From the Chess archiv of Chess-Results.com: Article: 786 from 28.08.1998, Category International

Newsletter to all European Chess Federations (28.8.98 von Prof. K. Jungwirth)

FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DES ÉCHECS PROF. KURT JUNGWIRTH, CONTINENTAL PRESIDENT OF EUROPE

Graz, 28.08.1998

To all European Chess Federations

This is my personal statement on the situation of chess in Europe.

There is top professional chess and there is amateur grass roots chess, chess for youngsters, chess in schools. Basically both levels are related to each other, they benefit from each other. They need committed promotors, organizers, trainers. Commitment is fine but money is necessary. More money can be found if there is more public interest for chess. Public interest is created and spread by the media. In most European countries the media, particularly TV, are focussed on noise, gossip, sensational action.

It is hard work to promote chess against this background. Private sponsorship is mostly irregular, it depends on the interest, the pleasure of sponsors. To assure continuty public funding is necessary. Every effort undertaken to get chess recognized as sport is an important step forward.

On 26 May 1998 I have sent you invitations to the Continental Assemblies of FIDE and ECU to be held in Elista on 9 October at 3 p.m. According to the FIDE timetable there are only two hours given to the continents. That is absolutely insufficient. We shall need more time in adequate premises. If the program in Elista allows we shall hold a European meeting already on 8 October (scheduld as a free Congress day) to prepare thouroughly the Continental Assemblies.

Agenda

Do not forget to take to Elista the documents referring to items 1.a.b.c.,2.,3. and 6.

They were communicated to all Federations.

It is obvious that permanent lobbying is necessary for the development of chess. For all that Europe is a strong chess continent. The more we cooperate the stronger we are. >From the beginning the idea of the European Chess Union was to join efforts. ECU within FIDE should act like UEFA within FIFA in football. It would be absurd if chess were not able to be united in Europe like football and other sports.

In my time as Continental President of Europe along with Federations and Clubs and with Mr. Stubenvoll as voluntary Secretary General we have taken action step by step.

We changed and improved the system of the European Club Cup.

We created the European Club Cup for Women.

We are proposing a European Super League.

We have submitted amended regulations for the European Juniors and Girls and Youth Championships. The big success of the European Youth Championships 1998 in my country convinced me that this format is viable and very profitable for the youngsters 10 to 18.

There is a lot of work to be done. We should create a European Individual Championship, a European Seniors Championship, official youth teams events, a special event for the smaller federations if they want. I support the idea of a European Challengers Team Champonship submitted by the British Chess Federation.

We shall have elections according to the revised statutes of ECU which should be accepted definitely. If I am elected President I shall invite the other candidates, the members of the committee elected in Budapest and other committed chess friends to form with me a leading team. Everybody who wants to work should have a job.

As to finances I never took any salary or stipend for my chess activity. I have enough support in my country. That will not change. We shall have a first European budget. I shall bring in the full amount of the 20 % contribution coming from FIDE. We shall also put up the ECU budget for the European Club Cup. I shall not ask the Federations for membership fees. It will be necessary to check in time together with FIDE the question of sharing tasks and funds between Europe and FIDE. For the time being the most important thing is to set up a leading team that works in a spirit of full cooperation.

Looking forward to seeing you in Elista

Prof. Kurt Jungwirth m.p.