The FIDE Congress rejected the proposal to turn our world title matches into pay-to-play events. This is a massive victory for the integrity of our sport. Keep your eyes on the upcoming policy meetings because we need to remain vigilant against these kinds of schemes.
September 11, 2016
Final supporters
The Russian Chess Federation submitted an official proposal to the FIDE Congress for an addition to the current World Championship Cycle rules: anyone guaranteeing a required prize-fund can challenge the reigning World Champion.
We as ACP believe that this idea is completely detrimental to chess for a number of reasons, among which:
- The World Champion Title must be achieved only through a proper sport cycle, especially at a time when chess is increasingly recognized as a sport. The RCF proposal goes against the chess tradition and against the very spirit of modern chess. Although purchasing the right for the match was common practice 100 years ago, it was more of a sad necessity than a good system.
- Staging a "commercial" match would seriously undermine the appeal of the regular cycle match. As things stand, the Title Match is a unique event which is held every two years and which acts as a catalyst for all the chess world. Even so, it is very difficult to raise proper funds for the World Championship Match - we do remember several examples from the recent past and we are witnessing the same problems right now. Who would be interested in paying for the ‘regular match' if it is no longer a unique event? Who would organize the Candidates under these circumstances? Who would regard chess as a proper sport a company can invest in?
- The World Champion Title would be devalued and, more importantly, the image of chess would suffer greatly at all levels and worldwide. It would also put the players on grossly unequal terms: some would have to battle their chances out against the best players of the world in the regular cycle, others would buy their shot at the title by securing the money. This is outright unacceptable. It could also bring a disrepute to our noble game, opening the door to problems we can't even foresee now.
- The RCF proposal would inevitably mess up the World Championship Cycle. It would also limit the World Champion’s participation in other events, as he would need to spend most of his time preparing/recovering after the matches. Again, this is certainly not desirable.
The ACP strongly opposes changes to the World Championship Cycle that undermine the very sporting sense and the unique value of the World Chess Champion Title. Our opinion is supported by the results of the ACP Poll - 2016, where over 80% of the chess professionals clearly disapproved the idea of purchasing the rights for the Title Match. If you share our vision, please help fighting this proposal and join the ACP stand by signing and endorsing this statement. The RCF proposal could be approved already in September, and we feel the chess world has to take a clear stand on the matter before then.
ACP Board
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 31, 2016
August 7, 2016
We hit one hundred signatures today. Post the link on your Facebook and text three chess friends to tell them why this proposal hurts our sport.
August 6, 2016
The FIDE Congress is holding closed sessions regarding this proposal right now. Email your national federation delegates immediately to demand they vote against any pay-to-play schemes. Post our link on your social media accounts so they understand the size of the opposition they face.
Reached 100 supporters
August 4, 2016
194 Comments
It's unfair that some will have to go through difficult games, opponents and win the Candidates Tournament whereas others will be able to buy their opportunity to win the World Championship.
Besides the general idea that is very much questionnable by itself, I do not understand why FIDE should recieve a tremendous 50% + right of veto when the World Champion is taking all the risks.
Carrying the title of World Champion would become a burden rather than an honour. And over time, the World Champion would no longer necessarily be the best chess player in the world. This is a horrible idea.
I think that the Challenger should achieve the rights to fight for the WCC over the board, not because someone with a sponsor pay the taxes and makes FIDE richer. As simple as that. IMO, the Challenger must be the winner of the Candidates, just as now.
I completely agree with ACP's view. We need to make Chess a respetable sport, and being able to "buy" a match for the title does not help...it would be more a kind of gambling than a serious organized system. I expect that efforts are focused on strengthen the official cycle...not creating a pseudo alternative one. Regards
Never in the chess world Sutovsky's proposal is good.
It's a very strange proposal and it's not understandable from sport point of view
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The FIDE Congress rejected the proposal to turn our world title matches into pay-to-play events. This is a massive victory for the integrity of our sport. Keep your eyes on the upcoming policy meetings because we need to remain vigilant against these kinds of schemes.
September 11, 2016
Final supporters
The Russian Chess Federation submitted an official proposal to the FIDE Congress for an addition to the current World Championship Cycle rules: anyone guaranteeing a required prize-fund can challenge the reigning World Champion.
We as ACP believe that this idea is completely detrimental to chess for a number of reasons, among which:
- The World Champion Title must be achieved only through a proper sport cycle, especially at a time when chess is increasingly recognized as a sport. The RCF proposal goes against the chess tradition and against the very spirit of modern chess. Although purchasing the right for the match was common practice 100 years ago, it was more of a sad necessity than a good system.
- Staging a "commercial" match would seriously undermine the appeal of the regular cycle match. As things stand, the Title Match is a unique event which is held every two years and which acts as a catalyst for all the chess world. Even so, it is very difficult to raise proper funds for the World Championship Match - we do remember several examples from the recent past and we are witnessing the same problems right now. Who would be interested in paying for the ‘regular match' if it is no longer a unique event? Who would organize the Candidates under these circumstances? Who would regard chess as a proper sport a company can invest in?
- The World Champion Title would be devalued and, more importantly, the image of chess would suffer greatly at all levels and worldwide. It would also put the players on grossly unequal terms: some would have to battle their chances out against the best players of the world in the regular cycle, others would buy their shot at the title by securing the money. This is outright unacceptable. It could also bring a disrepute to our noble game, opening the door to problems we can't even foresee now.
- The RCF proposal would inevitably mess up the World Championship Cycle. It would also limit the World Champion’s participation in other events, as he would need to spend most of his time preparing/recovering after the matches. Again, this is certainly not desirable.
The ACP strongly opposes changes to the World Championship Cycle that undermine the very sporting sense and the unique value of the World Chess Champion Title. Our opinion is supported by the results of the ACP Poll - 2016, where over 80% of the chess professionals clearly disapproved the idea of purchasing the rights for the Title Match. If you share our vision, please help fighting this proposal and join the ACP stand by signing and endorsing this statement. The RCF proposal could be approved already in September, and we feel the chess world has to take a clear stand on the matter before then.
ACP Board
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 31, 2016
August 7, 2016
We hit one hundred signatures today. Post the link on your Facebook and text three chess friends to tell them why this proposal hurts our sport.
August 6, 2016
The FIDE Congress is holding closed sessions regarding this proposal right now. Email your national federation delegates immediately to demand they vote against any pay-to-play schemes. Post our link on your social media accounts so they understand the size of the opposition they face.
Reached 100 supporters
August 4, 2016
194 Comments
This would corrupt and make a mockery of the world chess championship process. The match would go to the highest bidder rather than the better player. Rather like how today most U.S. politicians get elected, then vote the way those pocket books want them to vote.
It's unfair that some will have to go through difficult games, opponents and win the Candidates Tournament whereas others will be able to buy their opportunity to win the World Championship.
Besides the general idea that is very much questionnable by itself, I do not understand why FIDE should recieve a tremendous 50% + right of veto when the World Champion is taking all the risks.
Carrying the title of World Champion would become a burden rather than an honour. And over time, the World Champion would no longer necessarily be the best chess player in the world. This is a horrible idea.
I think that the Challenger should achieve the rights to fight for the WCC over the board, not because someone with a sponsor pay the taxes and makes FIDE richer. As simple as that. IMO, the Challenger must be the winner of the Candidates, just as now.
I completely agree with ACP's view. We need to make Chess a respetable sport, and being able to "buy" a match for the title does not help...it would be more a kind of gambling than a serious organized system. I expect that efforts are focused on strengthen the official cycle...not creating a pseudo alternative one. Regards
Never in the chess world Sutovsky's proposal is good.
It's a very strange proposal and it's not understandable from sport point of view
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This would corrupt and make a mockery of the world chess championship process. The match would go to the highest bidder rather than the better player. Rather like how today most U.S. politicians get elected, then vote the way those pocket books want them to vote.