APPLYING TO BE A FIDE ACADEMY

This is detailed in the chapter B07 of the FIDE Handbook and which reads as follows:

6. FIDE Endorsed Academies Program

6.1. TRG organizes and runs the FIDE Endorsed Academy Program where a FIDE Endorsed Academy is expected to cooperate with TRG and FIDE so as to be able take a role in chess development activities at a level expected of a FIDE named entity, and in doing so, may use on its official documents and promotional materials, the FIDE logo as approved by TRG.

6.2. FIDE Endorsed Academies will be categorized into the following levels, valid for two years before review, with the corresponding rights and obligations:

a) Level 1 / Professional

Basic Requirements

From a minimum of 25 main students, five (5) should have an average FIDE rating of 2100, or the academy has achieved three (3) medals in a year or five (5) in two years at classical chess time controls, under 8 to under18 age-group categories where the achievement is Gold at National Championships and/or Gold, Silver or Bronze at World and/or Continental Youth and Cadet championships.

Dedicated business premises with classrooms, library/resource center, all needed chess equipment including the use of computer technology for the number and level of academy students.

Coaching staff must have two dedicated FST or one FST + two FT, all with current license.

Organizing and/or participation in at least one of social and grassroots development projects, scholastic chess programs, the hosting of FIDE and/or National seminars, workshops and camps.

Special FIDE Rights

Have the right to enter one non official player in each age group category of a FIDE event that is not part of the FIDE World Championship cycle and also in that of the Continent and region where the Federation it is registered with is a member, which is the World and Continental Junior, Youth, Cadet and Schools Championships, and also teams in the World U-16 Olympiad.

Have the right to organize FIDE titled and rating events subject to approval by TRG and both the Events and Qualification Commissions, and to inform and submit report via respective National Chess Federation.

b) Level 2 / Clubs

Basic Requirements

From a minimum of 25 main students, five (5) should have an average FIDE rating of 1800.

Operating or business premises, dedicated or shared with parent organization, having classrooms and all needed chess equipment for the number and level of academy students.

Coaching staff must have two dedicated FT or one FT + two FI, all with current license

Special FIDE Rights

Have the right to organize FIDE rating events subject to approval by TRG and both the Events and Qualification Commissions, and to inform and submit report via respective National Chess Federation.

c) Level 3 /Scholastic

Basic Requirements

A minimum of 100 students, at the academy and/or in schools taught by the academy.

Business premises and appropriate chess equipment and teaching materials for the number and levels of students.

Official permission by relevant authorities.

Coaching staff must have one dedicated FI or NI or two dedicated DI, all with current license.

Special FIDE Rights

The organizing of teacher workshops and co-hosting and participation in children chess camps.

6.3. FIDE Endorsed Academies are required to provide an annual report by the end of January of the following year, and are also required to respond to any requests for information by TRG within 10 working days.

The annual membership yearly fee for a FIDE Endorsed Academy is to be paid by the end of January each year.

b) Should a FIDE Endorsed Academy fail to comply with its financial obligations to FIDE, it’s governing FIDE Trainer and the National Chess Federation and/or Continental or FIDE Affiliated Organization (depending on which of these legal entities expressed support for the Academy’s application in accordance with 4.2. (a) shall be held liable and the Academy cannot participate in FIDE and TRG programs until all obligations have been met.

c) If a FIDE Endorsed Academy changes ownership or partial ownership, its status shall be reconfirmed by TRG. This shall not be a political process, but an administrative one, unless TRG feels it is in FIDE’s interest to review the transition of ownership.

d) It shall be considered unethical and deceptive to use the FIDE logo and/or the FIDE Endorsed Academy status in a misleading context or misrepresentation by not explicitly stating the time period for which a valid license was held.

e) A FIDE Endorsed Academy is held to the highest standards of care regarding its association with FIDE, and any misrepresentation or breach of standard of care, even non-compliance in either administrative or financial matters will result in suspension by decision of TRG Council and even termination after review by the FIDE Management Board and its subsequent recommendation to the FIDE Council.

6.4. It is expected that the Academies that have been granted the relevant status before the date of these regulations will do their best in order to comply with the requirements specified herein as soon as possible, and full compliance is expected no later than on the 1st of January 2022.

6.5 Where an existing academy is unable to meet any obligations of their given level of FIDE Endorsed Academy status during the two (2) year period of award, TRG will allow membership renewal at the same level provided this is rectified with six (6) months or until the end of the National Youth and Cadet Championships, failing which their status will be changed accordingly.

6.6. Application

a) A FIDE Endorsed Academy must be a legal entity and underwritten by a FIDE licensed trainer and must be supported by the respective National Chess Federation and/or Continental or FIDE Affiliated Organization in its jurisdiction, with a 10 working days period for any objections. In exceptional cases, however, TRG may accept other written confirmations of the applicant’s good reputation, provided that such confirmations are exhaustive, reliable and confirm the reputation without any reasonable doubt.

b) An application must be made together with the registration fee which is inclusive of the year of award.

c) It is a requirement that a FIDE Endorsed Academy has FIDE licensed trainers in its employment.

d) FIDE Endorsed Academies shall be named appropriately. An academy shall not be seen to represent a country or federation – without being owned or run exclusively by that federation. Nor shall the Academy be named in a way that can mislead third parties – for example by being seen as a part of FIDE, rather than affiliated with FIDE.