Greetings to the ChessBase.com readers and the global chess community from
Anatoly Karpov and the Karpov2010 team members and staff. We also extend salutations
to FIDE president Kirsan Nikolayevich Ilyumzhinov and his team. We wish them
all good health and success in their future endeavors. Gens Una Sumus.
12th World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov and his team began their campaign
for the presidency of FIDE because the chess world is in crisis. In six months
of campaigning across the globe, we have met and spoken with hundreds of federation
officials, players, organizers, sponsors, and fans. Their passion for the game
of chess gives us hope that our sport can have a bright future. But the stories
they share about the sad state of FIDE today convince us that this future will
never happen unless there is an immediate change in leadership and sweeping
improvements in how FIDE operates.
Why Karpov?
Anatoly Karpov has dedicated his life to chess. The former
World Champion’s qualifications to represent and to lead the international
chess community with honor are indisputable. His experience and reputation make
him the ideal ambassador to both the public and private spheres. Just during
this campaign he has been received by prime ministers and presidents, CEOs and
schools, as well as thousands of chess-lovers for whom Karpov is a living legend.
Karpov knows every aspect of the chess environment, from the world championship
to his dozens of school programs around the world. His experience as a UNICEF
ambassador has expanded his resources and his knowledge of how to get things
done in the real world.
Most importantly, Karpov knows how to assemble a winning team.
He understands that being a great chessplayer does not mean he can run FIDE
by himself. Professional managers are required to run a professional sport.
The political patronage model has been a disaster. Karpov has been able to unite
the past – his old rival Garry Kasparov is working with the campaign –
and the future – world #1 Magnus Carlsen is an enthusiastic supporter.
His campaign has attracted major corporate sponsors and a remarkable advisory
board. As president of FIDE, Karpov will turn chess into a 21st century
sport.
The outstanding quality of our ticket speaks for itself.
- Richard A Conn Jr., Deputy President, USA. A veteran attorney
with immense global experience and a wealth of contacts, Richard also speaks
Russian and Spanish and is a chessplayer himself. He has traveled tens of
thousands of miles during the campaign, making multiple tours of Latin America
and Asia. Everyone we have met with has been impressed by his knowledge of
the issues and his no-nonsense professionalism.
- Viktor Kapustin, Treasurer, Ukraine. It is hard to imagine
a more perfect Treasurer than someone with his combination of experience in
finance, banking, and a passion for chess. The president of the Ukrainian
federation and one of the most esteemed names in finance in the entire region,
Viktor has helped design our ambitious plans for an economic transformation
of FIDE and the federations.
- Adb Hamid Majid, General Secretary, Malaysia. A true unifier,
sometimes it seems like Hamid knows everybody – and that everyone likes
and respects Hamid. He is a long-time organizer and official who has been
active in Asian chess for decades. He was even an official at the Karpov-Timman
candidates match in 1990!
- Aguinaldo Jaime, Vice-President, Angola. Dr. Jaime brings
a formidable combination of experience and reputation throughout Africa in
chess and finance. He is a deputy to the Prime Minister of Angola and his
tenure as the federation president there has seen fantastic progress.
- Alisa Maric, Vice-President, Serbia. One of the most accomplished
female players of the past 30 years, the IM and WGM also has organizing and
fundraising experience. Her doctorate in marketing – she is a university
professor in this discipline – will be very valuable in transforming
FIDE.
A summary of the main elements of Karpov2010’s ambitious agenda
- Turn FIDE into a professional and responsive organization that serves
and supports the national federations. A successful FIDE means successful
federations, period.
- Place experienced professionals in positions to develop our programs.
- Eliminate all fees paid by the federations to FIDE and replace that revenue
with commercial sponsorship.
- Enforce the fiscal transparency and ethical standards required to attract
and maintain that sponsorship.
- Maintain "one federation one vote" and create regional alliances
for more effective cooperation between federations.
- Launch a four-million-dollar global chess development and promotion
program to ensure the next generation of players, coaches, arbiters,
organizers, and officials. The money is there and it is real commercial sponsorship.
The initial emphasis will be on the small and developing federations where
the potential for growth – and the need for assistance – is greatest.
An important aspect of this program will be instructing and aiding in the
development of commercial relationships, media promotion, and the other skills
required to develop sponsorship.
- Use the internet to unite the federations and the entire chess community.
Many federations have little or no internet presence. Almost none are significantly
connected with others. FIDE must provide this as a standard service. Greater
connectivity for federations and individuals in the chess community under
the FIDE banner can provide many valuable services. It will also unite the
chessplaying demographic and bond the chess brand FIDE can use to generate
revenue.
- Restore and defend the great chess traditions – while modernizing
the sport. The world chess championship is a legendary institution.
It should be promoted and protected, as should the game itself. Players must
have the opportunity to create and the world champion must have the credibility
that can only come from a rigorous cycle. At the same time, new opportunities
such as professional online events and making chess an Olympic sport must
be pursued.
Why not Ilyumzhinov? We are enthusiastic about our positive
message of change. But negatives are unavoidable when challenging a 15-year
incumbent with such a poor record. For chess to thrive, a major transformation
is required and the Ilyumzhinov administration has shown no interest or ability
in making the needed changes. Scholastic chess, internet activities and expansion,
growth in the developing world, corporate sponsorship, major events in global
capitals, mainstream popularity and branding, media outreach… FIDE has
declined or been stagnant in every one of these key areas under Ilyumzhinov.
Instead we have yet more promises. His experiments have failed and whatever
resources he brought with him have evaporated.
There is no time to waste. Of the many difficulties facing
FIDE and the federations today, perhaps the most alarming is the deal Ilyumzhinov
and his allies have made with the mysterious company CNC. This deal will hand
to CNC every commercial right imaginable, leaving FIDE with no way to generate
sponsorship and brand revenue the way other professional sports associations
do. Is there a conflict of interest? Does Ilyumzhinov or anyone on his team
hold shares in CNC? This lack of transparency is fatal to proper commercial
development. Without more information, it looks like FIDE and the federations
are being robbed again, just as with Ilyumzhinov’s previous expensive
failures, FIDE Commerce and Global Chess.
Ilyumzhinov’s personal reputation has become a serious liability,
one that cannot be repaired. From cancelled events to a "toilet
match", from aliens to a murder case – and now his latest fantasy
about building a chess center near Ground Zero in New York, the public humiliations
for chess continue. Just as he did when he took office in Kalmykia, Ilyumzhinov
entered the chess world with big promises of money and modernization. His rule
in Kalmykia is now over and FIDE must follow the same path. After 15 years it
is time to thank him for his efforts and start afresh.
What the campaign has shown about the current administration
This campaign for the FIDE presidency has illustrated many of the complaints
the federations have about the current administration. Disdain for the
rule of law is a trademark that was exhibited early on, when Ilyumzhinov
refused to acknowledge the public vote of the Russian Chess Federation endorsing
Karpov. Ilyumzhinov still insists he has Russia’s support, despite being
pressured out of his Kalmykian presidency and despite the fact that the Russian
Foreign Ministry is now openly supporting Karpov by having consular officials
call local federation heads.
Ilyumzhinov’s inappropriate use of FIDE resources in
his campaign has made our task doubly difficult. Five federations were forced
to bring a lawsuit in Lausanne to verify the validity of Ilyumzhinov’s
nominations and those of at least one of his ticket members. Argentina has already
withdrawn its nomination of Ilyumzhinov for president.
Ilyumzhinov’s reputation for wild statements and impossible promises
was validated by his claims of federation support during the campaign. In order
to appear stronger than it is, his campaign has repeatedly claimed the
endorsements of federations without any evidence. Several have had
to be retracted after protests. Due to threats from Ilyumzhinov and his agents
in FIDE, many federations have asked us not to publicize their endorsement of
Karpov, an unacceptable state of affairs.
Such intimidation is rampant, and the players are often the ones to suffer.
To take one very recent example, consider Ilyumzhinov’s reaction to his
ally Iturri being forcibly removed as the head of the Peruvian chess federation
for improper standing. Just days ago Ilyumzhinov called the Peruvian Institute
of Sport and demanded that they reinstate Iturri or he would prevent the Peruvian
teams – already registered and preparing to travel – from participating
in the Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk! Tragically, this blatant act
of extortion is not atypical of how Ilyumzhinov’s campaign has
operated this year and, as documented, in previous elections.
On to Khanty-Mansiysk and Victory!
The campaign is nearly over. The delegates and Olympiad players are heading
to Khanty-Mansiysk. We hope the many changes in flights and other difficulties
in the organization of the Olympiad do not disrupt this cherished event or the
election. Unfortunately, we have already received news that some delegations
have had to cancel their participation due to these complications.
We look forward to meeting everyone in Khanty-Mansiysk. We hope we can count
on a smooth and honest election process despite the concerns raised by the above-mentioned
conflicts. The chess world deserves a fair election to select its leadership.
The federations deserve a chance to take back control of FIDE. We thank
you for your attention and we hope you will join Anatoly Karpov in transforming
FIDE into an organization worthy of our great game.
www.karpov2010.org
Contact
Richard Conn Jr. to join the winning team!
