Well, then I called Boris Yeltyn’s senior assistant Viktor Ilyushin. He said: "You have to ask Boris Nikolayevich." Ilyushin told him about my proposal. Boris Nikolayevich said: “Okay, Russia needs this. Raise the flag.” I fulfilled the request or wish of the Russian President. Later, I presented Boris Nikolayevich a chess set. He sat down before it and said: "Well, all I know is to how to move a knight." So we agreed on a draw."
“Is chess politics?” asked one of the presenters.
“Of course,” Ilyumzhinov answered. “Everything is politics in our life. If you do not deal in politics, politics deals in you”.
Many congratulations came to fourth FIDE President. We have chosen two of them:
“Your Excellency Kirsan. Please accept our congratulations on your anniversary. On this day 25 years ago, your victory in the FIDE presidential elections in Paris not only transformed FIDE as a modern international sports organization, but also made chess a recognized intellectual sport throughout the world.”
“Dear Kirsan Nikolaevich, congratulations! You are a fantastic FIDE President. Thanks to you, chess has entered every corner of the world so all the children now have the opportunity to reach the top in our ancient game. We thank you for everything that you have done and continue to do. We wish you health, energy and new successes in everything! "
The editor’s note: We join in the congratulations! The main photo was made at FIDE Congress in Paris on November 24, 1995. Left photo is of the first Vice President of FIDE Bachar Kouatly. On the right one you can see fifth FIDE President Florencio Campomanes.