FIDE ELO – arbiter requirements (4/4)

Steven Bellens     13.09.2024    1

In our April survey, a majority of respondents indicated their preference of moving towards a unified global rating system (FIDE). In order to have a good understanding of both systems, we are launching this series of articles. This is the last of four articles explaining the arbiter requirements:

  1. the FIDE ELO system, calculation rules and differences with our national ELO system
  2. the FIDE ELO cost structure
  3. the FIDE ELO reporting requirements
  4. the FIDE ELO arbiter requirements

In order for a tournament to be eligible for FIDE ELO processing:

List of FIDE arbiters

The FIDE arbiter database lists all FIDE licensed arbiters. Currently, 89 arbiters from the Belgian Federation are registered as FIDE licensed arbiter.

When examining our national player database, we have a total of 215 registered national arbiters. This means that approximately only 40% of national arbiters currently holds a FIDE arbiter license.

How do I become a FIDE licensed arbiter?

FIDE distinguishes between multiple arbiter levels. This article does not aim to give an overview of all different levels, but rather explains the minimum requirements to be – as a national arbiter – included in the FIDE arbiter list.

The FIDE handbook B.06.1 describes the requirements that candidates need to fullfill in order to become a FIDE licensed arbiter. Article 5.1 currently reads:

5.1 National federations may register their Arbiters of National level(s) with FIDE after approval by the FIDE Arbiters’ Commission.
5.1.1 Arbiters of National Level shall be at least 16 years old.

I am a National Arbiter – how do I register myself as a FIDE licensed arbiter?

  1. Make a request to fide@frbe-kbsb-ksb.be to be registered as a FIDE licensed arbiter.
  2. Attach a photo of yourself with the dimensions 600 x 480 pixels (exact!). This picture will be published both on the RBCF and FIDE websites.
  3. Pay the invoice of € 20 that will be sent to you by our treasurer.
  4. After reception of payment, the FIDE delegate of the RBCF initiates the license request with FIDE.
  5. After approximately one week (typically), FIDE will confirm reception and approval of the license.

How big is this arbiter problem when we switch to FIDE only reporting?

One of the arguments against moving to a FIDE-only ranking system, is the lack of FIDE licensed arbiters.

Let us examine a bit more in detail the situation in Belgium. First of all, we go look in the national elo reporting archives. When we take the last year of games reported (01.07.2023 → 30.06.2024) we have 88 different club numbers submitting reports.

Next, we look at the player database, and analyse the registered national arbiters. The 215 registered arbiters mentioned earlier, belong to 93 different clubs.

We then cross compare the clubs submitting ELO reports with the clubs that have active arbiters. This shows us that we have a total of 16 clubs that are actively submitting ELO reports, yet do not have a licensed national arbiter as one of their members.

How do I become a National Arbiter?

The appointment of arbiters is a responsibility of the community federations. This means that the procedure is different depending on the region you and your club are located in. Actions are currently ongoing to make these systems more uniform.

The Flemish community: the VSF is responsible. Their internal regulations (article 6) mention as requirements:

  • being affiliated to the VSF organisation
  • passing the examen of arbiter-C

The French community: the FEFB is responsible. Their arbiter regulations mention as requirements:

  • Having followed the courses and succeeded in the theoretical arbitration examination
  • Perform a practical internship as a assistant referee during two tournaments including results are approved by the fide
  • Having during these two tournaments, demonstrated his technical, ethical and arbitrator behavior
  • To do this, the main referees of these two tournaments will each transmit for theirs an assessment report to the FEFB manager of arbitration

The German community: the SVDB is responsible.

stefan timmemans
21.09.2024 - 13:44

Als je deze lijst bij dd hand neemt https://www.frbe-kbsb.be/sites/manager/GestionJOUEURS/ListeArbitres.php
Dan stel je vast dat we een hele hoopcarbiters hebben die niet meer geaffilieerd zijn, er niet meer bij kunnen zijn om nog niet te spreken van de grote groep c arbiters die voor curiositeit wel arbiter zijn in de jaren stillekes maar nooit daarmee iets gedaan hebben. Het is zeker nog niet zo rooskleurig als de aantallen laten vermoeden. Ook de gemiddelde leeftijd vd arbiters is hoog en er moet opvolging komen.

Reply

Comment

Please enter your full name (first and last) to leave a comment. Anonymous comments are not permitted.

More articles about ELO FIDE ELO

AdobeStock 968560961

FIDE ELO migration – where are we?

Steven Bellens    21.01.2025

With the general meeting from November 2024 two months in the past, I’d like to take the time to provide a brief overview of where we are in terms of the national ELO system, the plans to migrate to FIDE ELO only, and the changes that have been voted.

Read more
FIDE ELO vs national ELO

National ELO – january rankings available

ELO

Steven Bellens    03.01.2025    11

Our quarterly ranking update (January) has just been published. You can find the new rankings here. The General Assembly approved important changes in the way national ELO reporting needs to be carried out.

Read more
A detailed illustration explaining the ELO rating

National ELO rating system

   4

This article contains information about common questions on national rating calculation.

Read more
FIDE ELO vs national ELO

New ELO rankings on January 3rd (??)

ELO

Steven Bellens    26.12.2024    1

Your Player Manager is busy on the FIDE world Rapid & Blitz Championship in New York. We expect a slight delay in the publication of the new ELO rankings for beginning of 2025. You can expect an updated ranking list by January 3rd.

Read more