Fourth and last article dedicated to the 1st Chess Olympiad and the creation of the FI(D)E.
To begin with, here is a photo of the participants in the first Chess Olympiad, which appeared in the Belgian magazine L'Échiquier in 1925.
Zooming in on the photo.
From left to right: Mrs Holloway (England - 1st woman to play an Olympiad), Edgar Colle (Belgium), Alexandre Alekhine, Pierre Vincent, Jonet (Belgium), Lucien Sauphar (Mayor of the IXth arrondissement)
On the subject of the prize-giving for this first Olympiad, here is what Georges Renaud had to say in L'Éclaireur de Nice - quoted in Bulletin number 12 of the FFE.
Mr Mesureur, a former minister, was in the chair. He paid tribute to the organisers and the competitors who had fought so valiantly. He read an address of thanks to Mr Lucien Sauphar, Mayor of the 9th arrondissement, for his warm and generous hospitality, and another address of thanks to Mr Pointel, Vice-President of the City Council, who, on the previous Wednesday, had received the referees, officials and competitors at the Hôtel de Ville. Amidst the applause, he praised Mr Vincent for his creative efforts.
He then expressed everyone's gratitude to Grand Master A. Alekhine who, as Chairman of the Referees' Commission, had assumed this difficult role with all the weight of his high authority at the same time as with the kindest devotion."
Bulletin number 12 of the FFE (October 1924) - Result of the various preliminary groups.
He then gave the floor to M. Vincent. The friendly secretary general of the FFE then read out the official prize list, which is as follows:
Winner of the tournament: Amateur Chess Champion of the VIII Olympiad (with the title of Master):
1st Armand MATISSON (Latvia) vermeil medal
2nd Apscheneck (Latvia) silver medal
3rd Colle (Belgium) silver medal
All three also received an art plaque, donated by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, depicting the nymph Caissa playing chess.
4th Euwe (Holland) silver bronze medal; Vajda (Hungary) silver bronze medal; Tchepurnoff (Finland) silver bronze medal
7th Palau (Argentine Republic) silver bronze medal
8th Golmayo (Spain) silver bronze medal
9th Havasi (Hungary) silver bronze medal.
Subsidiary tournament
1st M. Hromadka (Czechoslovakia) silver bronze medal.
Bulletin number 12 of the FFE (October 1924) - Result of the winners' tournament won by Mattison.
Team rankings
1st Czechoslovakia - Four gilt bronze medals and an art plaque donated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2nd Hungary - Four silver bronze medals. Special mention for the participation of two players in the Final Tournament. Art plaque donated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
3rd Switzerland - Four bronze medals.
All players, referees and delegates also receive a diploma and a commemorative bronze medal.
An art plaque from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also presented to Master Alekhine as a souvenir. (...)
Then Lieutenant Gudju, a Romanian competitor, asked to speak. He explained that the participants in the tournament, wishing to express their gratitude to Grandmaster Alekhine "in whom he salutes the genius of chess", and to Mr Vincent, the soul of the tournament, "who, for everyone, represents France, the land of justice and freedom", had decided to offer them, by subscription, a souvenir. And he hands Master Alekhine a magnificent marble inkwell and a blotter on which all the competitors have signed, and, to Mr Vincent, a superb silver cigarette case.
Team rankings
1st Czechoslovakia - Four gilt bronze medals and an art plaque donated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2nd Hungary - Four silver bronze medals. Special mention for the participation of two players in the Final Tournament. Art plaque donated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
3rd Switzerland - Four bronze medals.
All players, referees and delegates also receive a diploma and a commemorative bronze medal.
An art plaque from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also presented to Master Alekhine as a souvenir. (...)
Then Lieutenant Gudju, a Romanian competitor, asked to speak. He explained that the participants in the tournament, wishing to express their gratitude to Grandmaster Alekhine "in whom he salutes the genius of chess", and to Mr Vincent, the soul of the tournament, "who, for everyone, represents France, the land of justice and freedom", had decided to offer them, by subscription, a souvenir. And he hands Master Alekhine a magnificent marble inkwell and a blotter on which all the competitors have signed, and, to Mr Vincent, a superb silver cigarette case.
This is the inkwell donated by the participants to Alekhine.
The grateful participants of the 1st Olympic chess tournament
Paris, July 1924
"(...) The large number of competitors and the limited time available meant that playing conditions were particularly arduous. You had to play two games a day, with only one hour to think about twenty moves, finish the games postponed from the previous day in the morning and therefore sometimes stay until ten o'clock almost consecutively... Yes, but it was an honest and fair Marathon, with the same strict rules for all, a Marathon that consecrated the triumph of the best... A Marathon destined to go down in history, and one that all the competitors have fond memories of.
Tribute must be paid to the French Chess Federation, promoter and organiser of this magnificent and unique international competition, which despite its youth - is it not the most recent of all similar federations? - It has not hesitated to assume responsibility".
It should be noted that a reception would be held to welcome the players, delegates and officials at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris late in the morning of Wednesday 16 July 1924.
Pierre Vincent indicated that the FFE planned to publish a book on the tournament "illustrated with numerous photographs". I must confess my ignorance on the subject, I do not know if this book ever saw the light of day, as I have not found any trace of it until now.
Pierre Vincent indicated that the FFE planned to publish a book on the tournament "illustrated with numerous photographs". I must confess my ignorance on the subject, I do not know if this book ever saw the light of day, as I have not found any trace of it until now.
Income and expenditure account for the Paris Tournament.
Among the subscribers were some well-known names of the time. Tauber, Edouard Pape, Sauphar, Léo Nardus, Gavarry...
Bulletin number 12 of the FFE speaks of course of the creation of the FIE, whose acronym will be changed in 1925 by "FIDE", and whose meaning remains the same: Fédération Internationale Des Échecs.
But as we have seen, it is above all the tournament that we are mainly talking about and which therefore occupies the main place. It was the first major international tournament organised in Paris since the 1900 tournament won by Lasker.
Bulletin number 12 of the FFE speaks of course of the creation of the FIE, whose acronym will be changed in 1925 by "FIDE", and whose meaning remains the same: Fédération Internationale Des Échecs.
But as we have seen, it is above all the tournament that we are mainly talking about and which therefore occupies the main place. It was the first major international tournament organised in Paris since the 1900 tournament won by Lasker.
International Chess Federation
The French Chess Federation had, in launching the idea of the Paris tournament, invited foreign Federations, to attend a Congress on Sunday 20 July, to found the International Chess Federation.
The chess world, which is now active and numerous, can only benefit from a single, active leadership.
While the tournament was taking place, the delegates of the various nations met in Commissions; and in full agreement, the Constitution of the International Chess Federation was decided. The protocol states that the F. I. E. was formed on the initiative of the F. F. E.
For the first year, the board was constituted as follows: President, Mr. A. Rueb, President of the Dutch Chess Federation; Vice-President, Mr. Leonard P. Rees, General Secretary of the British Chess Federation; Treasurer, Mr. Nicolet, Central Treasurer of the Swiss Chess Federation.
The General Secretariat is attached to the Presidency.
The following nations have become members of the F. I. E.
Argentine Republic, R. Grau.
Belgium, J. Weltjens.
Canada, S. F. Smith. S -F. Smith.
Spain, Count de Penalver.
France, P. Vincent.
Great Britain, Major F.-H. Rawlins.
Holland, A. Rueb.
Hungary, E. E. Abonyi.
Italy, T. Marusi.
Poland, M. Towbin.
Romania, Lieutenant Gudju.
Switzerland, M. Nicolet.
Czechoslovakia, K. Skalicka.
Yugo-Slavia, J.-M. Ovadia.
Photo L'Échiquier 1925
The countries where there is not yet a Federation are invited to form one as soon as possible, and to come and join the Federations grouped in the F.I.E. The delegates of the member nations will meet next spring (before the Prague Congress which is to prepare the programme of the Games of the IX Olympiad) in a Swiss town to be designated, to adopt the definitive statutes of the F. I. E..
The contribution of each national federation to the F.I.E. will be 300 French francs to ensure the running of the bureau.
The role of the International Chess Federation will be very important. The following questions have already been presented:
Uniform codification of the rules of the game; regulation of the International tournaments, of the national championships; world championship; internationalization of the initials of the pieces; definition of the amateurism; official admission of Chess to the Olympic Games of 1928, to the Conference of Prague 1925; definition of the title of Master; rights of the author for a game; badge, etc...
On the other hand, the F. I. E. intends to defend equally the professionals and the amateurs, whose interests are common for the progress in the game and its greater prosperity.
If Mr. A. Rueb was kind enough to congratulate the General Secretary of the F. F. E.., as the happy Father of the International Federation, at the end of a small banquet, at the Montmartre circle, Mr. G. Mesureur. fulfilling the functions of registrar, the great chess family is fully reassured to have entrusted the first steps of the F.I.E. to the expert hands of the distinguished President of the Dutch Chess Federation and of Mr. Strick van Linschoten. his devoted collaborator.
The contribution of each national federation to the F.I.E. will be 300 French francs to ensure the running of the bureau.
The role of the International Chess Federation will be very important. The following questions have already been presented:
Uniform codification of the rules of the game; regulation of the International tournaments, of the national championships; world championship; internationalization of the initials of the pieces; definition of the amateurism; official admission of Chess to the Olympic Games of 1928, to the Conference of Prague 1925; definition of the title of Master; rights of the author for a game; badge, etc...
On the other hand, the F. I. E. intends to defend equally the professionals and the amateurs, whose interests are common for the progress in the game and its greater prosperity.
If Mr. A. Rueb was kind enough to congratulate the General Secretary of the F. F. E.., as the happy Father of the International Federation, at the end of a small banquet, at the Montmartre circle, Mr. G. Mesureur. fulfilling the functions of registrar, the great chess family is fully reassured to have entrusted the first steps of the F.I.E. to the expert hands of the distinguished President of the Dutch Chess Federation and of Mr. Strick van Linschoten. his devoted collaborator.
Photo L'Échiquier (personal collection) - The 1st Congress of the International Chess Federation (Paris - July 1925).
It is interesting to see that the 1st FIDE banquet was organised at the "cercle de Montmartre". This was the very young "Fou du Roi" created a few years earlier and which is close to my heart, as I was its president in the 90s!
Edward Winter quotes the late Luc Winants, who indicates that the December 1924 bulletin of the Belgian Chess Federation mentions a fifteenth signatory in the person of Tschepurnoff for Finland.
It is true that he was one of the players at the Olympiad, but it is surprising that neither La Stratégie (August 1924) nor the FFE's bulletin n°12 mentions his presence.
Finally, to conclude, here is the draft FIDE statutes as sent to members at the 1925 congress in Zurich - Indicated by Edward Winter who unfortunately does not cite his source.
STATUTES OF THE FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DES ECHECS.
Art. 1. 1 The purpose of the F.I.E., founded on 20 July 1924 in Paris, is to develop the art of chess as a universal game, to propagate the idea of understanding between chess units and to promote all international events relating to the game.
1. 2. It proposes to regulate the F.I.E. championship and the F.I.E. team and personal championships.
2.1 The F.I.E is essentially constituted for international relations only.
2.2 The F.I.E. has no intention of interfering with the freedom of internal organisation and international events of its member units.
2.3 The F.I.E. shall be based on the principle of the perfect equality of its members.
2.4 The F.I.E. shall observe absolute neutrality in matters of national and international policy.
3.1 Membership of the F.I.E. is open to: any unit, whatever its name, tending to govern the game of chess in one or more sovereign territories, except where a unit, governing a territory of which the applicant's territory is a part, is already affiliated, or has just applied for affiliation.
3. 2 States which are part of a Federal State or Federation of States, as well as colonial domains, are considered as sovereign territories.
4. All member units shall contribute to the costs of the F.I.E. by paying a fixed entrance fee and an annual subscription, depending on their financial situation.
5.1 The General and Permanent Committee of the F.I.E. shall be composed of representatives of the affiliated units.
5.2. The members of the General Committee shall have the right of initiative before the Central Committee and the General Assembly.
Edward Winter quotes the late Luc Winants, who indicates that the December 1924 bulletin of the Belgian Chess Federation mentions a fifteenth signatory in the person of Tschepurnoff for Finland.
It is true that he was one of the players at the Olympiad, but it is surprising that neither La Stratégie (August 1924) nor the FFE's bulletin n°12 mentions his presence.
Finally, to conclude, here is the draft FIDE statutes as sent to members at the 1925 congress in Zurich - Indicated by Edward Winter who unfortunately does not cite his source.
Art. 1. 1 The purpose of the F.I.E., founded on 20 July 1924 in Paris, is to develop the art of chess as a universal game, to propagate the idea of understanding between chess units and to promote all international events relating to the game.
1. 2. It proposes to regulate the F.I.E. championship and the F.I.E. team and personal championships.
2.1 The F.I.E is essentially constituted for international relations only.
2.2 The F.I.E. has no intention of interfering with the freedom of internal organisation and international events of its member units.
2.3 The F.I.E. shall be based on the principle of the perfect equality of its members.
2.4 The F.I.E. shall observe absolute neutrality in matters of national and international policy.
3.1 Membership of the F.I.E. is open to: any unit, whatever its name, tending to govern the game of chess in one or more sovereign territories, except where a unit, governing a territory of which the applicant's territory is a part, is already affiliated, or has just applied for affiliation.
3. 2 States which are part of a Federal State or Federation of States, as well as colonial domains, are considered as sovereign territories.
4. All member units shall contribute to the costs of the F.I.E. by paying a fixed entrance fee and an annual subscription, depending on their financial situation.
5.1 The General and Permanent Committee of the F.I.E. shall be composed of representatives of the affiliated units.
5.2. The members of the General Committee shall have the right of initiative before the Central Committee and the General Assembly.
In addition, to this series of 4 articles, you can consult:
In French, 3 articles written in 2015 by Georges Bertola on the creation of FIDE
https://www.europe-echecs.com/art/paris-1924-creation-de-la-fide-1-5784.html
https://www.europe-echecs.com/art/paris-1924-creation-de-la-fide-2-5792.html
https://www.europe-echecs.com/art/paris-1924-creation-de-la-fide-3-5799.html
https://www.europe-echecs.com/art/paris-1924-creation-de-la-fide-2-5792.html
https://www.europe-echecs.com/art/paris-1924-creation-de-la-fide-3-5799.html
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