05.07.2016

Ilyumzhinov: "You have to play by the rules to win the game"

- Kirsan Nikolaevich, can you comment on the military political situation in Syria?

- Actually, The Western coalition, together with the Middle East Arab countries simply watched how the terrorists destroyed the state. They were about to enter Damascus to hoist the ISIL black flag.  However, there are Russian troops now, which completely changed the situation enabling the Syrian leadership to seize the initiative.

You have to play by the rules to win the game. Moreover, most importantly, the Russian leadership made everyone play by the rules of the Syrian people. Only the people themselves should determine their own fate. That is exactly what the Syrians show at the Geneva talks today.
- Two years ago, Russia has made another unexpected move - referendum in the Crime. When did you visit the peninsula for the last time?
- We held chess events in the Crimea as long ago as the Ukrainian President was Leonid Kuchma. For example, the big tournaments, in which many famous grandmasters participated, were held in Foros.
I think Crimea, as part of Russia, will receive a new impetus to the development. The former resident of Crimea, Ukrainian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin, who was born there, became a citizen of Russia. He successfully participates in international tournaments, won the World Cup in Baku. Moreover, he once again proved that he was the best at the Candidates tournament in Moscow.