Dear friends,
With a deep sadness I must inform you that I have taken the decision to
resign from my function of ICCF President with immediate effect.
It was not easy to take such a decision, particularly after having served
ICCF in various positions for 30 years. ICCF was my second family and I
devoted the most part of my free time to Correspondence Chess.
Thanks to ICCF I have had many friends all around the world, and ICCF
Congresses were for me unforgettable moments where I could meet some of
them and to share with them agreeable times.
As you may remember, since ICCF Congress in Benalmadena 2007, my life was
affected by this tragedy and if I continued, it is only because several
friends, the delegates and the members of ICCF Executive Board have
brought me a strong support.
Last year I was unable to attend ICCF Congress in Pleven and at the
current date, I am not even sure if I could attend ICCF Congress in Leeds.
During Congresses the President should conduct the debates, explain his
plans and develop his strategy to Congress. Being absent is a handicap
which I cannot tolerate.
Furthermore, health problems and frequent visits to hospitals have also
reduced my free time.
So in these conditions, I must be honest and must give a chance to another
friend to continue to lead ICCF to the prosperity.
During the three last years, many realizations have been achieved.
- ICCF server is permanently improved.
- Finances are in the growth phase and totally under control, thanks to
the great work made by Carlos Flores, Soeren Peschardt and Michael
Millstone.
- Several sponsors have been approached and are supporting ICCF
activities, besides ChessBase and New in Chess, we have now signed
agreements in 2008 and 2009 with Chesspublishing, Opening Master and Chess
Informant; that means that our players will receive prizes in all major
ICCF tournaments. Further contacts with other sponsors are still in
discussion. A big thank to Eric Ruch and Gino Figlio for their efforts.
- New events introduced since 2007, like Money Prize Tournaments, Rapid
CC, Blitz CC, School events, Junior World Cup and Veteran World Cup
attracted many new players and have been very successful.
- Young and competent officials are very well integrated and I am very
proud to have "talents" like Valer Demian as NTTC, Marco Caressa who are
doing a magnificent work to help the World Tournament Director.
Unfortunately I have had no time to implement all my promises, but I do
hope that my successor will continue in the way already traced.
I have also decided to stop my CC career and I am very fortunate that my
last tournament was the Memorial Henk Mostert, a true friend of mine, who
was an example for me because he was a person who believed strongly in ICCF
motto "Amici sumus".
Thanks to all the friends who supported me and my actions to develop ICCF
and very sorry if my decision seems brutal or shocking.
Best regards,
Amici sumus,
Med Samraoui