New Year’s greetings of Vladimir Langin, president of the International Draughts Federation (IDF)
Dear friends!
On behalf of the International Draughts Federation (IDF) and me personally I congratulate draughts players, coaches, organizers, officials and all fans of draughts on the New Year!
Before the New Year, we always remember the work done and our achievements, as well as share our plans for the future.
In 2021, the main events of the IDF calendar were held:
– European Youth Championship and World Cup in Turkey (10 countries);
– the World Youth Championship, the World Team Championships among men, women and youth teams, the World Championship among veterans and the World Cup in Bulgaria. A total of 290 players from 13 countries took part in the competitions in Bulgaria.
10 men’s teams and 9 women’s teams (1 team from a country) took part in the World Team Championship. For the first time according the results of the World Team Championship the following players were awarded the title of International Grandmaster: Ageikin Artem, Shchukin Roman (Russia), Kunitsa Aleksei (Belarus), Misans Roberts, Valneris Guntis, Purvins Guntars (Latvia), Gaidarji Marija (Moldova).
The reporting IDF General Assembly was held there in Bulgaria, which did not take place in 2020 due to COVID-19.
The final stage of the World Cup was held in Portugal.
89 players from 16 countries took part in all three stages of the 2021 World Cup.
In Jõgeva, Estonia, the European Championship among men and women was held at a high level. More than 60 players from 13 European countries took part in the championship; the prize fund was $ 25,000.
2022 is a jubilee year for IDF! We will be 10 years old!
All these 10 years IDF has been actively promoting and developing draughts-64 in the world, positioning draughts-64 as a serious and respected sport. From 2013 to 2019, 4 world championships were held at a high level, with a large representation of countries and worthy prize funds (in 2017, 44 countries, prize fund $ 55,000).
Continental and world championships, world cups, major international tournaments were held as planned.
IDF has deservedly gained a reputation as a successful, stable and reliable organization that always fulfills its obligations.
In 2022, we are entering with good prospects.
The IDF calendar includes:
– European Youth Championship and World Cup in Turkey;
– World Championship, World Team Championships among men, women and youth teams, World Championship among veterans and World Cup in Bulgaria;
– stages of the World Cup in Jõgeva (Estonia), Portugal and Israel;
– continental championships: Asian Championship and African Championship;
– a number of international tournaments, including those on the American continent;
– as well as the main tournament of the year – the World Championship among men and women, which will be held at a high level, with a large representation of countries (over 30) and with a good prize fund (over $ 40,000).
In 2022, other forms of holding competitions will also develop, and the material and technical base will be improved.
I hope that in 2022 all the planned competitions of the IDF calendar will be completed in full and we will meet more often.
I wish everyone in 2022 health, personal well-being, success and new achievements in sports and personal life, prosperity to our favorite sport!
Vladimir Langin
President IDF
