Croatian FM Vjekoslav Nemec released a video accusing Dutch FM Dick De Graaf of abusing FIDE title regulations. De Graaf earned his FM title at the European Chess Club Cup 2026 in October by meeting special requirements for that event rather than through the standard path of reaching 2300 Classical rating points.

The European Chess Club Cup 2026 offered an alternative route to the FM title for players who scored at least 5/7 points and maintained a rating above 2100. De Graaf, rated 2113 in Classical, satisfied both conditions with a 5/7 score. His actual performance at the tournament was 2049, falling 64 points short of his published rating.

Nemec highlighted the quality of opposition De Graaf faced, noting that three of his five wins came against a 1575-rated opponent and two unrated players. He called the accomplishment dishonorable and shameless, pointing to a similar case at the 2025 European Club Cup where teammate Rob Down achieved an FM title despite a sub-2000 performance. Nemec argues FIDE should revise its title regulations to prevent such occurrences.

De Graaf played on the last board for his team, whose other members were rated below 2000 and included two FIDE-unrated players. Nemec believes the current rules create opportunities for players to obtain titles in ways that do not reflect genuine strength at the FM level.