The founder of Intercity League, Tonci Radeljia, passed away two days ago; he was of Split, and taught mathematics at university. I met him in an online match in late 2005; some months later he asked me to join to Intercity League, an online international team tourney held twice a year. The teams were mostly from ex Yugoslavia countries; the first edition was won by Beograd, in spring 2004. I joined in autumn 2006 with my team, Ascoli Piceno; that edition was won by Connacht, an Irish team (there are many British teams today). During that edition, my first one, I had an argument with an opponent, don’t remember about what, maybe a missed alert, and the day after I wrote him to complain against that opponent.
You’re right, he told me later on BBO, but after he explained me that the tourney was ruled more by friendly agreements than by laws. Now, after seven years, I know that Intercity League has his rules, as any other event, but over all there is a unwritten law: be friend to your opponents. Tonci liked having strong teams in the League, of course, but his main purpose was to create a community of friends, and he succeeded in the task.
I knew he was ill since two years; a severe disease, but still there was hope. Six weeks ago he asked me to help him to conduct Intercity League; his time was ending, he said, only matter of weeks.
His heritage is a League of Friends.
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Paolo Enrico Garrisi