Karpov in hopeless position
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
The Russian Chess Federation was invaded by both Karpov and Kasparov in May and then a mock meeting was held where only burning an effigy of Ilyumzhinov was missing. Then the Court of Arbitration in Lausaunce was used as a political football in yet one more calculated attempt to attract media attention. Later this month–in about 2 weeks time–this court will hand down its decision. It will be yet one more black day for Karpov and his campaign team.
Rumours of a sweeping and unprecedented victory are beginning to appear on the ‘net. More than 120 countries have allegedly backed the incumbent president’s re-election efforts. Last week news of India’s backing of Kirsan made front pages on many blogs. And just yesterday the powerful Chinese chess federation threw its considerable weight behind Ilyumzhinov.
The reality of the situation can not be more clear. With Karpov refusing to throw in the towel, the undecided chess federations will no doubt back the winner.
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
It is September already! The FIDE Olympiad is to begin in a matter of weeks, and with it the FIDE Congress which will over see the election of the FIDE president and his board. It has been–for the spectator– a roller-coaster ride of an election campaign, principally because of the total lack of sophistication of the challenger’s platform and team. One scandal after another, character smearing, cheap, anonymous articles attacking anyone in their path, and so on. There is virtually no good faith left out there in the international chess community for Karpov’s campaign.
The Russian Chess Federation was invaded by both Karpov and Kasparov in May and then a mock meeting was held where only burning an effigy of Ilyumzhinov was missing. Then the Court of Arbitration in Lausaunce was used as a political football in yet one more calculated attempt to attract media attention. Later this month–in about 2 weeks time–this court will hand down its decision. It will be yet one more black day for Karpov and his campaign team.
Rumours of a sweeping and unprecedented victory are beginning to appear on the ‘net. More than 120 countries have allegedly backed the incumbent president’s re-election efforts. Last week news of India’s backing of Kirsan made front pages on many blogs. And just yesterday the powerful Chinese chess federation threw its considerable weight behind Ilyumzhinov.
The reality of the situation can not be more clear. With Karpov refusing to throw in the towel, the undecided chess federations will no doubt back the winner.
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS