09. FIDE Code of Ethics

Approved by the 1989 General Assembly. Amended by 1996 Presidential Board as directed by 1996 General Assembly.

Introduction

The game and concept of chess is based on the assumption that everyone involved / concerned observe existing rules and regulations and attaches the greatest importance to fair play and good sportsmanship.

It is impossible to define exactly and in all circumstances the standard of conduct expected from all parties involved in FIDE tournaments and events, or to list all sets which would amount to a breach of the Code of Ethics and lead to disciplinary sanctions. In most cases common sense will tell the participants the standards of behavior that are required. If any participants in a FIDE event has any doubt as to the conduct which is expected of him or her, the FIDE officials present should be contacted or the local organizer who has been put in charge of the event.

Disputes arising during a game or tournament shall be resolved in accordance with the rules of play in existence at the time and with the tournament regulations.

This Code of Ethics is applicable to:

• FIDE office bearers,
• member federations, delegates and counselors,
• affiliated organizations
• organizers, sponsors
• all competitors in FIDE registered tournaments.

This Code of Ethics shall govern what action may be taken against any person (meaning either an individual or organization) who deliberately or through gross negligence violate the rules and regulations of the game or neglect to observe the precepts of fair play.

Breach of Ethics

The Code of Ethics shall be breached by a person or organization who directly or indirectly

offers, or attempts to offer or accepts any consideration or bribe with a view of influencing the result in a game of chess or election into FIDE office.

in other respects acts contrary to this Code.

Of particular importance in this respect are the following:

Fraudulence in the administration of any FIDE office or national federation office that affects other federations.

Office bearers who through their behavior no longer inspire the necessary confidence or have in other ways become unworthy of trust.

Organizers, tournament directors, arbiters or other officials who fail to perform their functions in an impartial and responsible manner.

Failure to comply with normally accepted standards of courtesy and chess etiquette. Misbehavior of a personal nature which is generally unacceptable by normal social standards.

Cheating or attempts at cheating during games and tournaments. Violent, threatening or other unseemly behavior during or in connection with a chess event.

Players withdrawing from a tournament without valid reason or without informing the tournament arbiter.

Gross or repeated violations of FIDE Laws of Chess or other approved tournament regulations.

In any top level tournament, players, delegations or teams must comply with a high standard dress code. Delegations includes both a player`s seconds and any other individual who the player allows to conduct business on behalf of the players. Players are responsible for the actions of acknowledged members of their delegations.

Players or members of their delegations must not make unjustified accusations toward other players, officials or sponsors. All protests must be referred directly to the arbiter or the Technical Director of the tournament.

In addition, disciplinary action in accordance with this Code of Ethics will be taken in cases of occurrences which cause the game of chess, FIDE or its federations to appear in an unjustifiable unfavorable light and in this way damage its reputation.

Any conduct likely to injure or discredit the reputation of FIDE, its events, organizers, participants, sponsors or that will enhance the goodwill which attaches to the same.

Sanctions

Breaches of the FIDE Code of Ethics shall be sanctioned whether acts of commission or omission, whether they have been committed deliberately or negligently, whether the breach constitutes an act or attempted act, and whether the parties acted as principle, participant, accomplice or instigator, aiding or abetting.

Breaches of the FIDE Code of Ethics are punishable by one or more of the following sanctions:

• warning;
• reprimand;
• return of awards; fine, up to 25.000,00 US dollars
• revocations of titles and sports results
• social work;
• ban up to 15 years on taking part in a chess competition, or in any chess-related activity, as a player, arbiter, organiser, or representative of a chess federation;
• temporarily exclusion from membership or office.

If a sanction is imposed, the Ethics Commission may examine whether there are grounds to totally or partially suspend the enforcement of the sanction, if the relevant circumstances allow it, in particular the previous record of the person sanctioned. By suspending enforcement of the sanction, the Ethics Commission may subject the person sanctioned to a probationary period of anything from six months up to two years. If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another breach during the probationary period, the suspension shall automatically be revoked and the original sanction completely applied and added to the sanction imposed for the new breach.

The sanction may be imposed by taking into account all relevant factors in the case, including the offender’s age, assistance and cooperation, the motive, the circumstances and the degree of the offender’s guilt.

The Ethics Commission shall decide the scope and duration of any sanction.

Sanctions may be limited to a geographical area or to one or more specific categories of competitions or events (starting date).

Administrative Procedures

Breach of the regulations of this code by any Federation or FIDE official shall be reported to the FIDE Secretariat.

Breach of the regulations of this code by any person shall be reported to and decided by the FIDE Ethics Commission.

The proceedings shall be recorded in writing. Grounds must be given for any decisions taken and these must also be in writing.

Appeals against decision taken by any FIDE official can be submitted to the FIDE Ethics Commission. The appeal must be sent by registered mail together with a deposit of Two Hundred Fifty U.S. Dollars (US$250). The deposit will be returned should the appeal to all intents and purposes prove to be justified.

Any decisions made by the Ethics Commission may be the object of appeal arbitration proceedings in accordance with the Code of sports-related arbitration of the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The time limit for appeal is twenty-one days following the communication of the decision concerning appeal. All recourse to ordinary courts is excluded.

Annex 1: Procedural Rules

Annex 2: Guidelines to the Interpretation of FIDE Code of Ethics