Friday chess round about…
Friday chess round about
Friday retrospective. After a difficult week it is only too easy to lose a rational perspective on things, especially when Life throws something unpleasant at you. At such times it is wiser to keep a cool head, focus on your priorities and be reflective than it is to make big changes. After all, on Monday a whole new shit storm might be waiting for you and that is when weathered experience will serve you faithfully…
Why should anyone be surprised?
Soon after Chess.Com published earlier in the week that Kirsan Ilyumzhinov was going to run for another term as FIDE president in 2018, I realized that some of our more vocal chess pundits and colourful political commentators really have no clue of what is happening in the chess world around them. It recalled the citation ”Stupidity is repeating the same process endless times and expecting a different outcome each time.”
Kirsan has been president of FIDE for the past 22 years and has shown no signs of slowing down. The recent US-sanctions against him has given him some reason to distance himself from the day to day operation of FIDE, but has not in the slightest way prevented him from acting as FIDE president. Kirsan continues to visit new countries every week, promoting chess and giving interviews, EXACTLY as he did before the sanctions.
Just 10 days ago Kirsan announced that he was setting up a $30-million chess fund — to be divided equally in America, Africa and Asia. Does that sound like Kirsan is losing interest?!
The truth is that the like-minded Nigel Shorts and Peter Doggers of the world probably spend way too much time listening to each other’s dribble and fantasy. And not nearly enough time to really take a look and really see what is happening about them.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov is the most popular figure in the chess world today. In 2018 he is going to win any election by a landslide. That Kirsan has detractors – some of them vocal – is not only un-surprising, but it is also necessary. Kirsan can not run against himself…
Carlsen finally wins a game!
Meier,G – Carlsen,M Grenke 20.4.2017
To be continued….