New Opportunity to Establish Worldwide Rating

It is the goal of the GLPAC or World Chess League to provide for all a rating and ranking, without dues requirements, travel to far-away tournaments, political maneuvering, or adoption of any one paticular category of play (over-the-board, correspondence, internet, standard-time, blitz, etc.). It is our contention that achieving titles of international significance is not possible for many talented and devoted chessplayers, due to the cost and administrative obstacles involved.

"But the chess players have fenced themselves off in their tiny world and refuse to see that it has long since ceased to be an ivory tower and has become an empty tin can. They exploit the image created by past generations--that chess is a super-intellectual game, the game of kings. But, in so doing, they have killed respect for all the games played a hundred or two hundred years ago. To believe some "stars", their predecessors couldn't play at all, no one understood anything in chess. Philidor, La Bourdonnais, Morphy, Tarrasch...To them these are just exhibits in a museum of curiousities. Morphy, they snort, only played weak opponents. Maybe, but he played them like a genius!"--David Bronstein

We therefore announce the formation of this collective, the World Chess League, and announce its mission as follows:
1) To maintain, free of charge, ratings and rankings for any players who submit game scores, as long as they provide all the necessary information. (See submittal link above.) A player submitting game scores shall become a member of the World Chess League if he/she agrees with the mission laid out on this page, and with the assorted operating guidelines mentioned on the submittal page.

2) To issue and recognize titles for players who have reached certain levels of success, specifically,
A player who has a rating of 2200 and above shall be known as a Master, recognized by the World Chess League as playing at Master strength.
When a Master has defeated 66% of any group of Masters from his/her country of residence, the Master shall be known as a National Master (NM), recognized by the World Chess League as playing at Master strength from border-to-border in his/her country of residence. A mimimum of 6 games is required to establish the percentage.
When a National Master has defeated 66% of any group of National Masters having among them at least six different countries of residence, the National Master shall be known as an International Master (IM), recognized by the World Chess League as playing at Master strength in international competition. A minimum of 9 games is required to establish the percentage.
When the International Master has defeated 66% of any group of International Masters having among them at least six different countries of residence, the International Master shall be known as an International Grandmaster (GM), recognized by the World Chess League as playing at Master strength the world over. A minimum of 12 games is required to establish the percentage.

Once granted, titles will not be revoked, even if the titleholder terminates membership in the World Chess League. All previous ratings and titles from other chess sanctioning and governing bodies shall be accepted by the World Chess League. A player who has qualified for a title in another organization need not qualify again in the World Chess League.

The World Chess League does not recognize a World Champion at the current time, and will only do so if a majority of members decides it is necessary. To raise this issue or any other, a member need only e-mail a suggestion to worldchessleague and the suggestion or recommendation shall be posted and votes invited. After 30 days, the unique votes shall be counted and the result posted, with the appropriate changes instituted.

The World Chess League makes no gender or age distinctions in its ratings or titles. We will, however, offer various awards and/or recognition from time to time for best play in certain categories or tournaments.

"But by declaring themselves professionals, they are, as it were, declaring in advance that they are superior. This produces an elite group, and ratings are a big help to them in this, enabling them to admit some to their group and reject others. And to keep out a vast number of gifted young people in this way..."--Bronstein

The World Chess League will arrange, from time to time, tournaments for those attempting to achieve the titles above. The frequency of such tournaments depends upon the availability of qualified players. The World Chess Leaque will also attempt to arrange games and matches for members to the best of its ability. The titles may, of course, be achieved without participation in events arranged by the World Chess League.

The World Chess League believes that with the increasing availability of global communications, chessplayers can engage each other as never before, revealing the true talents of many individuals. By dispensing with bureaucracy and expense, the World Chess League endeavors to return chess competition to the players of the world, whether professional, amateur or casual.

"...they have created the illusion that they alone can place a bishop on b5! That they alone know how to centralise a rook! That they alone understand a position!"--Bronstein

From time to time, the World Chess League will arrange games, matches, or tournaments with cash prizes. This may be contingent upon the securing of suitable sponsors.

The World Chess League will make no profit from its rating, ranking, and titling services, which are free of fees or other charges to all players submitting games or information in accordance with the submittal form. (Certain specially-designated game, match and tournament arrangements may involve a profit, if possible.)

Any legal issues related to membership within the World Chess League shall be decided in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, United States of America. Any legal action against the World Chess League or its organizers, directors, staff, volunteers, etc., must be filed within Illinois.

This mission statement and guidelines are subject to revision, and all players shall have the opportunity to terminate their memberships upon such revision.