New Year’s greetings of IDF President Vladimir Langin
Dear friends!
On behalf of the International Draughts Federation (IDF) and myself personally, I congratulate all draughts players, coaches, organizers, officials and all draughts lovers on the coming New Year!
In 2024, draughts-64 continued its successful development.
All the planned competitions of the IDF calendar were held.
– the Asian Championship, qualifying for the 2024 World Championship, in which more than 250 athletes from 10 countries took part in different types of draughts, was held in Tashkent (Uzbekistan).
– the European Youth Championship in Türkiye (120 athletes, 9 countries);
– the main tournament of the year – the World Championship among men and women in Russia, which was held at a high level, with a large representation of countries (more than 100 athletes, 27! countries) and with a good prize fund of about 55,000 US dollars)
– the World Youth Championship with the World Championship standings among students and the World Veterans Championship in Türkiye (200 athletes, 17 countries).
– four stages of the World Cup were held twice in Türkiye, in Uzbekistan and for the first time in Mongolia! 248 athletes from 18 countries took part in the four stages of the World Cup.
Based on the results of the competitions and fulfillment of the norms of international titles in 2024, various titles were awarded to 36 athletes and 4 referees.
A new program for drawing lots for IDF tournaments, developed in Russia (developer Zakharov), was introduced. For the first time in our tournaments, it was used at the World Championships among men and women.
The IDF also has big plans for 2025.
In April, Türkiye will host the European Championships among men and women, qualifying for the 2026 World Championship at a high level with a good prize fund, as well as the European Youth Championship and the World Cup stage.
At the European Championships among men and women a new formula for playing out games in the final eight will be used in the rapid program (to be published in the Regulations on the European Championship).
The World Cup stage will traditionally be held in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) in May 2025.
In October-November, Türkiye will host the World Youth Championship, including the World Student Championship, the World Veterans Championship, and after a break, the World Team Championship among youth teams (separately among boys’ and girls’ teams, the team consists of 3 people – 1 player each U17, U14, U11, younger players will be able to play in older ages) and the World Cup stage.
In the World Cup stage, for the first time, a separate program for reverse draughts (give-away) will be experimentally held without counting points in the 2024-2025 World Cup.
At the suggestion of the players’ commission, the rules for assigning IDF international titles will be changed from 2025:
As before, the International Grandmaster norm must be achieved at least three times, including 2 times in official IDF competitions and once (new!) in national championships (with the participation of at least 4 international grandmasters in the national championship). The requirements for achieving the rating remain.
At the World and European Women’s Rapid and Blitz Championships, the champion will automatically receive the title of Women’s International Grandmaster if she has the title of Women’s International Master (with at least 4 International Grandmasters participating in the championship).
Increased attention will be paid to ensuring that all participants of the competitions comply with the dress code in accordance with the Competition Regulations (fine and disqualification from the awards ceremony if they appear in the playing area without complying with the dress code).
New medals and awards will be made.
Attention will be paid to popularizing draughts-64 on the Internet.
I wish everyone health, personal well-being, success and new achievements in sports and personal life in 2025, as well as prosperity to our favorite sport that unites us all!
Vladimir Langin
IDF President
