The FIDE war has begun

The New York Times reveals a financial deal between Kasparov and Leong
Jan 22, 2014
Report by Chessdom

Ignatius Leong, member of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov’s team for many years, made a surprise move by switching to Garry Kasparov’s camp for the upcoming 2014 FIDE elections.

The move was announced at the 84th FIDE congress in Tallinn and despite the large surprise of the switch, no light has been shed on the details or the motifs for such a major change of Leong’s position.

Now three months later, The New York Times comes with extensive publication on what might have been in the works behind the scenes.

In a story titled “Kasparov’s Moves in Run for Chess Office Raise Ethical Concerns” published last night, NY Times reveals details of a draft agreement between Leong and Kasparov, the authenticity of which was confirmed in an email to the NY Times by the Norwegian lawyer working for Kasparov on his campaign, the man who drafted it, Morten Sand. Excerpt:

Kasparov and Leong negotiated a deal in which Leong would help Kasparov’s presidential run in exchange for $500,000, according to a draft contract reviewed by The New York Times. Kasparov also agreed, after his election, to open a new federation office in Singapore, to be run by Leong, for which he would be paid an undisclosed amount.

The contract was drafted by Morten Sand, a Norwegian lawyer working for Kasparov on his campaign. He confirmed its authenticity in an email to The Times and said the draft was superseded by another contract in which “the parties had agreed that all financial support was given with the explicit purpose of chess development and programs. No money was going to individuals.” Sand emphasized this point again on Tuesday in a letter posted on Kasparov’s election website after The Times inquired about the draft contract.

Leong was to be “responsible for delivering 10 + 1 vote from his region, with the effort to deliver 15 votes (not counting China),” the draft contract said. Leong was also to “secure 5 + 1 endorsements (signed proxies)” for Mr. Kasparov’s election.

Read the full story at New York Times

In an article on Kasparov’s campaign website, Morten Sand publishes an extended statement on the case. In an update quote, the details revealed are qualified as “stolen draft contract”, while Kasparov’s camp will “release the final version […] on Friday, January 24 – a day prior to Garry Kasparov’s press conference in Wijk aan Zee on Saturday”.

Read the full statement of Morten Sand

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January 24, 2014 09:00
News Release: Statement by Garry Kasparov

STATEMENT BY GARRY KASPAROV ON BEHALF OF THE KASPAROV TEAM

History teaches us that a sustainable democracy must be founded on three elements: transparency, mutual respect and due process. These virtues are not only applicable when building nations and societies, they are also very much needed in an international sports federation like FIDE.

During the last 19 years, FIDE has suffered serious declines and setbacks because the current leadership rejects these fundamental elements as guidelines for their work. These negative developments surface every time an important chess event lacks the proper sponsorship, scheduling, media coverage, and open and transparent bidding, or suffers from sudden changes of rules and appointment of officials.

This week, a source undoubtedly allied with the current FIDE leadership attempted to tarnish the Kasparov team – and did so by anonymously circulating feverish allegations accompanying a draft contract actually stolen from the recipient. But we are united and dedicated to our mission. Seeing such dirty tricks only reconfirms to us and to the chess world the great need for positive change in FIDE.

I have dedicated my life to chess and to the promotion of chess and chess education throughout the world both as a player and now through my non-profit foundations. It is from this passion for chess, and the many benefits and opportunities it can provide to children around the world, that the entire Kasparov Team and I endeavor to lead FIDE.

We have taken it upon ourselves to challenge and improve the course of FIDE and chess around the world. There must be an end to undelivered promises, hidden agendas, and foul play with the purpose only of keeping people in power. Let it be known that the final and signed contracts between Mr. Leong and I were made public as of 24.01.14. Let it also be known that the Kasparov Team welcomes such transparency and are looking forward to seeing our opponents act in the same manner.

History also teaches us that administrations that never change their leadership, that never let fresh ideas flow in, eventually rot from the inside. After 19 years of stagnation and opaque dealings, we are ready to open the windows and the gates to the federations and the chess community. The Kasparov Team offers unprecedented transparency, professional respect, and due process at all levels of FIDE. We reach out our collective hand of experience, hard work and professionalism in return for your trust, and together we shall start a new and promising era for FIDE and chess.

GENS UNA SUMUS
Garry Kasparov
On behalf of the Kasparov Team
Amsterdam, 24 January 2014

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January 24, 2014 11:03
News Release: Contracts and Comments

This is an historic day, as for the first time in 20 years of FIDE elections a campaign team is following the principle of transparency by making public two contracts: The first, between Garry Kasparov and Ignatius Leong, and the second, between the Kasparov Chess Foundation and the Kasparov Chess Foundation Asia-Pacific.

The first contract, signed on the 5th of September, 2013, deviates on at least one significant point from the draft that was stolen and published. The funds described in paragraph 3.1 as $500K is in the end incorporated into paragraph 4.1. All this money is to be spent for chess programs in the Asia-Pacific region.

In order to regulate the proper expenditure of funds, a separate agreement between KCF and KCF-AP was signed on the 31st of October. This contract describes the terms of expenditure and accountability of the funds.

Paragraph 2 of the aforementioned agreement specifically prohibits money being paid out to individuals outside of the scope of the agreement itself.

IA, IO Morten Sand, Attorney at Law
24 January, 2014

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Susan Polgar: As I have done in the past 9 years since this site was created, I do not take sides, and I will publish information sent to me by all parties. I want to be fair to everyone. It is up to you to decide these matters.