Executive Board Meeting in 78th FIDE Congress started in Kemer, Antalya. On the first day, the most important parts of the agenda were FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov's speech and finalization of the agreement between FIDE and Global Chess BV, the "pillar of promotion of the chess" in the world.

After the finalization of the agreement Geoffrey Borg, FIDE Vice President and CEO of Global Chess BV resinged from his post in FIDE due to complying with transparency of future projects. Ilzyumzhiov thanked the most dynamic chess politician in the world and suggested the Board that TCF President Ali Nihat Yazıcı the election to the resiged post. Hence, Yazıcı was elected as FIDE Vice President and sat down among the Presidential Board in the next session. TCF Press Officer Özgür Akman's notes from the first day of the Executive Board Meeting are at the link below.

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Executive Board of 78th FIDE Congress started with the speech of FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov about the activities of FIDE since the Congress in Turin when he was elected President again. In his regular annual delivery, Kirsan Nikolayevich mainly concentrated on the issue of chess becoming purt of the Olympiads. "There are more people interested in chess around the world than some other people are in some sports that are already in the Olmypiads" He also stressed that it is one of FIDE's main tasks to include chess in the Olympiads.

There was a welcome cocktail during the two sessions on the first day of the meeting in which TCF presented gifts to FIDE President Ilyumzhinov and other members of the Executive Board and delegates in the meeting.

After the morning session there was a welcome cocktail organized by Turkish Chess Federation where some local journalists were also invited. TCF President Ali Nihat Yazıcı presented gifts to President Ilyumzhinov and other board members. During the meeting our press team had an interview with Mr.Ilyumzhinov signalled a major change in one of the major FIDE posts which was announced in the afternoon session.

CEO of Global Chess and now former FIDE Vice President Geoffrey Borg, FIDE President and Head of Kalmykia Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, Deputy President Georgios Makropoulos and Treasurer Nigel Freeman

The major decision of the afternoon session was the finalization of the agreement between FIDE and Global Chess. This agreement covers topics including promotion of chess around the world both at local and global level, organization of the new world championship system with world cups and grand prixs, the support to FIDE web site. Ilyumzhinov pointed out that Global Chess BV is a child whose milk is quite expensive and  that he spent on extensively (5 million Euros up to now) for the corporation: "...However, it is not the child of Bessel or mine ...It is the children of chess. World is changing and we have to adopt ourselves."

After journalists were allowed to take pictures from FIDE officials and Geoffrey Borg, CEO of Global Chess BV and also Vice Presidents of FIDE made a short speech to resign his post in FIDE in order to preserve the  transparency among both institutions and left the stage in the meeting hall where members of the Presidential Board were seated.

Afterwards, Mr.Ilyumzhinov reminded as Borg was one of the members of the Right Move team before the FIDE elections in Turin and he was the only oppositionary member in the Presidential Board, however, worked for the PB after the elections. He pointed out that Borg is a very dynamic personality and brought many assets to FIDE during his tenure for about one and a half year.

Ali Nihat Yazıcı (far left) replacing his close friend Borg's seat among the Presidential Board

Then, he suggested President of Turkish Chess Federation Ali Nihat Yazıcı for this post since Turkish chess is showing "an unbelievable progress" under the leadership of Mr.Yazıcı and his staff. The Board members elected Mr.Yazıcı unanmiously to the Vice Presidency of FIDE and took a seat among the Presidential Board. In a short speech he stated that TCF and himself have more responsibility for the chess world: "We have to work even harder since we have a bigger responsibility." Yazıcı also stated that Turkey is going to be candidate for the first 2008 Grand Prix which is expected to be organized in April 2008, Women's World Championship in 2010, World Cup 2013 and 2012 Chess Olympiads.

In the second day of the meeting, the organizer of World Youth Championship is going to be voted. The three remanining candidates are Turkey, Argentina and Montenegro.