For many people, Monday is the worst day of the week. For me, the worst day is Wednesday. On Woden's Day, the previous weekend is a distant memory and next weekend, a future dream. It also happens to be my quietest day, when I have the fewest regularly scheduled weekly activities. From now on, Wednesday will be the day I post to this blog. That should guarantee at least one post per week and four per month. Even if the posts are journal entries documenting links, it's better than nothing. If I'm feeling really ambitious, I might even update the World Championship site.
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I added a new link to the 'Other WCC Sites' sidebar : Chessgames.com • WCC Index compiled by Hesam7, 'I am building a World Chess Championship index similar to what is done by Mark Weeks'. Thanks for the mention Hesam7 (why 7?) and good luck with your project.
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Of all the events that have occurred over the past two months, the most important is Global Chess BV. Yes, I know the Candidate Matches are taking place, but they are not yet finished. There are so many good news sites. Who needs another, mediocre one? I've always thought of my World Championship site as a reference site, not a news site.
FIDE and Global Chess. Press Release
http://fide.com/news.asp?id=1309
Full text of the press release:
The FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Mr Bessel Kok have met in Dresden to announce formally the commencement of operations of Global Chess BV. The main office will be in Amsterdam where negotiations on space in the MAX EUWE CENTRUM are in a final stage. A branch office in Lausanne is also envisaged. • The first part of the working capital has been transferred to Global Chess BV and this will permit the Company to finalize negotiations with FIDE on a commercial licence agreement. • Upon conclusion of the license agreement, Global Chess will (in cooperation with FIDE) start working on World Class Chess tournaments (including the WCC cycle as from 2008). Global Chess will equally examine investment opportunities in Chess related projects and ventures. • The Chairman of Global Chess BV will be Mr Bessel Kok and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company will be Mr Geoffrey Borg. • Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, Bessel Kok [4 April 2007]
Global Chess BV [lots of comments]
http://www.chessninja.com/dailydirt/2007/04/global_chess_bv.htm
'The pro management company planned by FIDE has been formally announced in Dresden by FIDE prez Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and the chairman of the new company, Bessel Kok.' [3 April 2007]
Global Chess to operate out of Amsterdam
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=3817
'In December 2006 we reported that FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov had launched a ten-million dollar company to be run by Dutch businessman Bessel Kok. Now that company, Global Chess, has now taken residence in the Max Euwe Center in Amsterdam. The web site Chess Vibes met with the main Global Chess officers and has provided indepth video interviews.' [27 April 2007]
Head office Global Chess at the Max Euwe Center - interview with Bessel Kok
http://www.chessvibes.com/?p=794&lp_lang_view=en
'ChessVibes had [video] interviews with Bessel Kok and with Geoffrey Borg, about the cooperation with the Max Euwe Center and especially about the plans of Global Chess BV.' [26 April 2007]
Malta Chess Federation President appointed CEO of Global Chess BV
http://www.maltamedia.com/artman2/publish/sports/article_1764.shtml
'Mr.Borg is also currently a Vice-President of FIDE, as well as General Secretary of the Mediterranean Chess Association (MCA). He was elected to the Presidential Board of FIDE in an election held in Torino, Italy in May, 2006. This new appointment is a prestigious opportunity not only for Maltese Chess but also for Maltese Sport in general.' [7 May 2007; more details on Borg's career]
Kok and his wife were also featured on the cover of the May 2007 Europe Echecs. An interview with Kok, offering insights not found elsewhere, was inside (p.15-19).
