On the campaign trail….
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
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Both Karpov and Kasparov are on tour in Latin America in recent weeks as part of the FIDE election campaign. Below are some photos from his stop over in Bolivia and Peru. As expected, both K’s are treated as superstars where ever they go …though in Cuba there was considerably less paparazzi when Karpov showed up on the weekend. (But this might have more to do with government control of the media)
Karpov yesterday in Bolivia playing against President Evo Morales. The game was televised live and lasted for 4 minutes. Karpov offered a draw in an advantageous position…he later complained of difficulty concentrating at that height! Morales promised to give Karpov all the support he needed in the upcoming election.
At the presidential palace in Bolivia
”If I go here, then he will go there. Then…”
Anatoly Karpovtakes part in simultaneous chess games with Henry Arauz, 6, at the presidential palace in La Paz, June 23, 2010.
Kasparov and Karpov in Lima, Perú, Coliseo Dibos, the day before
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SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
In the meantime, Ilyumzhinov’s campaign website claimed today to have 45 votes so far. (http://www.onefide.com/) However, few actually believe that the popular FIDE incumbent has not got much more than that!
Ilyumzhinov probably wants to give the impression that the race is close and that his lead is slight, but growing. In 2006, in his election against Bessel Kok, some say that Ilyumzhinov had amassed more than 90 votes several months before the actual election count!
In anycase, Ilyumzhinov wants to look good before being elected, and he has a lot to gain by playing off of the widely publicized Karpov/Kasparov campaign.
In a gesture undoubtedly meant to start the healing process between incumbent FIDE president Ilyumzhinov and challenger Anatoly Karpov, the official website of Ilyumzhinov announced today that he seeks further cooperation between the 2Ks and FIDE in the future following the September election.
”The FIDE President is inspired by this idea of the two champions, although it has only appeared during an election campaign, and is intending to support them by covering their travel and hotel expenses for a long-term programme.
“I welcome the initiative of these famous champions and I presume they shall perform these activities on a voluntary and non-profit basis. I hope that they will accept my proposal and that they will be active for the whole period of the next 4 years. Today all of us should prove that whatever we are promising is not only for the elections.” (www.onefide.com)
There has not been any response from either of the 2Ks as yet. Today’s announcement continues:
”The FIDE Presidential Board at its meeting in Antalya two years ago created a working group of World Chess Champions under the supervision of the FIDE Vice-President GM Zurab Azmaiparashvili. I would like to express our gratitude to our great players for the participation in the activities of this working group.”
“FIDE receives many requests from various parts of the world for assisting in arranging exhibitions and events with well-known chess players. I am certain that people in many countries will be happy to meet their idols. We do not have any doubt that the “two K’s” chess propaganda project is for a very long-term perspective. Now the FIDE Commission is working on a programme of the players’ visits to various countries and regions. In case of necessity I am ready to assist in financing the trips aimed at the popularisaton of our game all over the world.”
It is beyond any doubt that a co-operation of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov with the “two K’s” shall be beneficial for the further development of chess worldwide!”
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BREAKING NEWS
Fide President offers to help pay campaign expenses of Karpov !?
In a gesture undoubtedly meant to start the healing process between incumbent FIDE president Ilyumzhinov and challenger Anatoly Karpov, the official website of Ilyumzhinov announced today that he seeks further cooperation between the 2Ks and FIDE in the future following the September election.
”The FIDE President is inspired by this idea of the two champions, although it has only appeared during an election campaign, and is intending to support them by covering their travel and hotel expenses for a long-term programme.
“I welcome the initiative of these famous champions and I presume they shall perform these activities on a voluntary and non-profit basis. I hope that they will accept my proposal and that they will be active for the whole period of the next 4 years. Today all of us should prove that whatever we are promising is not only for the elections.” (www.onefide.com)
There has not been any response from either of the 2Ks as yet. Today’s announcement continues:
”The FIDE Presidential Board at its meeting in Antalya two years ago created a working group of World Chess Champions under the supervision of the FIDE Vice-President GM Zurab Azmaiparashvili. I would like to express our gratitude to our great players for the participation in the activities of this working group.”
“FIDE receives many requests from various parts of the world for assisting in arranging exhibitions and events with well-known chess players. I am certain that people in many countries will be happy to meet their idols. We do not have any doubt that the “two K’s” chess propaganda project is for a very long-term perspective. Now the FIDE Commission is working on a programme of the players’ visits to various countries and regions. In case of necessity I am ready to assist in financing the trips aimed at the popularisaton of our game all over the world.”
It is beyond any doubt that a co-operation of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov with the “two K’s” shall be beneficial for the further development of chess worldwide!”
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SPRAGGETT ON CHESS