ICCF 2015-032: Non Gender Specific Versions of Ladies Titles
Welsh Correspondence Chess Federation (WCCF)
Non Gender Specific Versions of Ladies Titles
Proposal
This proposal is submitted by WCCF as an amendment to ICCF 2015-001 (Eliminate Ladies Titles of LIM and LGM). It is proposed that ICCF introduces two new titles, “Correspondence Chess Expert” and “Correspondence Chess Master” (or other suitable names to be discussed, for example “Candidate Master”); these titles will not be gender-specific and will have exactly the same performance requirements as the current LIM and LGM titles. Norms will be available from suitable tournaments commencing from 1.1.2016.
These new titles would be:
- available to all players regardless of gender, and remove the inequality associated with gender specific titles,
- broadly align ICCF with FIDE in conceptual terms of FM and CM, and,
- open up the potential for the achievement of titles to a wider group of players.
Any female player earning the CCE or CCM title may opt to have the equivalent LIM or LGM shown on her certificate and medal for the next five years.
Any LIM or LGM norms earned in events starting before 1.1.2016 will count towards the CCE and CCM titles respectively.
The CCE and CCM titles will be awarded automatically by the server when the required norms are achieved, including a downloadable certificate. Medals and certificates signed by the ICCF President and General Secretary for the new titles will only be available for presentation at Congress to players who:
- Are able to attend Congress in person, or,
- are female (this should apply for the next five years).
The current LIM and LGM titles will be discontinued.
Rationale
WCCF fully support and agree with the arguments of the General Secretary behind his proposal to remove ladies titles, however we are concerned about removing the right to earn a title from any player.
We also believe that there are marketing opportunities in awarding titles below the IM title. These opportunities have been exploited by FIDE in offering titles such as FIDE Master, and Candidate Master, and there is no reason why ICCF should not follow this lead.
This initiative would provide an incentive for players at all levels and of both genders to strive for recognizable achievements.
Other Comments/Considerations
WCCF recognize that the process of awarding titles is a significant task for the Qualifications Commissioner, in terms of processing results, record keeping, and not least in organizing the awards ceremony at Congress. For this reason we propose to automate the CCE and CCM titles as much as possible, we also propose that these titles should not be presented to delegates at Congress and that there should be no medals or signed certificates unless the player is prepared to collect this him or herself from Congress.
We propose a five year transition period so that any ladies earning the new titles may have these recognized as LIM or LGM titles during this period.
Relevent Documentation
Rule 2b of the ICCF Tournament Rules will be removed.
Column three will be removed from Rule 2d.
The Norm Table under Rule 3 will be extended to include norms for the new CCE and CCM titles.
Voting Summary
- A vote of Yes will mean that the new titles will be available from 1.1.2016 and there is no vote on Proposal ICCF 2015-001
- A vote of No will mean Congress proceeds to vote on Proposal ICCF 2015-001
- A vote of ABSTAIN is not a vote but means the vote holder has no opinion and does not wish to represent the correspondence chess players of his or her federation in this matter.
Comments by Relevant Committees, Commissions, or ICCF Officers
Eric Ruch (EB)
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Mariusz Wojnar
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