Canadian Chess Association

Founded in 1872, the Canadian Chess Association held the annual Canadian Championships until being reborn in 1932. The year is the year of the election (late summer, early fall). Many early references use the year of fulfillment instead.

The 4th annual meeting of the CCA took place in Ottawa, 17 Aug 1875. From the Dubuque Chess Journal. A meeting included a tournament.

Chess Federation of Canada

Founded in Haileybury, Ontario, in 1932. Late in the 20th century, the most important offices in the federation were the ones given, but at other times Vice-President or Junior Coordinator (now Youth Coordinator) or even Rating Auditor may have played major roles. Another is the Rating Statistician who calculated, tabulated, and arranged for printing of the rating list. In 1959, Adrian J. van Lieshout of Smithers BC was elected to that post, one which he held for about a decade. Later Walter (Vlad) Dobrich took over the responsibility, then circa 1973 it passed permanently to the Business Office.

The year is the year of election. Place is the location of the Annual Meeting.

From the Secretary's Annual Report 1935-36: ...The most important work accomplished during the past year was re-writing the Constitution.... The other event of importance was the adoption of the Canadian Chessner as our official organ.

From a letter by T.Schofield, Jan 25, 1939 ...Our former Secretary, Mr. Trottier of Quebec City, reported at our last meeting that the "Minute Book" and all documents pertaining to our Federation were destroyed by fire at his house.

In the Canadian Supplement to Chess - October 1940: At the annual meeting of the CCF held at Montreal on Oct 5th it was decided that present officers would retain their positions until the new constitution, drawn up by J.P.Erichsen-Brown of Toronto, comes into force. The plan is to apply for a charter of incorporation and when this is granted the control of the Federation will be placed in the hands of a Board of Governors composed of two representatives from each province.

Organization known as Canadian Chess Federation until 1945 Annual Meeting, then Chess Federation of Canada. At the time it was to avoid confusion with the CCF political party. Later, putting Chess first paid off with regard to the organization's listing in the phone book.

The office of FIDE Representative was first suggested, and filled, at the 1945 annual meeting.

The 1953 President did not serve, and Nathan Divinsky became President in his absence.

Chess Chat Sept 1971 After 16 solid years as President, John Prentice ...

The Modern Era

In 1973, the CFC hired its first (part time) employee/contractor, Les Bunning, as Business Manager, thus transforming what had been a 100% volunteer operation. In the same year, it began to publish CFC Bulletin, a bi-monthly magazine. Soon thereafter, it began to sell chess equipment, then chess books.

1982 - the President served only part of the term. Vice President Bruce Thomas became President in his stead--and did a great job, I might add!

2001 - Sid Belzberg resigned and was replaced by Francisco Cabanas.

2002 - Fred McKim resigned and was replaced by Lyle Craver.

2004 - Van Dusen and Craver switched places in mid-term. The table shows the places after the switch.

2006 - Christopher Mallon was elected President, but resigned 4 months into his term. VP William Doubleday became President.

2007 - Bob Gillanders was elected Treasurer, but resigned almost immediately to become (office) Executive Director. The Treasurer post was vacant for most of the year, but filled near the end by Peter Stockhausen.

This page was started when I found considerable information on the subject in the LeDain collection at the National Archives of Canada. Stephen Wright has added several years' records (especially the 1950s) by researching in the Vancouver Province newspaper. Thanks to all. Additions and corrections are welcome!

URL: This web page is: http://members.shaw.ca/berry5868/cfcmtg.htm
Last modified February 7, 2010