Title Application Question

[copper yoke]

Hello, I have applied multiple times for my National Master title on Lichess. The issue is that Lichess keeps asking me to contact my federation because there is no website listed in the FIDE directory where they can verify my title.

I have already contacted my federation, but I haven’t received a response for months. I’m not sure what else to do at this point. If possible, is there any exception process—for example, if I am a recognized National Master in my country? and I have like the documents like certificate and those kind of stuff

[mighty wolf]

A public location is necessary to confirm that anyone can verify your national master status
if those responsible for verification cannot validate it, it's your word without proof.

[copper yoke]

Theres like a popular website where we use and find the local ratings and title all of those stuff, the only problem is that my federation didnt put it to the FIDE directory site, so lichess doesnt really considered the website

If there is any exemption process to verify my title, such as searching my name on Google or ChatGPT where I am listed as a National Master, I would appreciate knowing whether Lichess can accept that, as I am unsure how else to proceed or if the only option is for my federation to add a website to the FIDE directory.

[mighty wolf]

It needs to be an official website since technically anyone can create a website and insert any data.

[copper yoke]

It is an official website that my federation uses. They also have an official Facebook page where they post certificates, tournaments, and ratings, but it is not listed in the FIDE directory, so Lichess does not recognize it as official.

[static hill]

Hello.
The only way we can confirm that you have a title is by looking up a record on your federation's website. If there is no website available, we won't be able to verify your title.
As Serginho explained above, anyone can create a website and add any title. People also photoshop certificates. So unfortunately, we have to require a title to be listed on the federation's website.

[copper yoke]

My federation has a Facebook page that is widely used, where they post records, recognitions, and tournament updates. They also posted about me around three years ago when I achieved the National Master title.

My federation is Philippines

[static hill]

If the website belongs to your federation, they can list it as theirs on https://directory.fide.com/list/member_federations/main
Then we would know that it is indeed your federation's website and can proceed with your title application.

[copper yoke]

The only problem is that they did not list their Facebook page in the FIDE directory, even though it is official, and I would like to know if there is another way to verify my title. I have already contacted them to have it added to the FIDE directory, but I have not received a response yet.

[static hill]

I understand. But how would we know if the link you or anyone else is sending belongs to your federation?
So I would suggest to contact your federation and ask them to add the link to facebook or whatever other website that they have there.
Then that website needs to have a list of all the NM players, for example, an excel document, some page listing all the NM players, a player profile with a title or a rating list.

[copper yoke]

I understand, but may I ask how other players from the Philippines with a National Master title were able to apply for it on Lichess? I can provide proof that they have their titles displayed, even though they are also from the Philippines. Could you please explain what process or steps they followed?

[static hill]

In the earlier days we accepted a website listed as official federation's website on the Wikipedia. This website no longer exists.
In any case, we need a link to be listed on https://directory.fide.com/list/member_federations/&b=2&c=900 in your case.

[copper yoke]

Oh, I understand. So does that mean I do not have a chance to apply for my title on Lichess until my federation adds it to the FIDE directory? I do have all the proof and certificates showing that I am a titled player, and I am even recognized on my federation’s official Facebook page, but it is not listed in the FIDE directory for some reason. Is there any alternative process, or is there no other option?

[static hill]

Correct. Your federation needs to add a link to their FIDE directory, so that we know that that website belongs to them.
This is easily done within a couple of days at most.

[copper yoke]

What if I email the contact listed in the FIDE directory of my federation and ask them to confirm my record? If they confirm that I am a titled player, would that be accepted?

[static hill]

We need a link to any website where you will be listed with your title listed on https://directory.fide.com/list/member_federations/&b=2&c=900

Ask your federation to add a link there.

I think Ivory Coast added a missing link in like 2 days or so and we were able to verify the player from that country.

[copper yoke]

Got it. I will contact them again to add a link, and hopefully I will get a response this time. Anyway, thank you for your time. That’s all for my question.

[static hill]

Cheers.

[copper yoke]

Sorry for the question again. Earlier you mentioned Wikipedia, so I wanted to ask if it is still used. On the official Chess Philippines Wikipedia page, there is a Facebook page listed as official, and on that Facebook page they posted about me when I achieved the National Master title. I am not sure if this would still count as valid verification, or if Wikipedia is no longer used and it now strictly needs to be in the FIDE directory. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Chess_Federation_of_the_Philippines