"Now there are good conditions not only for elite grandmasters: you can play chess and feed the family. At the same time during Ilyumzhinov’s presidency, the average skill of chess players has grown remarkably. As for the rapid chess, any format is interesting in its own way if you play chess well. But personally I like to play five-minute games in the old manner, I always liked the blitz," Gaprindashvili said.
30.10.2017
Nona Gaprindashvili: "It’s a pity that Ilyumzhinov was not a chess leader in my day "
The 5th World Champion Nona Gaprindashvili answered the question of St. Petersburg website "City 812" of her attitude towards rapid chess that is in fashion now with assistance of FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.
"I regret very much that Kirsan Nikolayevich was not a chess leader when I was actively playing. FIDE is now doing everything possible to conduct many tournaments with worthy conditions and excellent prizes," she said.
