"When I was nominated for FIDE presidential elections in 1995, the main goal was to unite the chess world. I worked out a strategy for this but it was made up largely after interviews and discussions with Spassky. Incidentally, he was the first person I met after I became President. The next one was Bobby Fischer," added the head of FIDE.
According to him, Spassky is a great advocate of chess. "He always finds time to come and give a lecture or talk about chess. There is a school named after him in Kalmykia and Boris always accepts the invitation to visit it if he has such opportunity," said Ilyumzhinov.
The 10th World Chess Champion Boris Spassky is a Russian patriot and an example to follow, says the President of FIDE Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. Recall that Spassky celebrated his 80th birthday on January 30.
"Boris is very human. He is a devoted to chess patriot of Russia and a real example to follow. Spassky is an outstanding GM, who had a huge impact on the world of chess and me. I am happy to be his friend," said Ilyumzhinov.
