The FIDE Presidential Board held its 2010 1st quarter meeting in Bursa, Turkey on January 4-5th, concurrent with the World Team Championship.

In his report, President Ilyumzhinov called the year 2009 a successful one crowded with significant chess events which also enhanced the circle of supporting cities and sponsors. In the year 2010, we are looking ahead of the Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, the Anand-Topalov world championship match, many high-level events and the elections. 

Among the more than 60 items on the agenda, the Presidential Board devoted special attention to the conditions, regulations of and the player's participation in FIDE tournaments. The Presidential Board acknowledged the of agreement for the Anand-Topalov match and the preparation for the Chess Olympiad. It also called upon for a permanent attention to the fulfilment of the key steps on significant dates of the preparation for the Olympiad and stressed that deadlines must be met. On the request of the Dutch Chess Federation, the PB decided to make 2010 the year of Max Euwe to celebrate 75 years since he became World Champion.

Based on the proposals of the Women's Commission, the PB has decided to establish a World Blitz championship for women to be held in Moscow, to introduce a new award for the best woman player of the year starting in 2009, extended support for a new book on women chess and is considering a training for "top girls"  program.

The PB reviewed all the recent and forthcoming events and decided to send  inspectors to help the organizers in all major FIDE events  and finalized the regulations for the World Club Cup 2010.  It also decided on the participation of FIDE in the SportAccord meeting in April 2010. 

Peter Rajcsanyi

PR and Marketing Director