13.05.88

Urgent attention: Florencio Campomanes

FIDE President

Dear Campo,

The following recommendation has been signed en masse by all top players in the world, including Kasparov, Karpov, Timman, Ljubojevich, Korchnoi, Andersson, Speelman, Yusupov, Short, Hjartarson, Van der Wiel, Kavalek, Agdestein, Chandler, Pinter, Sosonko, etc:

“Re: introduction of ratings and the awarding of Master and Grandmaster titles for so-called "active chess" events.

We the undersigned players declare that we categorically refuse to participate in any so-called “active chess” tournaments subsequent to the continental championships in May and June this year, unless we have a written guarantee from FIDE that no ratings, International Master and Grandmaster titles will be awarded on the basis of performances in these events.

We sincerely believe that the awarding of titles in such events would lead to the devaluation of the existing IM and IGM titles, and cause confusion in the media and amongst sponsors.”

The players would appreciate receiving an immediate response from you that FIDE will not pursue ratings and the awarding of IM and GM titles for the active chess cycle. If they receive such a guarantee they will not have to proceed with their plan to issue the statement condemning the awarding of titles to the world’s press. They feel it would benefit both the active chess cycle and their own professional concerns, and ask that you respond at your earliest care of Jan Timman, Barbizon Palace hotel, Amsterdam telex No 10187.

Kind regards,

Bessel Kok