
• Members and delegates
• Presidents

Rules

• Statutes
• Codex
• Solver’s rating
• Criteria for acceptability of the tournaments at which ratings and norms can be gained
• Criteria for gaining norms
• Criteria for gaining titles
• Rules for rating calculation
• Rules for the WCSC and ECSC
• Rules for the International Solving Contest (ISC)
• Rules for the World Solving Cup (WSC)
• Guidelines for directors of rated solving tournaments
• Study tourney guidelines

Titles

• Grandmasters of the FIDE for Chess Compositions
• International Masters of the FIDE for Chess Compositions
• FIDE Masters for Chess Compositions
• Honorary Masters of Chess Composition
• International Judges for Chess Compositions
• International Solving Grandmasters
• International Solving Masters
• FIDE Solving Masters
• FIDE Solving Judges
• International Titles

Competitions

• World Chess Solving Championship Tourneys
• European Chess Solving Championship Tourneys
• International Solving Contests
• The International Team-Matches for Chess-Composition and the World Chess Composition Tournaments of the FIDE
• World Solving Cup
• World Championship in Composing

FIDE-Albums