Statement of Stéphane Escafre
International Arbiter September
1st 2018
Arbiters witness the state of
FIDE
While traveling the world for
years, I was able to observe the state of the chess planet. Through the eyes of
the international arbiter I am, I have noticed many dysfunctions. An arbiter
sees everything, he knows the stage and the backstage.
The first observation I draw from
my experience is the great disparity of situations: I have the chance to live
in Europe where most of the international competitions are organized. I should
rejoice selfishly, but I am sad, because it means that the majority of the world
is deprived of these events.
Whole areas are abandoned by
current FIDE leaders. The continent most unjustly neglected being obviously
Africa. Many federations (and we are talking about countries with tens of
millions of inhabitants) have neither international arbiters nor FIDE arbiters
(first level). How do you want to organize events worthy of the name in these
conditions? And when I mention the absence of referees, this is only one of the
symptoms, most of the time there are no coaches or trainers of chess teachers
either.
The arbiters have technical and
organizational skills essential to the progression of Chess. This added value
makes arbiters a growth factor today, alas, under-exploited. I know the
dedication and willingness of my colleagues: they will be the first to
accompany and often initiate this new momentum. Through education, FIDE must
fight against dependence, and promote the autonomy of those federations!
Where are the aids that can make
African federations actresses of their own development? This situation is
intolerable. We could attack the federations themselves by accusing them of
doing nothing. But given the number of neglected countries, responsibility must
be sought at a higher level. And since this lack of will for development is
spread to several continents (Africa, South America, South-East Asia, Oceania),
the responsibility is international.
Some FIDE leaders make
federations believe that they are helping them, especially in the months before
to the elections. I say they "make believe" because these aids, due
to federations, are presented as extraordinary gifts. These people take
advantage of their position to appoint “friends”, pay for travel ... but do not
finance any development or effective formation.
It's a shame! At best we see
seminars organizations or nominations given on the basis of political
considerations. The current system cannot generate development. The majority of
federations are victims of FIDE's negligence. Africa is visited by people from
far away and wide who make gifts, make promises, but simply maintain the
North-South imbalance.
I do not blame FIDE commissions.
They are not the ones who vote budgets, open lines of expenditure, finance (or
rather refuse to finance) development actions. The responsibility is at the
level of the Presidential Board. It is the highest of the pyramid that must be
changed.
We are fortunate to have a
candidate who has the experience of the sports, political and financial world,
with a presidential ticket that wants to redistribute the cards.
The members of Arkady
Dvorkovich's ticket cannot be accused of personal ambition, they are Chess
ambassadors respected in their country.
More important: Mr Dvorkovich is
ready to work with all continents. You will not find in his communication
support for one candidate over another for the continental elections. This
particularity of not imposing a continental choice shows that everyone can work
with everyone. At the end of the elections, there will be no fratricidal
battle.
It is time to end a system that
maintains disparities between federations. I encourage my fellow arbiters and
the presidents of the federations to support the project of Mr. Arkady
Dvorkovich. He has the skills, the experience and the will to develop Chess on
all continents.
Stéphane Escafre
International Arbiter, A category
Member of the FIDE Rules Commission
Anti-Cheating Officer in Batumi European Championship 2018
Chess book writer
Statement in PDF
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