The Irish Chess Union

I note with regret the statement from the "Galway Chess Club" that the above event will not now go ahead this year. The statement implies that the reason for this decision is because the organisers cannot guarantee that it will be rated by the ICU due to what had occurred in relation to the recent Galway Rapidplay event.

In this connection, the reason why the rapid play competition was not rated was because the organisers refused entry to two ICU members without providing a proper explanation setting out specific reasons to justify the decisions taken.

Decisions by the ICU about non rating of events are not taken lightly. They only occur in entirely exceptional circumstances where event organisers have singularly failed to fully respect the rights of ICU members to due process. As a union of individual members, the ICU has a responsibility to defend their interests particularly where an individual member seeks assistance because of a perceived injustice being done to him or her.

This was manifestly the case in relation to the Galway Rapid Play event. Hence the decision not to send the results forward for FIDE rating.

I can also confirm that the ICU has no issue with the long standing policy of organisers reserving the right to refuse entry to their events, provided that any decisions involved follow an acceptable process that includes the ICU member(s) concerned being given specific examples of alleged unacceptable behaviour and a right to appeal any decision reached. Vague statements regarding alleged behaviour without specific evidence supporting a decision to refuse entry to an event is unacceptable to the ICU.

The fact that the "Galway Chess Club" have cited the possibility of the 2015 Galway Chess Congress not being rated by the ICU as a reason for cancelling the event clearly suggests that the organisers envisaged indulging in further discriminatory behaviour towards particular ICU members if the tournament had gone ahead.

It is a great pity that a long standing event on the Irish Chess Calendar has been cancelled in such circumstances by the "Galway Chess Club". However, perhaps there are other organisers who might consider running a similar event in Galway over the same weekend if they can acquire a good venue?

If there are any interested parties who wish to consider doing this, please let me know and we can arrange to publish the details on the Websites. I would also be happy to provide any support/advice/assistance that may be of benefit to a new organiser of a Galway Chess Congress.

Pat Fitzsimons
Chairperson
Irish Chess Union
7th July 2015