Interview with Andrey Filatov

Andrey Filatov, recently elected President of Russian Chess Federation, gave a long interview for the popular newspaper “Sport-Express”.

The President of the RCF shared with journalist Evgeniy Atarov his plans for promotion of chess, preparation of Russian national teams, the project “Chess in the Museums”, the possibility of organizing a new super-tournament in Russia and many other topics.

Sport-Express: Was it your own initiative to become the President of the federation or you responded to the proposal of the former leadership?

Andrey Filatov: I received a proposal that seemed interesting enough. I’ve been in the chess world for long time and I know it quite well, as once I wanted to become a professional chess player. We organized several significant events with the previous leadership of the RCF – the World Chess Championship in Tretyakov Gallery, Alekhine Memorial in Louvre and Russian Museum. These competitions have been quite successful. When I was approached I was not thinking for too long because I felt I was ready to lead the federation.

Sport-Express: You are known as a chess Maecenas, founder of the project​​ “Chess in Museums”. I wonder whether it will be interesting for you to be a chess official?

Andrey Filatov: Of course, I hope that this work will be useful first of all, but also interesting. Otherwise, why would I agree to do it? The possibilities which chess provides to society are unique. It is not only elite sport, but can also be used for projects of social rehabilitation and the opportunity to raise intellectually developed generation. Researches show that chess players don’t use drugs and this is another good reason to make our sport the most popular one, especially among young people.

Sport-Express: What are your relations with the top officials of FIDE? Are you going to support Kirsan Ilyumzhinov in the presidential elections in August 2014?

Andrey Filatov: We have a good working relationship with Kirsan Nikolayevich. He works hard for promotion and development of chess in the whole world. In November 2013 the Russian Chess Federation supported his candidacy. I absolutely agree with this decision of the RCF Supervisory Board. We cooperated successfully with FIDE in the past, Russia was organizer of major tournaments. I look forward to continue in the same direction.

Sport-Express: How long are you going to work as the President of RCF?

Andrey Filatov: We have elections for the RCF Board every four years. I guess it will be difficult time ahead, we have challenging and interesting tasks to solve, and we will try to attract the best there is in the world of chess. Hopefully we will make progress in promotion of chess, as well as in development of a stable mechanism of funding for this beautiful sport.