AICF is curbing freedom of Chess players in India from participating in tournaments that are not blessed by All India Chess Federation (AICF). World Chess Organization (FIDE) gives every player an ID and attach their FIDE ratings to that Player ID. FIDE has recognized AICF as their affiliate to manage registration of Indian Chess Players and their respective ratings submission from matches to FIDE. AICF, due to its monopoly in India prohibits players from playing Chess tournaments that are not organized or blessed by them even if the tournament is a Non-Rated tournament organized by private parties. AICF has demanded prize money from players, profit sharing from organizations to "bless" them to organize tournaments as AICF approved tournament. If the "money" is given to AICF then players are allowed to participate in the "Approved" tournaments. If a player plays tournaments that are not "blessed" by AICF then AICF coerce them by cancelling their memberships with FIDE thus, removing their FIDE ratings from FIDE's web site which in turn hurts the player badly as FIDE ratings determine their status in chess world.

This unfair and monopolistic practice of AICF needs to be stopped and Chess needs to be celebrated with Freedom in the land known as its origination!

Please sign this petition so that we can send the list to FIDE and request AICF to change their policies and remove people responsible for coercing players and curbing their freedom to participate in Non-Rated tournaments.

http://www.exposeaicf.com/