Press release
Rijeka, March 12th
Anatoly Karpov announced his candidature for the FIDE president
Today a press conference was held during the visit of the Ex World Champion
Anatoly Karpov at the 11th European Individual Men and Women's Chess Championship
in Rijeka. The meeting was attended by grandmaster and journalist Vlado Kovacevic,
the president of the Executive Committee Damir Vrhovnik and one of the best
chess players of all times Anatoly Karpov. It is important to mention that this
conference was transmitted live through the official Championship web site.
The introduce was given by Vlado Kovacevic who explained the importance of
the arrival one of the most important chess figure in the history at this Championship
in Rijeka. Karpov was welcomed by the president of the Executive Committe Damir
Vrhovnik who pointed out that it is an exceptional honor and pleasure to host
a worldwide famous chess player whose arrival represents a great recognition
for the organizers and also for Rijeka and Croatia.
Grandmaster Karpov annonced his candidacy for the president of the World Chess
Federation and pointed out that he is ready to use his chess fame around the
world. He said that if he became the president, his first step will be the Federation'
reorganization as well as finding a major sponsors that will allow accoure more
efficient FIDE activities. Karpov considers that it is necessary to remove the
current negative FIDE image in the world, and that the main thing is to respect
our own rules.
He note that by now he founded numerous chess schools and clubs all over the
world, and than he recalled the times when he was the world's leading chess
player. On the question of how to restore the old glory of chess, Karpov said
that the national federations must highlight the big names of world chess so
they could obtain new sponsors.
"I was at Croatia 30 years ago, and the organization of this Championship
in Rijeka delighted me. The organizers provided ideal conditions for a large
number of players and so I congratulate them for the excellent organization“,
Karpov said.
