FIDE President Ilyumzhinov's State-of-the-Union

The President's report

During the last two years FIDE has significantly improved its performance in several aspects: operational costs have been greatly reduced, with a parallel enhancement of FIDE’s productivity in its day-to-day function. At the same time, income for FIDE has steadily increased. Concerning our World Championships, over US $3,500,000 have been raised as prize funds, and there is hope that a further $1,700,000 will be secured for the funding of the World Cup next year. FIDE has also obtained organizers for our Chess Olympiads up to 2008 (the city of Dresden) and several countries are preparing their bids for 2010!

Ilyumzhinov announces that he will be seeking a new term of office as FIDE President during the next FIDE General Assembly, which takes place from May 29–31 during the Olympiad in Torino next year. The President of the Republic of Kalmykia has obtained the full support of the Russian Government, which apparently has urged him to run for reelection as FIDE President. Ilyumzhinov mentions that reigning world champions, male and female, are full members of the FIDE Presidential Board. He also mentions that he is "considering certain changes in the ticket to ensure that all targets will be successfully accomplished."

The full text of the President's communication to all national federations is given below.

Spassky in Elista

Boris Spassky arrives in Elista, Kalmykia, to a traditionally warm greeting

FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and 11th World Champion Boris Spassky pose in front of a painting of Fischer and Tal (?!) in the Chess Museum, which is located in the City Chess Palace in Elista.

Dr. Boris? The President of the Republic of Kalmykia honors the former world champion.

Boris Spassky gave a simultaneous exhibition against Kalmyk children, under the watchful eye of the FIDE President, himself a former Kalmyk champion.

To: All National Chess Federations & FIDE Executive Board Members

Dear chessfriends,

I am happy to report that FIDE has successfully concluded its 76th Congress in Dresden, excellently hosted by the German Chess Federation and the Organizing Committee of the 2008 Chess Olympiad. Several major issues were on the agenda; among them the World Chess Championship, the Women’s World Championship, the forthcoming Chess Olympiads, decisions towards securing the highest standard for all FIDE events, protection of our titles and rating system’s credibility and other important subjects such as the development of chess in schools and the instructional system of trainers worldwide.

During the last two years FIDE has improved significantly its performance in several aspects: operational costs have been greatly reduced with a parallel enhancement of FIDE’s productivity in its day-to-day function. At the same time, income for FIDE has steadily increased. Concerning our World Championships, over 3,500,000 USD have been raised as prize funds and soon we hope to secure the funding of the World Cup for a further 1,700,000 USD. FIDE has also obtained organizers for our Chess Olympiads up to 2008 and several countries are preparing their bids for 2010!

I know that there are still many issues that require co-ordination and improvement. These will be addressed during the coming period. As many of you may already know, I announced in Dresden my readiness to seek a new term of office as FIDE President during the next General Assembly. As the leader of Kalmykia, a republic of the Russian Federation, I have also obtained the full support of the Russian Government before making any such decision.

We have important work to do and I see the need for all of us to further strengthen our efforts in order to achieve the highest level of professionalism for FIDE towards securing permanent corporate sponsorship. Though many steps have been made lately to improve FIDE’s effectiveness, I am determined to do my best to further develop the variety and quality of the services provided by the FIDE Secretariat in Athens and the FIDE office in Elista.

The active dialogue we have started with ACP (Association of Chess Professionals) will certainly continue and their representatives have already been included in several FIDE Committees and Commissions. Furthermore, reigning World Champions and Women’s World Champions have been approved as full members of the FIDE Presidential Board by the recent FIDE Congress in Dresden. My motivation is my optimism for the future of World Chess and to this end I’m also considering certain changes in my ticket to ensure that all of our targets will be successfully accomplished!

I take this opportunity to thank all of you for your vital contributions to worldwide chess development. However, in order to focus on the new challenges, I kindly ask all of you to be my partners in the work that lies ahead of us. I am ready to receive your various inputs and suggestions so that we can work out the best strategy for the years to come.

Gens Una Sumus!

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
FIDE President