Casto (Toti) Abundo

The FIDE Qualification Commission mourns the passing of Casto Abundo, a member of our Commission. Casto (or Toti as everyone called him) passed away at the age of 75. Despite his ill health in recent years, he was a hard working member of the Commission, having attended our Commission meeting just a few days ago. He had a particular interest in direct titles for players with disabilities, and it was his suggestion that DIS events at the continental level should also earn direct titles. The first of these events, the Asian Continental Championship for Players with Disabilities, began a few days before the sad news was announced, and is a fitting memorial to his endeavours in this area.

Toti has been a long serving FIDE Official, serving as General Secretary from 1988 to 1990, as well as FIDE Executive Director from 1994 to 1998. He served as Chief Arbiter for the 2000 World Championship Match and was the Executive Director of the Asian Chess Federation at the time of his passing.

He will be missed by the members of the FIDE Qualification Commission and the wider chess community.