FIDE election update

Disclaimer: As a matter of fairness, I will publish articles, letters, and information from both parties when I receive them.

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has reached a winning number for the elections (updated)
16 countries from the Arab Chess Federation support Ilyumzhinov, Sheikh Butti is joining the FIDE family

A total of 167 nations are expected to vote in the coming elections for FIDE President in Khanty Mansiysk. The current FIDE President and candidate for another term, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, has achieved the support of 84 nations so far. This is overwhelming compared to the 22 countries supporting Karpov, and constitutes of more than 50% of the votes. Hungary, Indonesia, and Syria were added to the last count, and that was enough to secure a winning number of votes.

16 countries from the Arab Chess Federation support Ilyumzhinov

Mr. Ibrahim Al Bannai, the President of the Arab Chess Federation informed the media that the Arab Chess Federation, which includes 18 Arab countries, announced that 16 countries, re-nominate the current President of FIDE, H.E. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.

“We, in the Arab Chess Federation support Kirsan for re-election for many reasons, based on our experience and our confidence with him as a person. He has achieved many of the features for chess in a developing country that represent the broad base of chess enthusiasts in the world, especially in the developing countries and our Arab region.” reflected Mr. Al Bannai.

Mr. Al Bannai continued,

“1) Kirsan has given his support for the Arab Chess Federations in many occasions, as he did with many of the Chess countries around the world.

2) Many highly qualified Arabs hold high positions within the FIDE presidential board and Executive board, and FIDE committees for examples Mr. Khalifa Al Hitmi (Qatar), Mr. Nizar Elhaj (Libya), H.E Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan (UAE) and Lakhder Mazouz (Algeria). In addition, I am member of the Executive Board and there a large number of contributing Arab members in various FIDE commissions and committees.

3) President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov who nominated himself for another term, has provided great services to chess players in the world through the support of many events, as well as many other players in many countries, and helped to solve many problems of many federations in appropriate ways and even gave them his personal support as well.

4) The President has an excellent and outstanding and ambitious program, with ambitious goals that his team is certainly capable of implementing, and similar to the aspirations and the vision of Arab Chess Federation and the members from Arab countries.

5) President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov supports many of the proposals that serve the Chess world.

6) President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov is supportive of broadening the base and is keen on developing the interests of chess players, young and old.”

Mr. Al Bannai finished by stating that he believes that Kirsan and his team are able to offer more in the coming period and they would be partners in the new achievements.

Sheikh Butti is joining the FIDE family

The key moment of the FIDE President’s visit to Dubai has become his press-conference in Dubai Press Club-Media City, with the participation of the Arab Chess Federation President Ibrahim Al Bannai and H.H. Sheikh Butti Bin Suhail Al Maktoum. During the press-conference Mr. Ilyumzhinov has appreciated the progress in the chess development in the UAE as well as a large number of the official events held in this country lately. He thanked Mr. Al Bannai for his efforts in promoting chess in the Arab countries.

In this connection the FIDE President has invited Sheikh Butti to join the FIDE family and offered him a position of the FIDE CEO on Commercial Affairs. Sheikh Butti has graciously accepted the proposal for this prestigious position and expressed his gratitude.

Besides, the FIDE President also outlined the three main aspects of the FIDE activities for the next four years – Chess in Schools, preparation of trainers and arbiters and CACDEC. The UAE has hosted quite a few top chess events, among them two meetings of the FIDE Presidential Board (2001, 2006), FIDE Grand Prix (2002), Asian Youth Championships (2007) and Asian Club Cup (2008).