FIDE Election for President

[Sasha Starr]

Re: Who is scared of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov?

Here is a recent statement by Ignatius Leong (I know him personally and played several blitz games with him).

Wednesday, 16 April 2014

STATEMENT BY IGNATIUS LEONG

FIDE General Secretary Ignatius Leong, has issued the following statement in his personal capacity in response to the article in "The Sunday Times" (26 January 2014 edition) titled "Singaporean 'not paid' to help Kasparov's bid to be world chess chief" :

(1) I entered into the Garry Kasparov-Ignatius Leong agreement ("the Agreement") in good faith to develop chess and chess programs specifically aimed at children in East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific region.

(2) under the Agreement, the Kasparov Chess Foundation ("KCF") would provide a substantial grant in a few tranches to the Kasparov Chess Foundation Asia Pacific ("KCFAP") which is a non-profit entity. The grant was intended to support KCFAP's mission of promoting and encouraging the study and play of chess in East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific region as a means of intellectual development. ("the Project") It was expressly stipulated by KCF, and agreed to by KCFAP, that the grant was to be used only for the Project which would include only exclusively charitable or educational activities.

(3) the ASEAN Chess Academy Pte Ltd ("ACA"), a company which I am a sole director and shareholder of, was established under the auspices of the ASEAN Chess Confederation for the purpose of promoting chess education in the ASEAN region. The Agreement stipulated that all and any funds allocated by KCFAP to ACA was, in turn, to be allocated and disbursed by ACA for chess programs and chess development in East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific region. No other purpose for such funds was contemplated or agreed to.

(4) it was separately foreshadowed in the Agreement that in the event that the new FIDE leadership establishes a new FIDE office in Singapore in or after August 2014, some staff (including myself) would need to administer and oversee all the FIDE Commissions and their work for which a stipend would be paid by FIDE.

(5) I wish to categorically and unequivocally state that allegations that Garry Kasparov and myself of agreed to corruption, bribery and/or vote buying pursuant to the Agreement are false and wholly unfounded.

Here is a sourse: http://www.fidexfiles.blogspot.com.es/?m=1 There are some exemples how KI runs his campain. With the help of the Russian Embassies around the World. Are there any contacts of Russian Embassy in Canada with CFC so far?

[Vlad Drkulec]

Re: Who is scared of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov?

4. In reality if the governors re-elect Vlad CFC president they will likely give him and the executive the power to decide the FIDE vote. If the governors won't show that much support for the executive they elect, they could be told to take those executive positions and shove them.

Everyone seems to be ignoring the eight hundred pound gorilla in the room: the NFP act. This is true even for me.

[Sasha Starr]

Re: Who is scared of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov?

Since you want to bring back 1938 -1939 let's go completely off topic here. Canada does not have much of a record for pursing war criminals.

The kid who taught me to play chess one summer went on to become a Nazi hunter and human rights defender pursing war criminals. He appeared in front of the supreme court a couple of times as far as I know. We spent a lot of time back then discussing human rights and crimes against humanity as well as that war. However, I gravitated toward chess and he picked a different path. He was really a brilliant student.

After the internet I used to google him from time to time. Unfortunately, a few years ago I read his obituary.

So suddenly our government is interested in what's happening in Ukraine? A few years back they almost lost a referendum in Quebec.

Well well... In 1985 I've had hollidays in Margharita Island, Venezuela. The last evening we've had booked a dinner in one of the hotels. When we've arrived we were told that they are overbooked and asked us if we wouldn't mind to have a table at the privately reserved large conference room. We've agreed (I was there with my wife and a daughter). So we had a table in a corner and in the middle of the room there was a table for about 40 people, who started arrive while we were at the middle of our dinner. The only unusual thing to me that I've noticed was a traditional German music on backround. Soon the table was filled up with mostly old people, and soon one of them started a speech. At first he was rather quiet, however slowly he was getting agitated, his voice was getting lauder and lauder, by this time I've realized that he spoke German, and soon, when he finally reached the end of his speech, he got up his right hand and started to shout "Hail Hitler!" We were shocked, got back to our hotel, and I told the story to one of our fellow travellers, who's happened to be a lawyer from Toronto. He was disgusted with what's happened, but has pointed out to me that this was a private party, and there was nothing that we could do. Next day we all flew back to Toronto and guess what: a lot of these people flew back with us on the same plane! Sure a lot of them were very old people, but a lot of them probably have children and grandchildren...

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Who is scared of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov?

Since you want to bring back 1938 -1939 let's go completely off topic here. Canada does not have much of a record for pursing war criminals.

The kid who taught me to play chess one summer went on to become a Nazi hunter and human rights defender pursing war criminals. He appeared in front of the supreme court a couple of times as far as I know. We spent a lot of time back then discussing human rights and crimes against humanity as well as that war. However, I gravitated toward chess and he picked a different path. He was really a brilliant student.

After the internet I used to google him from time to time. Unfortunately, a few years ago I read his obituary.

So suddenly our government is interested in what's happening in Ukraine? A few years back they almost lost a referendum in Quebec.

[Sasha Starr]

Re: Who is scared of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov?

I suggest nothing. I simply watch the action.

This isn't 1938 - 1939. Remember the USA did NOT see fit to enter the fray until Dec. of 1941. Canada, and my relatives joined the Canadian forces, entered before that and fought in Europe. I think your comparison is flawed and it has nothing to do with chess.

Where were you in the 1940's?

My late father fought for the USSR where he lived and finished the war in Berlin in 1945, before I was born. My wife's uncles were killed in Riga, Latvia, in 1941. I've served 2 years in the Soviet Armed Forces, so I know something about war.

My comparison applies to the fact that if Allies were united back in the thirties then Germany could have stopped in 1938 at much lower costs in human lives.

About chess. KI is incapable to introduce a real corporate Western sponsorship to chess: once anybody considering a serious sponsorship will do the due dilligence will see who is KI. Even if KI and/or his associates will not be under sunctions, any serious sponsor will decline all sponsorship opportunities. Completely different story with Kasparov, well known public figure, contributor to the WSJ, among other things, media friendly, with an understanding and experience to organize World class events and bring to chess first rate sponsors. Plus he runs a well known KCF (Kasparov Chess Foundation).

Finally, could you tell me what benefits has Canada had in the last 20 years?

[Garland Best]

Re: Who is scared of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov?

Thank you Michael for the link. I examined this and neighbouring Governor's letters, and while there is not much recorded in terms of detailed debate, it appears that in 2010 there was some arguement about the powers then as well.

I found this passage of interest. See http://www.chess.ca/sites/default/fi...v_online_1.pdf

"Little debate – it was noted that the position requires a fair time and effort commitment. Also a question arose about our FIDE rep voting in the upcoming FIDE Presidential election ( expected to be between Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, incumbent, and Anatoly Karpov ( former World Champion ) ). In the 2006 FIDE Presidential election , the vote by Canada was an executive decision. In the past the Governors at the AGM have voted to give the FIDE Rep. specific instructions.
As far as FIDE is concerned though, the FIDE Rep is the Zonal President and doesn't necessarily have to answer to anyone lower except at election time".

This would support the position that the CFC should make the decisions at the coming AGM, based on the input of the Governors at the AGM.

I stand corrected.

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Who is scared of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov?

Would you suggest that the Russia will remain unopposed? Like Germany in 1938-1939?

I suggest nothing. I simply watch the action.

This isn't 1938 - 1939. Remember the USA did NOT see fit to enter the fray until Dec. of 1941. Canada, and my relatives joined the Canadian forces, entered before that and fought in Europe. I think your comparison is flawed and it has nothing to do with chess.

Where were you in the 1940's?

[Sasha Starr]

Re: Who is scared of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov?

If there is enough pressure, YES. Let's not forget the USA has already used nuclear weapons against Japan.

Would you suggest that the Russia will remain unopposed? Like Germany in 1938-1939?

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Who is scared of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov?

About nuclear Russia. You've heard (I assume) about MAD (Mutual Assured Destruction). Do you think that Ruaains billionairs will ever start nuclear war?

If there is enough pressure, YES. Let's not forget the USA has already used nuclear weapons against Japan.

[Sasha Starr]

Re: Who is scared of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov?

Personally, I don't expect Kasparov to win. The CFC should not, in my opinion, endorse anyone.

Canada imposing sanctions against a nuclear power like Russia. There's a lot of future in that.

Look, at this point nobody knows who'll be elected FIDE's President.
About nuclear Russia. You've heard (I assume) about MAD (Mutual Assured Destruction). Do you think that Russain billionairs will ever start nuclear war? They have too much to lose. However they must be stopped right now. Germany was not opposed in 1938 and 1939. You know the rest of story.

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Who is scared of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov?

Now it is not USA versus Russia, but Russia against all World. And sunctions against Russia are imposed by USA, Canada and EU. Agree?
If elected is Kasparov going to take the zone status away from Canada? Where have you got this idea?

Personally, I don't expect Kasparov to win. The CFC should not, in my opinion, endorse anyone.

Canada imposing sanctions against a nuclear power like Russia. There's a lot of future in that.

[Sasha Starr]

Re: Who is scared of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov?

The USA also hoped we would join them in their embargo of Cuba and in the Vietnam war. That did not happen.

This line of discussion enforces my view the CFC should do what is necessary to maintain our zone status. If we ever get thrown in with the USA all there will be for Canadian chess is crumbs, in my view.

The only real argument I'm seeing for endorsing Kasparov is that the USA is doing it and wants it.

Now it is not USA versus Russia, but Russia against all World. And sunctions against Russia are imposed by USA, Canada and EU. Agree?
If elected is Kasparov going to take the zone status away from Canada? Where have you got this idea?

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Who is scared of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov?

3.As I understand USA is endorsing Kasparov and natually hoped for Canadian support as well. That has not happened. There were no attemts to my knowledge to generate Governor's imput one way or the other.

The USA also hoped we would join them in their embargo of Cuba and in the Vietnam war. That did not happen.

This line of discussion enforces my view the CFC should do what is necessary to maintain our zone status. If we ever get thrown in with the USA all there will be for Canadian chess is crumbs, in my view.

The only real argument I'm seeing for endorsing Kasparov is that the USA is doing it and wants it.

[Sasha Starr]

Re: Who is scared of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov?

If you are correct that "right now he has no Power to deal with it whatsoever.", which is in your last sentence tell us why there is so much pressure here to persuade him to support Kasparov? There are even calls for an endorsement. After the CFC election what would an endorsement accomplish at that late date?

If you believe Vlad has no power to act at this time then why would anyone expect him to endorse a candidate on behalf of the CFC? Why would the U.S. chess officials be approaching him?

1.All free World (with a meaningless exception) supports Kasparov for ethical, chess, political, and perhaps other reasons. Canada is in front of the West imposed sunctions, and normally CFC, being a Canadian organization, should've supported Kasparov, the greatest chess player and a personality, against Russian supported Illumzhinov. And while the vote indeed could have been decided by the incoming Board of Governors in July, the endorsement, being important both for CFC and Kasparov's campain, had to be ideally provided 3 months before Presidential election. Obviously the ENDORSEMENT is what at stake right now, not the vote. See some of my posts.
2.At this time he and the executives could have endorse Kasparov if wanted to do so, unless overturned by the Board of Governors, alternatively they could ask the Board of Governors for approval and/or delegation of Power to endorse.
3.As I understand USA is endorsing Kasparov and natually hoped for Canadian support as well. That has not happened. There were no attemts to my knowledge to generate Governor's imput one way or the other.

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Who is scared of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov?

1.Ok, Gary, agree with you here, but even if all of them would've been Members, it is a President's position that it doesn't mean much to him at all.
2.Here is the real reason why US should not use the Russian rockets: (same telegraph.co.uk) "Russian rocket Proton carrying advanced satellite falls back to Earth minutes after take-off". The real problem with Russia is that it has completely turned away from some form of democracy (or whatever they had) to authoritarian regime threatening the rest of the World, and the West is taking a complete reevaluation of its relationship with Russia. These sunctions are just a beginning. And this will go on for long, long time...
3.First the Governors have to re-elect Vlad, and it remains to be seen. The point is, that it is incoming Board of Governors' Power what to do with CFC's vote one way or the other. Therefore President could continue all his due dilligence including Salov's problems etc., but only if he'll get re-elected AND the Assembly of Governors will delegate him the Power, he could make his decision, right now he has no Power to deal with it whatsoever.

If you are correct that "right now he has no Power to deal with it whatsoever.", which is in your last sentence tell us why there is so much pressure here to persuade him to support Kasparov? There are even calls for an endorsement. After the CFC election what would an endorsement accomplish at that late date?

If you believe Vlad has no power to act at this time then why would anyone expect him to endorse a candidate on behalf of the CFC? Why would the U.S. chess officials be approaching him?