The European Chess Union is a not-for-profit organization that provides the world chess community with a complete program of chess activities for all levels and an efficient support structure. The E.C.U. is made up of 54 member Federations with a population of 830,000,000 

The majority of titled and professional players are established within Europe and in the January 2010 rating list, out of just over 12,000 titled players in the World, there were 75% of them coming from E.C.U. member Federations. In the highest title category (GM) there are 1,178 GMs (male and female titles) in Europe out of 1,512 in all of FIDE!

However, major challenges, and at the same time, opportunities, face the E.C.U. in the future. The increasing competition of vast number of other leisure activities and a lack of a concrete development program for chess in E.C.U. Federations are a strong signal for a strategic approach to making chess a viable proposition for sponsors and for an efficient marketing structure.

This strategic plan is based on two critical stages. The first stage will be to restructure the European Chess Union and review all the venues and tournaments and ensure that they are at a satisfactory level. The organisational structure will be strengthened and a financial budget of 1 million euros will be established by the Istanbul Olympiad in 2012. The key objective is for E.C.U to have its own building and at least 5 professional employees working full time for Europe

The second stage will be to assist and help develop Federations through chess in schools programs and technical development of arbiters, trainers, teachers and professional support staff.

Change is required, structurally and administratively, in order that the European Chess Union continues to develop and improve the delivery of a new strategic plan. The E.C.U. has to constantly understand and meet the evolving demands of players, organisers, arbiters, trainers, sponsors, Federations and other stakeholders.

The E.C.U. Board, Commissions, staff and volunteers must persist in working towards providing a quality experience through chess, in the most effective and efficient manner possible with optimism for the future of this exceptional organization.

Specific Commissions for Chess in Schools, Arbiters, Trainers and Events will be set up. Objectives of each Commission will be clearly stated and at the same time measured against achievements. Resources have to be controlled effectively and results forthcoming.

In line with most commercial entities, The E.C.U. operates within its own business sector - the sports industry – and  as such there are many other sports and recreational activities that all compete for existing and potential sponsors’ investment.

It is imperative that we continually develop quality products and support services that will meet and exceed expectations. To retain and expand our business, we must aim to provide a unique combination of opportunities and services for all the chess partners.

We must proactively seek new partnerships to provide the necessary financial base for additional development programmes and for the promotion of significant chess events. It is believed that efficient administration, quality products and services and the ability to secure long-term funding arrangements, are vital to our continued expansion within the sports industry.

The increased professionalisation of the E.C.U. is also a major factor in the delivery of development programmes, therefore we must ensure that our business operations are well planned, that resources are allocated appropriately and that targets implemented effectively.

Additionally, the E.C.U. must secure its administrative operations both from a financial and organisational perspective. A professional organisation, however, requires adequate financing and only in this way, will appropriate programmes, services and promised be delivered.

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