In the world of competitive chess, a bitter and profound division has torn the very fabric of the sport, with repercussions echoing far beyond the chessboard.
In 1993, the longstanding feud between Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov reached a breaking point, leading to a historic split within the chess community.
Kasparov, along with other top players, broke away from the international governing body, FIDE, to form the Professional Chess Association (PCA), sparking a rivalry between two rival world champions: Kasparov’s PCA-backed title and Karpov’s FIDE-recognized crown.
The chess world now faces a deepening rift, as both factions fight for control over the future of the sport, its reputation, and its legacy. While FIDE maintains its grip on the global chess community, ensuring its longstanding influence, the PCA promises a more professional, player-centric approach, drawing the world’s top talents.
Amid this escalating conflict, the very concept of what it means to be "World Champion" is at stake.
Can a compromise be reached to reunite the sport, or will the division create a permanent fracture in the game of kings?
The future of chess itself hangs in the balance.
Crisis Director
Seo Yun (Christina) Kim
Rules and Procedure
This committee follows parliamentary procedure as defined in our Crisis Committee Parley Pro Document. However, procedure during committee may be modified at the Moderator’s discretion.
Position Paper
All delegates wishing to be considered for an award must submit a position paper before the start of conference. Position paper quality will be included in consideration of awards, however paper quality will not hold as much weight in award consideration as actual committee performance. Position papers are meant to ensure a basis for delegate research and help delegates feel confident while participating during the conference.
Detailed instructions for writing and submitting Position Papers can be found in the Position Paper Guidelines Document.
Questions
If you have questions about committee content or the format of your committee, please contact your Crisis Director at contact@ctmun.org with “Chess in Turmoil: FIDE vs PCA: FIDE” in the subject line.
For questions about CTMUN conference and logistics, please contact contact@ctmun.org.