The ICCF Congress, in conjunction with meetings of the Presidium and the Commissions, took place in the Atom Hotel, Ostrava, from 11th to 18th October 2003.

Participants of the Congress, and accompanying families and friends, were offered an excellent programme of events, including an excursion to the town of Olomouc and a special visit to Krakow, in Poland.  There was also a programme for ladies and families provided by the hosts.

There was the traditional ICCF Blitz Tournament, a Simultaneous exhibition by GM M. Vokac and an OTB chess match against players from Chess Club Jäkl Karviná

.

ICCF President, Alan P. Borwell (SCO) referred to the only previous occasion when an ICCF meeting had been held in the Czech Republic in 1966, when the ICCF Presidium met in Prague (then Czechoslovakia).  At that time, the ICCF General Secretary was Dr. Bohuslav Lukáš (CZE), who served ICCF in that important position for nearly 30 years. He also informed Congress that in 1973, a rather special tradition had been started with meetings in Poland at 10 year intervals and he was delighted that the hosts had arranged a special visit to Krakow (POL), during the 2003 ICCF Congress. Since its origins in the 1880s, there had been many fine performances by Czech players and teams in ICCF title tournaments and the President highlighted both individual and team achievements, in his address to Congress.

The President paid tribute to the memories of all CC friends who had died since the Seixal 2002 Congress, including Haresh Samtani, ICCF delegate for India (AICCF) and former Ukraine delegate, Ms. Elena Salnikova. Delegates stood in silence to the memory of all departed CC friends.

The ICCF President provided some further background to his decision to retire, expressing the hope that all the important developments currently in progress, would be brought to early and successful conclusions. He then focused on some key issues, which he considered required urgent attention:

1. ICCF delegates should try to look at the ”bigger picture” of correspondence chess, rather than taking narrow national, commercial or personal perspectives.  A real vision was required to look beyond existing horizons. Relationships between member federations and ICCF needed review, particularly financial/entry fee arrangements.

2. ICCF should be prepared to consider partnerships with other organisations which have compatible objectives and which could not undermine ICCF’s relationships with international CC players and member Federations or countries or erode its unique position as the World authority for official CC titles, ratings, etc. ICCF must always have effective control of its tournaments, systems and databases.

3. ICCF should always endeavour to provide opportunities for players of all standards, to participate in individual and team events, according to their personal choice of postal, Email or webserver, methods of transmission.  The arrangements for future events, including title tournaments, required harmonisation of all three methods of play.

4. Much more urgency and all year round activity was required by ICCF Commissions, especially for issues such as rules or guidelines reviewing, where problems had been identified.  Well considered proposals were required by each ICCF Congress, to facilitate good decision making and appropriate timing of implementation of changes or improvements.

5. Because of the unexpected retirement and/or inactivity by some elected/appointed officers, there had been too many tasks which had needed to be completed by Senior ICCF Officers, beyond their own defined duties.  It had caused an ”overload” situation, was not in the best interests of ICCF, and a full review of ICCF Statutes and operating arrangements should be initiated, prior to the 2004 Congress, for decisions to be taken next year.

In conclusion, Mr. Borwell expressed his sincere thanks to delegates and officials for the support they had given him during his period in office and said that it had been a wonderful experience and privilege to serve as ICCF President, especially through the ICCF 50^th Anniversary. He paid tribute to his wife Moira for her support to him and ICCF during the 20 years he had served as a member of the ICCF Presidium.  He intimated that, after election of his successor and the new Executive Board, he would leave office so that the new team could continue the Congress meetings and make necessary plans and arrangements, for the future.  Expressing hope that delegates and friends would enjoy Ostrava with ”amici sumus” spirit prevailing throughout, the ICCF President declared the 2003 ICCF Congress, duly opened.

Election of Executive Board Office-Bearers and Auditor

Before the elections began, delegates heard a proposed ICCF Anthem, composed by Dmitry Lybin (BLR).

.

.

Membership matters

The Acting General Secretary, reported that an application for membership had been received from Ecuador (Federación Ecuatoriana de Ajedrez Postal Internet – FEDAPI) and that a formally constituted body for CC was being formed. Fees had been paid to 31.12.2004. It was unanimously agreed by Congress that Ecuador should be readmitted to ICCF membership

The ICCF President presented an engraved plate for the 14^th World Championship Final winner T. Õim (EST), and Cups for winners of 8^th World Cup Final, H. Staudler (GER) and 9^th World Cup Final, Dr. E. Prang (GER)

.

The Award of Bertl von Massow Medals

A Bertl von Massow medal in Gold was awarded to: Evgeny Karelin (RUS), Michael Müller-Töpler (GER), Prof. Max Zavanelli (USA) for more than 15 years of meritorious work in the organisation of ICCF.

Silver medals for more 10 years of meritorious work in organisation of ICCF were awarded to Gerhard Binder (GER), Janko Bohak (SLO), Ervin Liebert (EST), Milan Manduch (SVK), Pavol Polakovic (SVK), Alan J.C.Rawlings (ENG), Merike Rotova (EST), Hendrik B.Sarink (NED)  

.

Friend of ICCF" award to the www.iccfus.com

ICCF and is future  by Nol van t'Riet

.