A big family too – one that’s grown from 60 member countries in 1970 to 158 in 2012. Its vast bawling brood of small and poor satellites has made FIDE the world’s second largest sports body after FIFA. Membership and birth rate aren’t the only FIDE circuits now wired into the developing world. Its ‘democracy’ [...]
Entries Tagged as 'Kirsan'
We Are Family
November 3rd, 2012 · No Comments · Features, FIDE, Kirsan
Tags: Campomanes·FIDE·FIFA·Kirsan
Another bold FIDE initiative
March 18th, 2012 · No Comments · Features, FIDE, Kirsan
OLAF STEFFENS After years of trying, FIDE has finally succeeded in crafting a truly abysmal public image for itself. Its Vice President became embroiled in a fist-fight during the closing ceremony of one of its showcase events; the rules for the Candidates’ matches seem to change by the week; and players are forfeited if they [...]
10 Seconds with Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
October 7th, 2011 · No Comments · Interviews, Kirsan
FIDE’s star-gazing President speaks to journalist and translator Sarah Hurst, author of Curse of Kirsan: Adventures in the Chess Underworld. Sarah Hurst: What do you consider to have been your greatest contribution to chess? Kirsan Ilyumzhinov: Alienating everyone. If you would like to quiz a chess personality, send your question to kingpinchess@yahoo.com
Kingpin 41 is here – and in colour!
June 18th, 2011 · No Comments · Current Issue, Homepage, Kirsan
‘Kingpin 41 is a must-read for everyone who doesn’t take chess too seriously; it’s especially a must-read for everyone who does take chess seriously!’ ChessVibes Read the whole review here ‘Publication of the British magazine Kingpin is always an eagerly-awaited event.’ Edward Winter, Chess Notes ‘excellent production quality and content . . . the only chess magazine [...]
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Ilyumzhinov plays chess with Gaddafi
June 12th, 2011 · No Comments · Features, FIDE, Kirsan
“The meeting [with Moamer Gaddafi] lasted around two hours, we played some chess with Gaddafi,” Ilyumzhinov, who is on a visit to Tripoli in his capacity as FIDE president, told Interfax. “Gaddafi stated that he is not going to leave Libya, stressing that it is his motherland and a land where his children and grandchildren [...]
Florencio Campomanes 1927–2010
June 27th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Kirsan
“An evil man who is not going to be missed. Thoroughly corrupt persecutor of those who wanted chess to move forward. Destroyer of our beloved World Championship. Some champagne with dinner tonight to wish him good riddance!” Eric Schiller’s moving eulogy to the former FIDE president on the day of his death. http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=40703&kpage=2#reply32
Tags: Campomanes·Eric Schiller
From the President of FIDE
February 26th, 2010 · No Comments · Features, FIDE, Kirsan
First published in Kingpin 27 (Summer 1997)
Controversy over President’s new World Championship plan
February 26th, 2010 · No Comments · Features, Kirsan
The world of chess was plunged into controversy last night after the FIDE President, Kirsan Illunatic, unveiled his plans for a new system of deciding the world championship. Instead of the traditional 24 game match between champion and challenger, the title will instead be decided by a 5 minute blindfold kriegspiel knockout tournament to be [...]
Tags: FIDE·Ilyumzhinov·Kirsan
Saddam's Friend
February 14th, 2009 · No Comments · Features, Kirsan
Sarah Hurst Up here in Alaska, we’re used to earthquakes. FIDE is not, apparently. The prospect of a democratic challenge to His Excellency Kirsan Ilyumzhinov’s reign at the Bled Olympiad proved too much for the organisation to withstand, and the election was cancelled. The tiny Russian republic of Kalmykia was more [...]
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