.

The Congress was arranged by the Latvian Correspondence Chess Federation (LCCF)

TThe participants of the Congress, and accompanying ladies and friends, were offered a programme of events, including a full-day excursion to Sigulda and Turaida, a Riga city tour and a Civic Reception. There was also a match between ICCF and a Latvia representative team and the traditional ICCF Blitz Tournament.

Opening the meeting, the ICCF President expressed great pleasure that the 1998 Congress was being held in Riga, and referred to the rich heritage of correspondence chess in Latvia and the Baltic States.

Sadly, during the last year, many distinguished CC friends had died and, in particular, three great stalwarts of ICCF had passed away shortly after the 1997 Congress, namely Reg Gillman (ENG), József Vándorffy (HUN) and Francek Brglez (SLO).  The Congress paid its respects to the memories of these officials and all departed CC friends, by observing a minute's silence.

The ICCF President then welcomed many old and new friends attending the 1998 Congress, including the ladies and friends accompanying delegates and officials.  He referred to the traditions of ICCF, particularly to its "amici sumus" philosophy and motto.

As his main theme, the ICCF President emphasised that the highest possible consideration must be given to "our customers", the correspondence chess players throughout the world.  With the rapid advancement of communications channels involving new technologies, there were great opportunities for ICCF and international correspondence chess into the new Millennium.  Greater flexibility and imaginative marketing of ICCF was essential.  The President asked everyone to participate fully in the important and far-reaching discussions to enable enlightened decisions to be made during the Congress

The Report of the General Secretary

 The report of the General Secretary contained a proposal to accept an application for membership from the Chess Association of Malawi (CHAM) and this was agreed unanimously by Congress.  Malawi (MWI) would be included in Zone 4 (Africa/Asia).  He then reviewed the situation concerning the membership of the Ukraine (UKR).  It was confirmed by Congress that the appropriate member federation was the Ukrainian Correspondence Chess Committee (UCCC), part of the Ukrainian Chess Federation, which is supported by the Ukraine Committee of Sport, with Ms. E. Salnikova as its delegate to ICCF.

The Award of Bertl von Massow Medals

A Bertl von Massow medal in Gold and Silver, for 15 years and 10 years meritorius work for ICCF to: C-E. Erlandsson  (SWE), G. Radosztics (AUT)  

Medal in Gold, for 15 years meritorius work for ICCF to: W. Bielecki (POL), L. Lahdenmäki (FIN), A. Pereira (POR)  

Silver medals for more 10 years of meritorious work for ICCF to A. Jonasson (SWE), E. Karelin (RUS), S-Ä. Kronberg (SWE), M. Müller-Tõpler (GER), P. Rasmussen (DEN), M. Zavanelli (USA)