WWC Alexandra Kosteniuk has come out to publicly support Arkady Dvorkovich who supports FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. This is the complete opposite position from the US Chess Federation which publicly supports WC Anatoly Karpov. Below are some articles by Chessdom about the upcoming election.
Alexandra Kosteniuk supports Arkady Dvorkovich
Kramnik also expressed support for Dvorkovich
Presented by Chessdom
Arkady Dvorkovich is receiving strong internal support regarding the events of May 14th. The World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk sent a letter backing the actions of Dvorkovich. The support of Kosteniuk comes only a few days after the expressed support by the Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik. Both are published at the Russian Chess Federation official site, here is a translation in English of the letter of Kosteniuk.
Support for Dvorkovich by Alexandra Kosteniuk
Dear fans of chess, chess figures, and all who care about the fate of the Russian Chess Federation and chess life in Russia!
During the World Chess Olympiad, from 19 September to 4 October 2010 in Khanty-Mansiysk, will be held presidential elections in FIDE. At the moment the desire to run for the post have stated Kirsan N. Ilyumzhinov and Anatoly Karpov.
During any political game, especially when the fight will come two strong candidates, we learn many new, often distant from the objectivity, things. Because of the elections, the work of the whole of the Russian Chess Federation is threatened. In light of the forthcoming World Chess Olympiad this is a cause for concern, since the successful performance of the Russian team in this competition is directly dependent on the work of RCF.
As a chess professional, world champion, and leader of the Russian national team in recent years I have been an interested witness of life of the Russian Chess Federation and was able to communicate and work with all officials of the federation. On my proposals, regarding the issues of organizing and paying taxes, people who work in the Federation, and who is now trying by all means to stay at the helm, only were giving promises. For more than a year (until April 2009), I get no support from the federation for my training camps, under the pretext of lack of money. Often the impression was that work is done not for the players, but for the bureaucrats.
In connection with the foregoing, I must say that if it were not for Arkady V. Dvorkovich, I would not dare to return to
professional chess at the end of 2007 and to bring Russia the women’s chess crown in 2008. Also, I would not be able to play for the Russian national team in October 2009 and to bring to Russia the second European team gold since Dvorkovich was the only person from all Chess Federation, who was always willing to try dealing with the given situations.
After the restructuring of the Russian Chess Federation in February this year, I believe that the change of government will only improve the work of RCF. Negotiations with the new leadership of the federation for Olympic preparations and the presentation of the supervisory board, which took place under the leadership Dvorkovich, for the first time in many years gives hope that finally RCF is a strong open structure, and to participating in a combined team of Russian chess is not only prestigious, but also profitable.
But all these hopes are now at risk because of the actions of people who say they work for the benefit of chess, but in fact, their only purpose is their desire to remain in power. Therefore, I would like to support the position Arkady V. Dvorkovich and encourage people who are not indifferent to the future of chess in Russia, to soberly assess the situation, try to find compromises, and not to destroy what there is by building castles in the air.
Original letter in Russian by Alexandra Kosteniuk
More on the topic
Russian Chess Federation names Ilyumzhinov FIDE candidate
RCF May 14 events
Interview with Arkady Dvorkovich
Statement by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
Open letter by Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
I will never work with Karpov – interview with Arkady Dvorkovich
Isn’t Kosteniuk the official spokesperson for the USCF? So why is she against the federation which pays her? What is the position of the USCF regarding this issue?
So does this mean that the USCF will change its position to conform with the stance of GM Kosteniuk?
It doesnt matter they not running anything, they just talking and takin pictures. This new chess dance is called the ULTRAPOP,we show them 1 knight trick then we sit back and watch the top guys try to learn, it might take them 20 years but Um sure they will see the light after awhile.
“So does this mean that the USCF will change its position to conform with the stance of GM Kosteniuk?”?
No, this means Kosteniuk will have her advertising and products immediately removed from Chess Life unless she changes her mind to be more like the USCF chess politicians.
What does Mr. Bill Hall and Mr. Bill Goichberg say about GM Kosteniuk going against the USCF and USCF members?
Kudos to GM Kosteniuk for standing up to the corrupt chess politicians within the USCF. She should definitely speak out against Bill Goichberg, Randy Bauer, Jim Berry, Bill Hall, and Mike Atkins. These are a bunch of incompetent individuals who just want power for their own benefits.
Susan, I feel a little disturbed by the general line you seem to be taking in respect of this Karpov-Ilyumzhinov struggle.
Can you tell us which side you support?
I find it difficult to believe that you could support or even be neutral about this.
If you do, then I have sadly misjudged you; I hope I am wrong about this.
Anon 11:34, what general line am I taking? As I mentioned at various times before right here, my website is designed to bring you updated, timely, fair and objective chess daily news and information from around the globe. I do not like politics of any kind, especially chess politics.
I have published all information I received about the FIDE election from both sides.
I know WCs Karpov and Kasparov as well as FIDE President Ilyumzhinov very well for a long time. They all have strengths and weaknesses.
I am not comfortable with some of the members on both camps. If you want true reform for chess then get rid of all the chess politicians. I am not buying into any political nonsense than my chess politician is cleaner than yours.
In the mean time, I will continue to report the news about the election timely, fairly and objectively. Both sides are welcome to send me their information as they have in the past.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
So what’s your opinion about Kosteniuk supporting Kirsan Ilyumzhinov anon 11:34? Are you disappointed in her too?
How can Karpov reform FIDE when he has the crooked thugs from the USCF on his side? You have to be joking, right? Karpov has no credibility by having the USCF endorsing and running his campaign.
Susan, continue to stay neutral and not get caught up in this political mess. The USCF is up to no good again by trying to take over FIDE through Karpov.
You noticed that anything Kosteniuk related has been removed from the home page of the USCF. No articles, promotion of her book, etc. Now she’ll see what the USCF is about as they turn on her.
There is another RCF meeting this week, watch how the tables turn on Karpov.
Thank you for your reply, Susan; and the news you publish is appreciated.
My comment was sparked by your comment (in respect of Kosteniuk’s announcement) “This is the complete opposite position from the US Chess Federation which publicly supports WC Anatoly Karpov”.
As you had previously criticised the USCF decision to support Karpov, the implication appeared to me as support for Ilyumzhinov.
I understand that you have issues with the USCF, but that does not mean that every decision they make is wrong.
Indeed, this has been their best decision for a long time.
It is well understood that Ilyumzhinov bribed his way to power at Turin in 2006. His opponents will need every bit of support from those of influence to prevent this happening again this time. This is why the early and decisive USCF decision was such a good thing. We all need to pull together to get rid of him. This is far more important than an internal US squabble.
To the three Anonymous’ who posted after Susan’s comment: You must be fairly new to chess and not know Ilyumzhinov’s history. Hint: read Sarah Hurst’s book.
To Anonymous 11:48 – “Am I disappointed in Kosteniuk supporting Ilyumzhinov?”: Yes.
I do not believe I have discussed the USCF position regarding this election.
The issue which I did raise is the way “how the endorsement came about”. It was done in secret with some behind the scene arm twisting which is totally against the USCF bylaws. The only few key issues which can be discussed in private are:
– Legal issues
– Employment
– Contracts, etc.
USCF members have the right to know what their leadership is doing and are they doing things for the best interest of the members?
The FIDE election clearly does not fall into any of the above categories. How can the USCF have any credibility in this issue when they have some of the most corrupt chess politicians on the planet?
I have more first hand knowledge of the key players in this election than 99.9% of all the chess players. I can assure you that I am not relying of any media bias or political spins from either party. Unfortunately, most chess players do not know what goes on behind the scene and they have to rely on the one sided political chess news.
Other than that, I have not taken or discussed any position. Once again, both sides are welcome to send me their messages / information as they have done in the past and I will present them as is. My job is to share with the chess enthusiasts updated, timely, fair and objective chess daily news and information from around the globe.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
Anon, how come you don’t have the courage to reveal your name or identity while criticizing Susan for looking out for the best interest of all chess players? Kosteniuk can do what she wishes. Chess players don’t have to support their chess politicians blindly. Why is Karpov or Kasparov better than anyone else? Kasparov nearly destroyed FIDE and now he’s up to his old tricks again because he doesn’t get his way with Putin? Grow up. Kasparov and Karpov are about themselves just as the rest of them on both sides.
Who cares! Anyone can endorse any person she / he wants. Kosteniuk has the right to make the best possible deals for herself. FIDE has more money than the USCF so it’s a no brainer.
The way FIDE runs world championships is reason enough for many to vote for a change of FIDE president.
Anon 19/5 11:34 is spot on. Although the USCF board seems be a fine bunch of crooks, on this particular issue, they are totally in the right. It is not so much a matter of choosing Karpov, or what you think of Kasparov, but of wrestling the chess world from the farsical situation it has been in with a corrupt dictator at its helm for the last I don’t know how many years. Failing to attract sponsorship or outside interest in chess, relying instead on personal sponsorships and tournaments in remote locations where nobody is even interested in visiting the playing hall is perhaps the worst, but his destruction of the world championship is also up there. I urge anyone with sense who cares about the chess world to rid themselves of personal sym- or antipathies and help get somebody elected who is not Ilyumzhinov – even if a few Putin-puppets try to prevent it.
“which took place under the leadership Dvorkovich, for the first time in many years gives hope that finally RCF is a strong open structure”
yes, a fine open structure where Dvorkovich makes unilateral decisions w/o convening the supervisory council, and then tries to hold closed meetings when a quorom of council members holds an open one.
I’d take Kosteniuk’s letter with a grain of salt as she obviously has a conflict of interest here since Dvorkovich can effect her chances to play on the national team. She is thinking about her future, not the future of the RCF and FIDE.
So are you saying that Kosteniuk doesn’t give a damn about anyone but herself, her money and her ego? And the USCF is supporting a person who’s anti-USCF, anti-Karpov, anti-change, anti-chess professionals instead of supporting Irina Krush or Anna Zatonskih? So are you saying that Kosteniuk has been milking money from both RCF and USCF while lying about her resume by saying that she became a GM at 14 and she’s the youngest WGM in chess history? I’m not sure if I understand you right. So who from the USCF is supporting Kosteniuk’s position? Bill Goichberg? Bill Hall? Jim Berry? Randy Bauer? Mike Atkins?
Susan the wording of the current bylaws and such list those topics as examples of things to be discussed in closed session, but does not limit it to those topics. It is a grey area where the language needs to be cleaned up.
Goichberg and his mindless sychophants are supporting Karpov because it would benefit his company CCA a great deal. Goichberg doesn’t care about US chess. He only cares about his own pocket and personal power. He puts the USCF and all the members who are interested in playing norm events in serious problems.
How come the coward jackass isn’t talking about this? Has he been bought to feel important again? What a jackass!
Hmmmm. Total silence by jackass. He must be guilty as charged.
Total silence by jackass!
Did someone call me?
Kosteniuk does not have a vote in the RCF.
I understand that the RCF have voted – for Karpov and against Ilyumzavitch.
Obviously not Ilyumzavitch wanted: can’t see how he can be a candidate for President of FIDE now.
You understand incorrectly by following the clearly bias chess media which stands to benefit from Karpov winning the election. Karpov winning would be a tragedy for most professional players. But it is certainly good for him, Kasparov and his chess politician friends.
You understand incorrectly by following the clearly bias chess media which stands to benefit from Karpov winning the election. Karpov winning would be a tragedy for most professional players. But it is certainly good for him, Kasparov and his chess politician friends.
I thought Ms. Alexandra Kosteniuk cares about the US and US chess? If this is the case how can she go against the USCF and all its members? What will the USCF do about this travesty?
Ah-ha! Dvokovich gives her money, so she of course supports him.
So her value goes to the highest bidder? I guess she got more from him than Bill Hall and Bill Goichberg. Dang!
The girl got to do what she got to do. When you ain’t got enough talent in chess, you gotta use your other assets.
Come on. Leave her alone. Why should she care about other professional players? She needs to make a few bucks to take care of her family. She’s not responsible for other people’s welfare. Russia is a free country. She can do what she wants.
Well well well… if this isn’t shaping up to be the geo-political contest of year 2010, between:
Chessninja/Karpov/Kasparov/”U.S.A.” versus
Chessdom/Illumwhateverov/Putin/Russia
with lots of side-battles; e.g. those who hate Danailov (Chessbase), fond of Dvorkovich (Kramnik, Kosteniuk).
“The girl got to do what she got to do. When you ain’t got enough talent in chess, you gotta use your other assets.”
Perhaps is a good time to talk about her fat and wrinkles. I am an expert.
Nigel
Yes, it does sound like Kosteniuk’s support is based on her own castle in the air which is dependent on Danailov’s financial support. And yes, her letter of self-interest is a jumble of confusing statements.
Kosteniuk made the right decision. The USCF should change their position immediately. I fully support President Ilyumzhinov and Kosteniuk.
“Kosteniuk made the right decision. The USCF should change their position immediately. I fully support President Ilyumzhinov and Kosteniuk.”
I wonder how many paid assistants Ilyumzhinov and Dvorkovich have posting here?
I wonder how many paid assistants Karpov and Kasparov have posting here?
Dunno, but it’s clear we have at least one for Ilyumzhinov and Dvorkovich.
Of course Karpov and Kasparov don’t need to pay assistants to post supporting messages to blogs. Plenty of people will do that for free.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov will get chess to the Olympic. Kosteniuk will be the 1st chess supermodel.
http://www.anusha.com/kosteniuk9.jpg
http://sports.rightpundits.com/wp-content/photos/Alexandra_Kosteniuk_3.jpg
She’s the best role model for girls. Just look at those pictures.