The ICCF Congress 2005 was held at in the city of Villa La Angostura, Neuquén Province, Argentina from 29th October to 5th November 2005. Alan P. Borwell (SCO) kindly agreed to carry the proxy for India as no one from AICCF could attend. In the event, Alan Borwell and Med Samraoui were unable to reach the Congress because of some problems with flights and our vote was sent as a written declaration.
Most important was of course the election of the new ICCF President and the World Tournament Director. As many of us probably are aware, Med Samraoui was elected President and Frank Geider was elected WTD. Here are the messages sent by the new office bearers:
Dear chessfriends,
First of all I would like to thank all delegates who have given me the honour to serve ICCF as President and I also take this opportunity to thank all CC friends who expressed their congratulations. I was very disappointed not to have been able to reach the ICCF Congress in Argentina due to serious travel difficulties.
I take this opportunity to thank LADAC and particularly my friend Carlos Cranbourne for hosting the congress 2005 in a beautiful area.
My thanks to all serving ICCF officials, Tournament Offices and TDs for the wonderful jobs they are doing and I would like to welcome Claudio (new Marketing Commissioner), Frank (new World Tournament Director) and Michael (new Financial Director and Direct Entry Coordinator), and hope for fruitful cooperation for the benefit of ICCF and all CC players.
The AMICI SUMUS spirit will prevail in the future and any problem will be resolved not only in accordance to ICCF Statutes and Rules, but also with dialogue and respect. As ICCF President I will make sure everyone has the right to express their opinion, even if it is not shared by the majority, but it is out of the question to tolerate outrageous or insulting behaviour.
We always must keep in mind that we love CC because for us, CC represents fun, fair play and friendship.
We are all waiting for the preparation and issue of the draft Minutes of the Argentina Congress and I intend to assume my responsibilities over the next few weeks and become fully responsible as ICCF President effective from 1st January 2006. I will issue another message before the end of this year, with a progress report.
With very best wishes to everyone in ICCF and all of its Member Federations,
AMICI SUMUS
I would like to thank all Delegates who elected me as the new World Tournament Director as well as the ICCF Executive Board for their confidence in proposing my candidacy for this important position.
Before starting officially my duties on 01.01.2006, the remaining time will be used for a better transition and gaining experience, especially working closely with Pedro who has acted as WTD since Chris´s resignation in early January 2005.
Hoping for a fruitful cooperation with all National Federations and all
Tournament Directors.
Sincere thanks to all ICCF officials and all Delegates.
AMICI SUMUS
M. Samraoui
ICCF President elect
11.11.2005
Dear chessfriends,
Frank Geider
The ICCF Congress 2005, in conjunction with meetings of the ICCF Executive Board and the Management Committee, took place in the Resort Bahia Manzano, Villa La Angostura, Neuquén Province, Argentina, from 30th October to 4th November 2005.
The Congress was arranged and hosted by the Liga Argentina de Ajedrez por Correspondencia (LADAC) and its President Carlos Cranbourne, and the hotel facilities and hospitality offered by LADAC were remarkable. The meeting was originally planned for the Convention Centre, but that was for very large groups (450 people) so the hotel location was more appropriate. The hotel management and cooperation was excellent and they made sure everything was always ready and well prepared. Also, the resort had a beautiful view of the Manzano Bay on Lake Nahuel Huapi, with outdoor dining facilities.
Participants of the Congress, and accompanying families and friends, were offered an extensive programme of events, including an excursion to the city of San Carlos de Bariloche (ski resort town). There was also a programme for ladies and families provided by the hosts.
The Opening Banquet took place at Mesidor, the summer residence of the Governor of the Neuquén Province. Everyone was treated to typical local dishes (empanadas, asado and salads) in this wonderful property by the shores of the Nahuel Huapi Lake. Additionally, a new musical entertainment of popular songs was performed by the same two musicians who had previously done so during the short cultural programme on Sunday morning.
There was the traditional ICCF Blitz Tournament, with chess sets kindly provided by Círculo de Ajedrez “Torre Blanca” in Buenos Aires, which was won by GM Fritz Baumbach.
An optional post-Congress tour to Southern Chile (organised by Liga Chilena de Ajedrez Postal, LICHAP, and its President Guillermo Toro) was offered.
We are very glad to report on the very successful ICCF Congress 2005 in Villa La Angostura, Argentina.
Congress meetings were closed earlier than usual, and still we managed to go through the whole long Agenda. Although details will be contained in the upcoming Congress Minutes, this is a short summary of what was achieved:
Amici Sumus,
Max Zavanelli
ICCF Acting President
Pedro F. Hegoburu
ICCF Membership & Services Director
ICCF Acting World Tournaments Director
The next ICCF Congress (2006) is to be be held in Dresden, Germany. For more information please visit the beautiful 2006 Congress website prepared by the BdF.