WORLD CHECKERS/DRAUGHTS FEDERATION
MINUTES OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
NYALA HOTEL, SAN REMO, 20 OCTOBER 2011

1. Present Richard Beckwith (ACF, Vice President), Daniel Berte (FID), Ian Caws (EDA, Treasurer), Joan Caws, Bashim Durdyev (TNDC), Ron King (BDA), Lubabalo Kondlo (SA), Garrett Owens (NWDF), John Reade (Secretary), Ezio Valentini, Ingo Zachos (IGDD).

2. Apologies for Absence Hugh Devlin (NWDF, President).

3. President’s Welcome Richard Beckwith (on behalf of Hugh Devlin) opened the meeting at 8.50 PM. There were 8 representatives present from 12 affiliated organisations so the meeting was quorate.

4. Minutes of General Assembly 2009 Were distributed and approved.

5. Matters Arising None.

6. Secretary’s Report John Reade reported as follows.
(i) 3-Move Qualifying Tournament 2010 Was won by Michele Borghetti. The Women’s event was won by Humagul Toyeva.
(ii) Men’s 3-Move Challenge Match 2011 Between Alex Moiseyev and Michele Borghetti was won by Alex Moiseyev 7-6-27.
(iii) GAYP Qualifying Tournament 2011 Was currently in progress.
(iv) Events 2012 There would be 3 WCDF events in 2012, namely, the
3-Move Qualifying Tournament, and the Men’s and Women’s GAYP Challenge Matches. Bids were invited to host these events.

7. Treasurer’s Report Ian Caws reported as follows.
(i) The number of affiliations was 12 not 10 as shown on the balance sheet as 2 were accepted after the balance sheet was produced. The slight difference in the amount received and paid to the World Championship Qualifier was due to the difference in exchange rates.
(ii) Bank interest remained low, but dividends were surprisingly good as was the valuation of the existing shares.
(iii) £1000 was allocated to the QT last year and it was hoped that this year each player not allocated free accommodation would receive 100 euroes.
(iv) The excess of expenditure was £543.89 but our assets are healthy and there is nothing at the moment to worry about.

8. President’s Report Hugh Devlin reported as follows. (Read by Richard Beckwith)
First, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the Federazione Italiana Dama (FID) for submitting a successful bid for the hosting of this World Qualification Tournament (QT) here in San Remo, Italy. It is our first ever event held in Italy and we hope to build on the very positive relationships that have been built up over the past 12 months to ensure improved co-operation and joint promotions into the future.
Likewise, we thank the ACF and the TNDC for submitting bids for the hosting of World Championship matches, both in the USA and in Turkmenistan during August 2011. In particular I’d like to acknowledge our gratitude to Joe LoConti’s company EVERGREEN-UNI for their substantial sponsorship of the Alex Moiseyev v Michele Borghetti WCM that was held at Cleveland, Ohio, USA from 13th to 23rd August 2011. Also to Alan Millhone who acted as referee on behalf of the WCDF, to John Acker for his work in the transmission of the match live on the Internet, and Dr. Richard Beckwith who acted as match co-ordinator.
We also thank the Turkmenistan National Draughts Centre (TNDC) for organising and sponsoring the Women’s World Championship Match between defending champion Amangul Berdiyeva and challenger Hurmagul Toyeva which took place at Balkanabat, Turkmenistan, from 3rd to 7th August 2011, and to referees Altyn Gurbanova and Gultach Madanova (Turkmenistan).
Many individuals have given generously of their personal time during the past year to ensure that the game of Checkers has been organised, advertised, and promoted to a high level. In particular I’d also like to thank:
(a) Igor Zachos for his work in enhancing the contents of the Checkers Section on the FMJD Website, for building the WCDF Facebook pages, and for bringing us improved coverage of this QT in San Remo.
(b) Igor Keder (Czech Union of Draughts) for his work in updating and managing the WCDF Ratings List (No. 8) against a backdrop of personal adversity. The ratings have been changed from Glico to ELO to facilitate easier management in the future.
(c) Shane McCosker who re-organised, updated, and enlarged the content of the WCDF Website during the past year.
(d) Richard Beckwith for his role in organising the Moiseyev v Borghetti WCM which entailed large amounts of his personal time, and for representing the WCDF at the FMJD General Assembly Meeting in the Netherlands during May 2011.
(e) Carlo Bordini (FID) who has done much work throughout the past 6 months in the organisation and co-ordination of this present event, and to Ezio Valentini for his work during this week.

During the past year the WCDF Executive Board have sent update communications to all delegates of Checkers organisations. These were sent on 9th November 2010, 6th March 2011, and 28th July 2011.
The WCDF Byelaws and rules of the game have been updated in accordance with amendments made at recent General Assembly Meetings.
A series of negotiations were entered into between the WCDF and Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) to develop a framework that would facilitate the attendance of South African players at WCDF events. We thank MSSA for their constructive input.
There has been ongoing discussion within the FMJD during the past year about the organisation’s future direction and relationships between the three sections of 10x10, Draughts 64, and checkers. These discussions are continuing at this time.
Considerable progress has been made during the past year in our promotion of a singular set of rules for playing the game of checkers with the English Draughts Association and the Scottish Draughts Association both joining the American Checkers Federation in adopting the WCDF recommendations.
The venue and details for the upcoming 2nd World Mind Sports Games (2012) will be announced by the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) at a major press launch at the London Eye, London, on 17th November 2011. Only after that will be know the exact details of venue, dates, numbers of entrants, etc for Checkers.

It is pleasing to see an increased participation of Youth and Female players at this year’s QT and this is a positive sign for the future. Much discussion has taken place over the past year as to the best way to promote participation in these events, and this will be further discussed in a later proposal.
In conclusion, I’d like to thank all fellow members of the Executive Board for their work throughout the past year, and to the numerous others who have worked hard in the organisation and promotion of our game. Many people give freely of the limited time they have available so that the game can grow and prosper. Their efforts are very much appreciated.

9. Resolutions Approved as listed except that there had been 2 further resolutions agreed by a majority of the Executive Board since the agenda was circulated. These were as follows.
Resolution 10 (11 October 2011) That the late nomination of Irma Bejashvili by Israel to play in the Women’s Section of the San Remo Qualifying Tournament be accepted.
Resolution 11 (19 October 2011) That Ingo Zachos be nominated by the WCDF to play in the Open Section of the Qualifying Tournament 2011 to make the number of players even.

10. Proposals (i) (I. Caws, J. Reade) That Rule 1.3 be amended as follows: ‘The size of squares on draughts boards should be between 4.5 and 5 centimetres.’ Secondly that Rule 1.9 be amended as follows: ‘The size of draughts pieces should be between 3 and 4 centimetres.’ Carried.
(ii) (H. Devlin, J. Reade) That the format of the Women’s World Championship titles be changed from match-play to a tournament style event as follows:
(a) A World Championship Tournament shall be held every 4 years to determine the World Championship titles for Women at 3 Move and GAYP styles of play.
(b) These 2 events (3 move restriction & GAYP) shall be held back-to back every 4 years commencing 2014.
(c) The WCDF shall allocate €1,000 towards a prize fund. (€500 to each event)
(d) The format may be a Swiss style tournament or round robin event depending on the number of entries.
(e) Organisations affiliated to the WCDF shall not be limited to any number of participants they can nominate.

Several amendments were proposed.
1. (E. Valentino, R. King) That the Women’s Championship Tournament should be held every year rather than every 4 years. That it should be 3-Move in even years and GAYP in odd years. The winner should be World Champion immediately. There should be no challenge match. If a separate Women’s event is not permitted (e.g. at WMSG’s) then the highest placed woman in the Open Event should be immediate Women’s Champion. Carried.
2. (I. Caws, R. Beckwith) That the current Women’s Champion, Amangul Berdiyeva, should be nominated by the WCDF for the first Women’s Championship Tournament in 2012. Carried.
3. (J. Reade, I Caws) That each affiliated association should be limited to 2 nominations (3 if the bidding association) to the Women’s Championship Tournament. Carried.
4. (R. Beckwith, J. Reade) That the WCDF should donate 1000 euroes to the Women’s prize fund each year. Carried.

11. Other Business L. Kondlo said that Colin Webster had paid South Africa’s affiliation fee to the WCDF for 2011. He asked whether the Eastern Cape Draughts Association could nominate players to WCDF events direct. John Reade said that as far as the WCDF was concerned they could, however South African Sports regulations prohibit this.

12. End of Meeting Richard Beckwith closed the meeting at 9.50 PM.

John Reade, Secretary WCDF.