| RUSSIAN CHESS FEDERATION NOMINATES ANATOLY KARPOV FOR FIDE PRESIDENT |
| By The USCF Executive Board | |
| May 14, 2010 | |
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RUSSIAN CHESS FEDERATION NOMINATES ANATOLY KARPOV FOR FIDE PRESIDENT May 14, 2010 – Moscow The Supervisory Council of the Russian Chess Federation (RCF) met today in Moscow and nominated Anatoly Karpov to stand for FIDE president in the election that takes place in Khanty‐Mansiysk, Russia, in September. Karpov’s nomination received 17 votes from the 32‐member Council. The meeting, covered and reported by all major Russian news services, resulted in an irrefutable majority decision in a crucial battle for the FIDE presidency. Karpov’s main rival, 15‐year incumbent Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, is also Russian and the Federation can nominate only one person. Hence this effectively ends Ilyumzhinov’s bid to extend his term. This vote for change by chess powerhouse Russia will also be noted closely by other federations. Ilyumzhinov’s supporters on the Council realized they lacked the votes to overcome Karpov and attempted first to postpone the meeting and then to move it behind closed doors. Failing that, they chose to boycott the proceedings entirely, but even with a few Council members absent from Moscow and several others abstaining, a quorum was reached and the vote proceeded. Karpov received the unanimous and enthusiastic support of all attending members, providing a 17‐vote majority in full view of the media. The statements of the regional representatives made it clear there was nationwide support for Karpov’s nomination. Anatoly Karpov expressed his appreciation to the members of the Council for their courage and their support for positive change in FIDE. “It was a remarkable moment not only for me, but for Russian chess and FIDE. The open dialogue and open vote were examples of the transparency that will mark our campaign and administration. My thanks and congratulations to the Council members.” For more information see the Karpov2010.org Press Release at: http://www.karpov2010.org/ |