Chess South Africa’s suspension lifted by FIDE

Below is the full text of the press release from CHESS SA

03 September 2015

PRESS RELEASE: CHESS SOUTH AFRICA’S SUSPENSION LIFTED BY FIDE

On behalf of the CHESS SA Executive Board, it gives me great pleasure to announce that FIDE (World Chess Federation) has uplifted South Africa’s suspension, with immediate effect. FIDE’s decision was occasioned due to CHESS SA having honoured its arrear FIDE and 2014 World Youth debts. This was a joint team effort by the CHESS SA Executive Board and CHESS SA National Council, supported by the broader chess family.

The CHESS SA President, Eldo Smart, wishes to thank his Executive Board and all the parties who had engaged over the past few difficult months; the result of which was a bailout agreement reached and signed with the 4Knights Consortium. The bailout agreement can only augur well for chess in the future.

The upliftment of FIDE’s suspension of us means that CHESS SA will now be able to send players and teams to all Continental and International events with immediate effect, commencing with 2015 World Youth. The Youth Commission has concluded that all the players who had missed out on participating in the 2015 World Youth Under 16 Olympiad, will now be granted the opportunity to participate in the 2015 World Youth & Cadets Chess Championships in Halkidiki, Greece from 24 October to 06 November 2015.

The President wishes all our players, who will be participating in the various youth, junior and adult events during the rest of 2015, the very best in their preparation for and performance in the events.

Best Regards,

BRUCE MUBAYIWA
CHESS SA: Director of Public Relations
Email: bruce@chessplains.com
CELL: +27 81 598 6377