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ICCF Congress, Graz, Austria

20  to 27 September 1992

   

The 2004 Congress, in conjunction with meetings of the Presidium and the Commissions, took place in the Hotel Pfeifer, Graz, from 20th to 27th September 1992

The Congress was arranged by the Correspondence Chess Commission of Austrian Chess Federation.

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Participants of the Congress were offered a reception by the Governor of Styria in the Grazer Burg, a sightseeing excursion to the city of Graz and an excursion to the Riegersbund

  The President H.J.Mostert (NLD) took the chair.

Opening

On behalf of the host federation, Austria, the participants of the Congress were welcomed by its President Prof. K. Jungwirth.  He referred to the way Austrian players had influenced the development of correspondence chess and was sure that this would be continued in the future.

In the opening speech, the ICCF President warmly thanked the host federation of Austria, especially the Committee for correspondence chess personified in it's chairman G. Radosztics.  The President was sure that all participants would have a fruitfull and enjoiyable Congress in Graz.  He dedicated a special word of welcome to all delegates representing federations which were not members in ICCF at the opening of the meeting.

He congratulated the new Ladies World Champion Ms. L. Belavenez (Russia) on her victory in the IV championship and nominated her a member of the Presidium, according to ICCF Statutes, succeeding the former Ladies World Champion Ms. L. Kristol (ISR).  In his opinion the rapid and far reaching changes in the World could also have consequences for ICCF and therefore he hoped that all delegates would have wisdom and tolerancy in their deliberations. The President then read a letter from the World Champion Gary Kasparov sending greatings to ICCF and delgates attending the Congress, referring to the deep history of correspondence chess in Russia.  This letter was received warmly by ICCF and it was agreed to send a letter of appreciation to Mr. Kasparov.

The Report of the General Secretary

In the Report of the General Secretary, he expressed pleasure that he was able to carry out his work with the federations and individuals, as well as member of the Presidium, in the spirit of the ICCF motto AMICI SUMUS.  He proposedthe acceptance as new members in ICCF, the federations of Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Russia, Slovenia and Ukraine. This proposal was accepted unanimously.  The ICCF President welcomed the new members and expressed his wish that they could contribute to the promotion and development of worldwide correspondence chess.  He wished each federation good luck for all their activities. On the proposal of the General Secretary, the Congress agreed to restore the membership of South Africa (with one vote against).  Under the conditions mentioned in § 3b of the Statutes, the federation of Wales applied for ICCF membership and this was also accepted by the Congress (with one vote against).  As the agent for African matters, the General Secretary reported that on 1/5/1992, the first African Individual Tournament had begun with 11 players from Algeria, Sao Tomé Principe, Zambia and Uganda taking part.  During the past period, both the ICCF President and General Secretary expressed the certainly that in the next year, AMICI SUMUS would be the motto for his work and thanked all federations for their cooperation.

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The Award of Bertl von Massow Medals

The Bertl von Massow medal in Gold was awarded to: J.F. Bodis (FRA) and A.G. Lascurain (ARG)