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Ilyumzhinov plays down Anand controversy

Raakesh Nataraj

Chennai: Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, President of the Autonomous Republic of Kalmykia of the Russian Federation, and the head of chess' international governing body FIDE since 1995, sought to allay allegations of corruption and non-transparency that have plagued his campaign for re-election while downplaying the controversy regarding the citizenship row involving World chess champion Viswanathan Anand.

Speaking to The Hindu, Ilyumzhinov agreed that the controversy was a bureaucratic gaffe more than anything else, saying “Anand is an Indian in everything he does. It is here that he came from, and he is a big role model.”

Anatoly Karpov's accusations of corruption drew a mildly amused reaction from Ilyumzhinov. “I have sunk hundreds of millions of my own dollars into the sport. How can I donate from one pocket and take it back into another?”

Also in the running for the Presidency is chess great Anatoly Karpov, who is supported by Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen, currently No. 1 on the FIDE rating list.

This lining up of players against the president is seen by many as a contest that could split the chess world again, the way Kasparov's rebels broke away from FIDE in 1993 to form the Professional Chess Association (PCA).

“I have the utmost respect for Karpov and Kasparov as players, but not as administrators.” said Ilyumzhinov.

“I don't think there will be a problem. I have spoken to them (Kasparov and Karpov) and assured them that even after the elections I will continue to support them with funds to travel, promote chess and spread the game to children everywhere.

“I spoke to Magnus (Carlsen) and his dad recently in Norway. It (the split) will not happen” he assured.

The chess world is also beset by an increasing paucity of funds, something that Ilyumzhinov hopes will be sorted soon.

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