President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Kirsan Ilyumzhinov hopes chess surge in popularity in the United States.
"This year in the United States will be busy in terms of chess. In March, we are waiting for the world championship among women. Then will be the match for the chess crown in men. In addition, the 2016 th year is declared by FIDE as a Year of Chess in the United States. I want to believe that chess will be able to achieve the same popularity here, as in the days of Bobby Fischer, and will become more popular than baseball, "- said Ilyumzhinov.
Recall that in late November 2015 US Treasury imposed sanctions against Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. Later FIDE presidential council approved the suspension of financial authority Ilyumzhinov in the United States, which he temporarily transferred to the 1st Vice-President Georgios Makropoulos.
