The 81st Congress of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) opened its sessions on 24 September 2010 in Khanty-Mansiysk
The most important event in the life of this international organization for these past years to take place at this Congress is FIDE Presidential elections. There are two candidatures for this post – the current FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov (FIDE President since November 1995, reelected in 2006, proposed by the Russian National Federation) and the 12th World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov who is proposed by National Chess Federations of the United States of America and France. The favorite of the campaign is Ilyumzhinov who is supported by 100 countries.
The President will be named following the results of simple majority secret vote according to the principle “one country-one vote”. 167 representatives of national chess federations-members of FIDE will take part in the Congress (the total number of chess federations affiliated to FIDE is 169).
The World Chess Federation (FIDE) is the organization that unites almost 170 national chess federations. FIDE’s aim is to popularize chess and organizer various international chess competitions. The FIDE Congress will take place in the unique building of the Chess Academy from 24 September to 3 October.
This will be an interesting election.