FIDE votes to shorten playing time

Notwithstanding opposition from the orthodox exponents of the game, FIDE, the world governing body of Chess, on Wednesday voted to reduce the playing time from six hours to four -- aiming to improve the marketability of the sport.

Former World No.3 Valery Salov of Russia was one of the staunch opponents of the drastic time reduction, but the FIDE Presidential Board passed the resolution by a majority vote.

Georgian Grandmaster Zurab Azmaiparashvilli supported the move which also rejected the Salov formula of time control.

Under the new rule each player will get two hours to make 60 moves and after the first time control is applied, every move made will add 30 seconds to the players' clock.

The FIDE will introduce Annual Chess Grand Prix for the first time with ELO points assured for all placings. Under the new format, 14 players with most points at the end of the season will be invited for the FIDE Grand Prix final.

The world body would nominate two players to the list of 14 players completing the tally of 16 players for the event.

The meeting, which decided to make wide ranging changes in the conduct of the game, was chaired by FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov at the Chess Palace in Tehran. The board consisted of top FIDE officials and players.

The changes will come into effect from January 1, 2001.