FIDE Events Commission, Press Release (10-12-2013)
Dear Chess Friends,
The 84th FIDE Congress in Tallinn, Estonia decided to accept proposals from the cities of Dresden and Vilnius to launch a new event the “World Seniors Teams Championship”.
After we have gained experience in 2014 and 2015, the rules may be amended with a view to finalisation in 2016.
The first event will take place in the city of Vilnius, Lithuania from 13 to 21 of July 2014. The 2015 & 2016 events will take place in the city of Dresden, Germany.
We have consulted with organizers, seniors, members of FIDE Events Commission and players according the seniors age limits valid from 2014, the championship will have the following format in 3 categories:
– Tournament for teams with players 50+ (no restriction)
– Tournament for teams with players 65+
– Tournament for women’s teams 50+
Players are eligible provided they are aged 50 (65) by 31 December 2014.
If less than 10 women’s teams are registered; this will be merged, with separate ranking and prizes.
If less than 10 teams are registered for one of the first two groups, they will be merged, again with separate rankings and prizes.
Tournaments will be held in 9 rounds. Teams will consist from 5 players (4 boards and one optional reserve).
All members of each team must be from the same federation. Women player can play in the open tournaments. The tournaments will be open for any number of teams registered by the National Federations. More details will published with the official invitation by the Organisers.
We wish all success to the cities of Vilnius and Dresden, to the Lithuanian and German Chess Federations.
We hope all the National Federations and Seniors players will support this initiative to create a new FIDE World Championship for a fast-growing sector of our chess community.
FIDE Events Commission
events.fide.com
office@fide.com
Great idea.