Statutes & governance

Statutes

Statutes adopted at the Federation’s extraordinary congress in Espoo on 10 June 2000 and revised at the ordinary congress in Helsingør on 28 July 2007.

§ 1
The purpose of the Nordic Chess Federation is to promote chess life and develop chess cooperation in the Nordic countries. This shall mainly be achieved by the Nordic Chess Federation contributing to the organization of tournaments aimed at:

  • The best Nordic players in the form of a Nordic Championship
  • School chess players in the form of a Nordic School Championship
  • Nordic women in the form of a Nordic Women’s Championship
  • Nordic seniors in the form of a Nordic Senior Championship
  • All organized players in the Nordic countries

§ 2
Members of the Nordic Chess Federation are Dansk Skak Union, Suomen Keskusshakkiliitto, Talvsamband Føroya, Skáksamband Íslands, Sveriges Schackförbund, and Norges Sjakkforbund, hereinafter referred to as “the member federations.”

§ 3
The affairs of the Nordic Chess Federation are handled by the Congress and by a Board in accordance with the following provisions.

The Congress:
The Congress, consisting of two delegates from each member federation, is held every two years, preferably in connection with the Nordic Championship.

Delegates are appointed by the individual member federations, each of which has one vote at the Congress.

The Congress elects a President, Secretary General, Treasurer, Chairman of the School Chess Committee, and auditors, all with a two-year term of office.

The President shall be elected so that the office rotates among all member federations according to a fixed order. Exceptions to this order may be made if unanimously decided by the Congress.

The President may be removed by a unanimous Board decision, in which case the President does not have the right to vote. If a President wishes to resign during the term of office, the Board shall elect a new President for the remainder of the term.

The Congress shall be convened by written notice to the member federations at least two (2) months before the Congress.

An extraordinary Congress may be convened by decision of the Board or at the request of at least three (3) member federations, in which case the same notice rules apply.

The Congress is open to all members of the member federations. The Congress may decide that all present may express their views on one or more agenda items.

The agenda of the Congress shall include the following matters:

  • Approval of Congress delegates
  • Question of proper notice
  • Election of Congress chairman
  • Election of Congress secretary
  • Election of two scrutineers
  • Adoption of the agenda
  • Annual report and financial statements
  • Auditor’s report
  • Approval of the balance sheet and discharge of the Board
  • Membership fees for the next two-year period
  • Election of President
  • Election of Secretary General
  • Election of Treasurer
  • Election of two auditors
  • Election of Chairman of the School Chess Committee
  • Election of Chairman of the Women’s Committee
  • Election of Chairman of the Seniors’ Committee

The Congress appoints “The Nordic Chess Player” in accordance with the rules applicable at the Congress.

The Board:
The Board consists of two members from each member federation. Each federation may also appoint a deputy. Board members are appointed by their respective federations for a two-year term – between Congresses – but may be replaced during the term by decision of their own federation.

The Board shall meet between Congresses when the President or at least three member federations so request.

The Board has a quorum if at least four member federations are represented. Each federation has one vote at Board meetings. A federation not represented at a meeting may authorize in writing one of the other federations’ representatives to vote on its behalf.

In the event of a tie, the President has the casting vote.

The School Chess Committee:
The School Chess Committee shall handle all matters relating to Nordic cooperation in school chess and shall have the opportunity to present its views before decisions are made by the Congress and the Board concerning school chess. The Committee Chairman is elected by the Congress. Other members of the School Chess Committee are appointed by the respective federations. Unless otherwise decided by the Congress, each member federation shall appoint one representative to the School Chess Committee.

The Seniors’ Chess Committee:
The Seniors’ Chess Committee shall handle all matters relating to Nordic cooperation in senior chess and shall have the opportunity to present its views before decisions are made by the Congress and the Board concerning senior chess. The Committee Chairman is elected by the Congress. Other members of the Seniors’ Committee are appointed by the respective federations. Unless otherwise decided by the Congress, each member federation shall appoint one representative to the Seniors’ Committee.

The Women’s Chess Committee:
The Women’s Chess Committee shall handle all matters relating to Nordic cooperation in women’s chess and shall have the opportunity to present its views before decisions are made by the Congress and the Board concerning women’s chess. The Committee Chairman is elected by the Congress. Other members of the Women’s Committee are appointed by the respective federations. Unless otherwise decided by the Congress, each member federation shall appoint one representative to the Women’s Committee.

§ 4
The Board shall establish the regulations governing the tournaments organized in cooperation with the Nordic Chess Federation. These regulations shall be included in the “Permanent Information,” which shall be kept updated by the Secretary General on behalf of the Board.

§ 5
The Board shall take the initiative to organize the following tournaments:

  • Nordic Championship
    The Board shall, as far as possible, ensure that the tournament, which shall be held every two years, rotates among the Nordic countries.
  • Nordic Senior Championship
    The age limit for participation shall follow FIDE’s rules for seniors. The Board shall, as far as possible, ensure that the tournament, which shall be held every two years, rotates among the Nordic countries.
  • Nordic School Chess Championship
    The School Chess Committee shall determine the relevant rules for these events.
  • Nordic Women’s Championship
    The Board shall, as far as possible, ensure that the tournament, which shall be held every two years, rotates among the Nordic countries.

§ 6
Amendments to these statutes may only be decided by the Congress. In order for such a decision to be made, proposals for amendments must have been sent to the member federations no later than together with the notice of the Congress.

These statutes were revised at the Congress in Helsingør on 28 July 2007.