04.04.2018

Russian Chess Federation supports Ilyumzhinov's candidacy in FIDE Presidential elections

The Russian Chess Federation decided to support the candidacy of the current head of FIDE Kirsan Ilyumzhinov in the election of FIDE president. Thus, another Russian – the only Ilyumzhinov’s competitor, Grandmaster Garry Kasparov – will be forced to nominate himself from foreign federations. Four years ago, during the previous campaign, the support of the Russian Chess Federation helped Kirsan Ilyumzhinov defeat another world champion, an ally of Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov.

On 17 December, the absentee voting of the RCF Supervisory Board on the nomination of candidate for FIDE president took place. This post is claimed by two Russians – federation head since 1995, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and the 13th World Champion Garry Kasparov. The Supervisory Board decided to support the candidacy of Ilyumzhinov in the elections (they will be held in autumn next year) by a majority vote.

This news should be very reassuring for the latter. Four years ago, there was a similar situation. Then the RCF also had a choice of which of the two Russians to support in the presidential election – Kirsan Ilyumzhinov or the 12th World Champion Anatoly Karpov. The latter was supported by Garry Kasparov on the previous election (it was assumed that he will take the post of vice-president). The federation, which for some time could not come to a decision, decided to nominate Ilyumzhinov, and he eventually won the vote with a fairly solid margin.
Head of the Supervisory Board of the Russian Chess Federation Arkady Dvorkovich specified that the decision to support Ilyumzhinov is related to "the need to maintain continuity in the activities of FIDE, and is also due to the expansion of RCF influence in its activities." Additionally, as noted by Arkady Dvorkovich, it "is an endorsement of the fact that FIDE held practically all major competitions in Russia with the support of the Russian Chess Federation."
Over the past four years, Russia has regained the title of the main country in the chess world according to the number of top competitions being held. Classical super tournaments and other competitions of the highest level are constantly held here – such as the World Chess Olympiad, World Cup, Candidates Tournament and the match for the world title.

18.12.2013