The following letter from FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov was just sent to me:
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Moscow
Russian Federation
Dear Presidents, Delegates and Federation members,
In certain media, it was reported that the Russian Chess Federation supposedly “took a decision” to nominate Anatoly Karpov as its representative for FIDE President. Unfortunately, a “decision” shrouded in clear deceit and typical of the misrepresentations which we have become accustomed to the last few weeks, from the troika of Karpov, Bakh and Kasparov.
A meeting was originally for 5.00 p.m. in Mr. Dvorkovich’s office, and it was suddenly changed by Mr. Bakh notifying some of the delegates that they should meet at 4.30 p.m. at the premises of the Russian Chess Federation. The Chairman of the Russian Chess Federation was not notified at all. A grave insult to the office of the Chairman and the Russian Chess Federation. This clearly violates the statutes which determine that all meetings are to be presided over by the Chairman.
A rough show of hands was called for and an immediate statement released on this basis. These tactics are reminiscent of the behavior which Karpov and his team, were so content to exploit, during Soviet times. From my side, I had preferred to leave the delegates in a neutral position, but such behavior not only infringes any sense of ethics, but makes this decision completely illegal and contestable, apart from any other actions that are reserved against persons who knowingly misled the delegates into taking such action.
Let me make it crystal clear, dear delegates, I will run for FIDE President once again and I am confident that the delegates will once again put their trust in our team.
I have the clear support of the majority of FIDE’s member Federations who have been waiting patiently in the background, for the Russian Chess Federation to proceed with its nomination. Today’s decision makes a mockery of Karpov and his team, who believe they are capable of running a future FIDE. His campaign so far has been based on misrepresentation and false accusations.
Our mission grows stronger to protect the unity, transparency and democracy that has been created within FIDE these last fifteen years.
Gens una sumus.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
FIDE President
It’s sad to see the same dirty political tactic by the USCF. Karpov needs to dump those crooks and re-start with a new team.
I do notice that Kirsan was not making the same ‘official’ statements when it was being claimed that the RCF was supporting him.
No wonder chess is such a basket case.
I’m a big Karpov fan but I’m very disappointed in the dirty tactics by Karpov and the USCF.
‘unity, transparency and democracy’: as someone from the West who has spent some years living under his regime in Kalmykia I can confirm that Ilyumzhinov has redefined these words.
This blog is not the place to accuse the USCF of dirty politics. Besides, this item is not about the USCF.
Ilyumzhinov signs himself ‘President of FIDE’ which he is, but he should only sign himself as ‘Candidate for President’ in this letter as it is about his candidature.
The poster who notes that Ilymzhinov did not complain when an inquorate meeting voted for him … is totally on the money.
The whole thing is a mess. Kirsan has hardly brought chess into the 21st century. Some of the best players still don’t bother playing in Fide qualifying events…and we’ve had a few “funny looking” “World Champions” that are nothing short of ridiculous. Maybe we should just burn the house down and start again. Seems to me that a lot of Chess Federations are quite inept in handling their cherished game. Fide, USCF, CFC,RCF..it goes on and on….
Our plan is coming to a conclusion!
Activate the Hamsters!
Code Words: Blackout Yoghurt Lovers Murder Robert Hobo
If the meeting was scheduled for Dvorkovich’s office like KI says, maybe he would like to explain this agenda posted on the RCF website on May 5th:
http://russiachess.org/content/view/4690/
Susan, do you support Ilyumzhinov or Karpov in this election?