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Greetings to the ChessBase.com readers and the global chess community from Anatoly Karpov and the Karpov2010 team members and staff. We also extend salutations to FIDE president Kirsan Nikolayevich Ilyumzhinov and his team. We wish them all good health and success in their future endeavors. Gens Una Sumus.
12th World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov and his team began their campaign for the presidency of FIDE because the chess world is in crisis. In six months of campaigning across the globe, we have met and spoken with hundreds of federation officials, players, organizers, sponsors, and fans. Their passion for the game of chess gives us hope that our sport can have a bright future. But the stories they share about the sad state of FIDE today convince us that this future will never happen unless there is an immediate change in leadership and sweeping improvements in how FIDE operates.
Anatoly Karpov has dedicated his life to chess. The former World Champion’s qualifications to represent and to lead the international chess community with honor are indisputable. His experience and reputation make him the ideal ambassador to both the public and private spheres. Just during this campaign he has been received by prime ministers and presidents, CEOs and schools, as well as thousands of chess-lovers for whom Karpov is a living legend. Karpov knows every aspect of the chess environment, from the world championship to his dozens of school programs around the world. His experience as a UNICEF ambassador has expanded his resources and his knowledge of how to get things done in the real world.
Most importantly, Karpov knows how to assemble a winning team. He understands that being a great chessplayer does not mean he can run FIDE by himself. Professional managers are required to run a professional sport. The political patronage model has been a disaster. Karpov has been able to unite the past – his old rival Garry Kasparov is working with the campaign – and the future – world #1 Magnus Carlsen is an enthusiastic supporter. His campaign has attracted major corporate sponsors and a remarkable advisory board. As president of FIDE, Karpov will turn chess into a 21st century sport.
The outstanding quality of our ticket speaks for itself.
Why not Ilyumzhinov? We are enthusiastic about our positive message of change. But negatives are unavoidable when challenging a 15-year incumbent with such a poor record. For chess to thrive, a major transformation is required and the Ilyumzhinov administration has shown no interest or ability in making the needed changes. Scholastic chess, internet activities and expansion, growth in the developing world, corporate sponsorship, major events in global capitals, mainstream popularity and branding, media outreach… FIDE has declined or been stagnant in every one of these key areas under Ilyumzhinov. Instead we have yet more promises. His experiments have failed and whatever resources he brought with him have evaporated.
There is no time to waste. Of the many difficulties facing FIDE and the federations today, perhaps the most alarming is the deal Ilyumzhinov and his allies have made with the mysterious company CNC. This deal will hand to CNC every commercial right imaginable, leaving FIDE with no way to generate sponsorship and brand revenue the way other professional sports associations do. Is there a conflict of interest? Does Ilyumzhinov or anyone on his team hold shares in CNC? This lack of transparency is fatal to proper commercial development. Without more information, it looks like FIDE and the federations are being robbed again, just as with Ilyumzhinov’s previous expensive failures, FIDE Commerce and Global Chess.
Ilyumzhinov’s personal reputation has become a serious liability, one that cannot be repaired. From cancelled events to a "toilet match", from aliens to a murder case – and now his latest fantasy about building a chess center near Ground Zero in New York, the public humiliations for chess continue. Just as he did when he took office in Kalmykia, Ilyumzhinov entered the chess world with big promises of money and modernization. His rule in Kalmykia is now over and FIDE must follow the same path. After 15 years it is time to thank him for his efforts and start afresh.
This campaign for the FIDE presidency has illustrated many of the complaints the federations have about the current administration. Disdain for the rule of law is a trademark that was exhibited early on, when Ilyumzhinov refused to acknowledge the public vote of the Russian Chess Federation endorsing Karpov. Ilyumzhinov still insists he has Russia’s support, despite being pressured out of his Kalmykian presidency and despite the fact that the Russian Foreign Ministry is now openly supporting Karpov by having consular officials call local federation heads.
Ilyumzhinov’s inappropriate use of FIDE resources in his campaign has made our task doubly difficult. Five federations were forced to bring a lawsuit in Lausanne to verify the validity of Ilyumzhinov’s nominations and those of at least one of his ticket members. Argentina has already withdrawn its nomination of Ilyumzhinov for president.
Ilyumzhinov’s reputation for wild statements and impossible promises was validated by his claims of federation support during the campaign. In order to appear stronger than it is, his campaign has repeatedly claimed the endorsements of federations without any evidence. Several have had to be retracted after protests. Due to threats from Ilyumzhinov and his agents in FIDE, many federations have asked us not to publicize their endorsement of Karpov, an unacceptable state of affairs.
Such intimidation is rampant, and the players are often the ones to suffer. To take one very recent example, consider Ilyumzhinov’s reaction to his ally Iturri being forcibly removed as the head of the Peruvian chess federation for improper standing. Just days ago Ilyumzhinov called the Peruvian Institute of Sport and demanded that they reinstate Iturri or he would prevent the Peruvian teams – already registered and preparing to travel – from participating in the Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk! Tragically, this blatant act of extortion is not atypical of how Ilyumzhinov’s campaign has operated this year and, as documented, in previous elections.
On to Khanty-Mansiysk and Victory!
The campaign is nearly over. The delegates and Olympiad players are heading to Khanty-Mansiysk. We hope the many changes in flights and other difficulties in the organization of the Olympiad do not disrupt this cherished event or the election. Unfortunately, we have already received news that some delegations have had to cancel their participation due to these complications.
We look forward to meeting everyone in Khanty-Mansiysk. We hope we can count on a smooth and honest election process despite the concerns raised by the above-mentioned conflicts. The chess world deserves a fair election to select its leadership. The federations deserve a chance to take back control of FIDE. We thank you for your attention and we hope you will join Anatoly Karpov in transforming FIDE into an organization worthy of our great game.
Contact Richard Conn Jr. to join the winning team!
