Ilyumzhinov's FIDE versus Kasparov's promises

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Jul 31 2014 | 4:44 PM IST
The Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway, will also feature the FIDE elections this time wherein incumbent Kirsan Ilyumzhinov is pitted against the legendary Garry Kasparov.
Termed as the dirtiest ever, the FIDE election is drawing more attention than the Olympiad itself as the 19-year regime of Ilyumzhinov and his team comes under a threat for the first time.
A recent article in a popular chess magazine (New In Chess) is going viral on social networks. Written by former world championship challenger Nigel Short, the article strongly supports Kasparov's cause calling the present regime 'morally bankrupt'.
It also points to changes in leadership of some countries like Afghanistan because, apparently, they sided with Kasparov.
It also brought out the fact that Ilyumzhinov himself spent more than 2,00,000 Euros of FIDE money on his travel last year.
On Ilyumzhinov claiming to have spent more than 70 million of his personal money on Chess, Short writes: "A statement as implausible as it is unverifiable".
Kasparov has been crisscrossing the world last few months promoting his candidature. According to his website, he is ahead in Asia and Africa while Europe also seems to be on his side.
The picture will be clear in a few days' time but according to his website, Kasparov has a lead of 18-14 in Africa and 15-8 in Asia with remaining as undecided votes.
Ilyumzhinov has the advantages of all incumbents and his team is leaving no stones unturned. Ali Nihat Yazici, a trusted aid of current FIDE and Chess in Schools program chairman, even called the New in Chess Article "paid news" that led to a verbal war with Nigel Short on twitter.
Ilyumzhinov also claims the backing of Asia and his site claims that Kasparov will not get more than 14 votes out of 48 from the continent.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jul 31 2014 | 4:44 PM IST

Next Story