Governance & Structure
The International Committee of Deaf Chess (ICCD) operates under a democratic, transparent and internationally aligned system of governance, designed to ensure institutional continuity, accountability and effective management of Deaf chess worldwide, in accordance with its Statutes.
The ICCD Congress is the supreme governing authority of the organization. It brings together representatives of national Deaf chess federations and associations and is responsible for the most important institutional decisions, including the election of the Executive Board, approval and amendment of statutes and regulations, and the allocation of future championships and official events. Congresses are traditionally held in conjunction with major ICCD competitions, reinforcing the close link between governance and sporting activity.
Between Congresses, the ICCD is managed by the Executive Board, which provides strategic leadership, oversees the implementation of Congress decisions, coordinates international activities, and ensures the proper functioning of competitions, administration and external relations. The Executive Board is supported by the General Secretariat, which is responsible for administrative, organizational and financial management.
ICCD Executive Board (2022–2026)
The ICCD Executive Board for the 2022–2026 term is composed as follows:
📌 Institutional updates
•Updated in July 2024, following the ICCD Congress held in Belgrade, Serbia
•Second update in July 2025, following the retirement of the Financial Director Holger Mende
President
Phillip K. Gardner (England)
Email: phillip.gardner@hotmail.com
Vice President
Dragan Moldovanović (Serbia)
Board Member
Mónica Kobylinska (Poland)
General Secretary / Treasurer
Ilan Dwek (England)
Email: iccd.gensecretary@gmail.com
Following the retirement of the Financial Director in July 2025, financial responsibilities are integrated within the General Secretariat, in accordance with ICCD Statutes.
Continental Representation
The ICCD governance structure includes Continental Representatives, who act as a liaison between the ICCD and national federations in their respective regions, facilitating communication, coordination and balanced global development of Deaf chess:
•Europe: Eglė Marcinkevičienė (Lithuania)
•Asia: Natalya Gorokhova (Kazakhstan)
•Americas: Emilio Murillo Fernández (Costa Rica)
•Africa: Hassan Daudi Hassan (Kenya)
Governance Principles and International Alignment
All ICCD officials act in accordance with the principles of fair play, equality of opportunity, accessibility, non-discrimination and transparency. ICCD competitions are conducted in full alignment with the Laws of Chess and technical regulations of the FIDE, ensuring international sporting standards and recognition.
At the same time, the ICCD cooperates institutionally with the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), integrating Deaf chess within the wider international Deaf sports movement.
Through this governance framework, the ICCD ensures that Deaf chess is organized and developed within a stable, inclusive and internationally recognized structure, combining democratic governance with sporting excellence.