Gerhard Binder was the ICCF Ratings Commissioner for a quarter of a century, from 1994 to 2019; he earned the IM title in 1991 and the SIM title in 1999 and he played in the 38th European Championship final starting in 1996.  Gerhard's service honours include the Bertl von Massow medal in silver (2003), the Bertl von Massow medal in gold (2003), and honorary membership of ICCF (2016).

As a member of the ICCF Services Committee, I worked closely with Gerhard for the last ten of the years he served as ICCF Ratings Commissioner, and I can honestly say that I found him to be the most inspiring official I have encountered in my years in ICCF.  Gerhard took a pragmatic and calculated approach to his work as Ratings Commissioner, he is always measured and polite, always soft spoken and he has an incisive and logical mind.  Gerhard sees solutions where others see problems, and he has a way of explaining complicated ideas in a way that people can understand.  Gerhard does not need to say a lot, because when he speaks others listen.

Whenever a technical issue is discussed in the Services Committee, particularly (but not exclusively) about ratings, which Gerhard and I disagree on, I am almost always the one to eventually change my mind.  I was delighted that Gerhard agreed to remain a member of the Services Committee after his retirement as Ratings Commissioner as his contribution to this aspect of ICCF will probably never be matched by anyone else in the organisation.

A few years ago, I was invited by Gerhard, along with other ICCF officials, to visit his hometown of Filderstadt for a meeting of the ICCF Services Committee; an event which was organised by Gerhard (and of course his wife Elisabeth!) with their characteristic welcoming efficiency.

Gerhard Binder is an unassuming man; he did not ask to be nominated for the ICCF Hall of Fame (in fact at the time of writing, he doesn't know about it... I hope I will not embarrass him!), and I don't believe he ever asked to be nominated for any of the other many awards he has been received.  I nominated him for this honour because I believe him to be the epitome of an ICCF volunteer, he has the perfect balance of loyalty, dedication, intelligence, and character which is rarely seen in ICCF.  I am immensely proud to have worked with Gerhard and try (usually unsuccessfully) to model my own approach to ICCF work on his.  Gerhard fully deserves a long and restful retirement from his ratings work, but long may his contributions to ICCF continue in the form of the Services Committee and Arbitration Committee membership.  In my view there is no better candidate for the ICCF Hall of Fame.

But what I have written above is about Gerhard Binder the ICCF Official... I asked one of his close friends in ICCF, Ulrich Baumgartner, to paint a picture of Gerhard Binder the man.  I also asked Gerhard’s successor as ICCF Ratings Commissioner, Uwe Staroske, to add a few notes.

Austin Lockwood, ICCF Services Director

I met Gerhard in 2006 (ICCF Congress Dresden) for the first time. Then we met regularly in private. Alternately in Germany and Switzerland, and of course at the congresses.

It was helpful that our women got along well immediately. Gerhard is a person who can listen to his counterpart. A little anecdote: at the congress in Benalmadena we also have over private matters spoken. For example, about our pets. A few weeks later, Gerhard and his wife were visiting us in Switzerland. Gerhard had the favourite food for our cat with him.

Ulrich Baumgartner, ICCF National Delegate for Switzerland and personal friend of Gerhard

My first encounter with Gerhard was by mail - Gerhard was ICCF Ratings Commissioner, my rating not yet published, and I ask for my provisional rating. Gerhard always sent my letters with the calculation of my actual rating.

Later I met Gerhard personally at an ICCF Congress. On our way back home, we waited at the airport for our plane. Gerhard took out a pocket chessboard and asked me for a game. At that time, I played the Scandinavian inspired by Matthias Wahl - when we finished several games, Gerhard asked, if I intended to bring Matthias Wahls to trial.

Much time later I have the great honour to be the successor of Gerhard as Ratings Commissioner. A tremendous amount of work that has been accomplished by Gerhard always very quickly! I am much impressed by the very knowledgeable way in which Gerhard used to prepare innovations and changes of the ratings system. Every proposal was thoroughly prepared and elaborate. - and if I remember correctly no proposal of Gerhard has ever been rejected by the Congress. When Gerhard explained his thoughts in the sessions, this was one of the rare occasions on which all Congress members listened very carefully.

I do hope, that ICCF is going to continue to enjoy Gerhard's esteemed advice.

Uwe Staroske, Current ICCF Ratings and Qualifications Commissioner