All the chess world is following closely the election campaigns for FIDE President run by Anatoly Karpov and Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. Many analysts agree that Russia is the key battle-field here: Karpov's is putting enormous efforts in becoming endorsed, while Ilyumzhinov has been quoted saying that if Russia does not support him, he won't run for President at all.

A few weeks ago an important announcement was made: head of the Russian Chess Federation Assembly, Arkady Dvorkovich, has stated that Ilyumzhinov will become the only official candidate from Russia. Karpov quickly protested and claimed that the decision was illegal since the Assembly hasn't considered this issue.

Today, May, 14, the Assembly finally took place. In fact, Dvorkovich invited everyone to join him at the luxurious Dvorkovich Chess Inn. Some of them have accepted the invitation, while over a half didn't obey! They chose to hold a meeting at the office of the Russian Chess Federation, and gathered enough people for a quorum. They have been joined by Karpov and Kasparov (!), whose passionate speech may have persuaded people to support Anatoly. As a result, the Assembly has endorsed Karpov, which is a sensation of the day! Dvorkovich quickly followed by calling the decision "illegal" due to his absence.

Ilyumzhinov has also addressed the news by saying that Karpov and Kasparov are trying to ruin FIDE once again, like they did in 1993; he also mentioned that Karpov could not support his accusations of corruption in FIDE, although he has been invited by the FIDE Ethic commission to explain himself and apologize.

The stakes are high, and the situation is getting out of control and becoming as unpredictable as ever! Stay tuned for more news and videos!

Pictures and videos from the event are courtesy of chess journalist Evgeny Potemkin:
Karpov and his supporters
Kasparov
Karpov and Kasparov
The Assembly
Public and journalists

Source: Pogonina.com

OMG!!

Ok, here's my analysis of the situation: Karpov needs a better dental prosthesis.

GM-level analysis! 

ONG!!! (Oh, no god)

You do know that Ilyumzhinov has many "beings" that support him:

Kremlin Asked to Probe Kalmyk Leader's Visit With Aliens

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/kremlin-asked-to-probe-kalmyk-leaders-visit-with-aliens/405472.html

 paul211, even Karpov himself mentioned that he considers himself a creator and Kasparov - a destroyer. Kasparov feels good when he has someone to oppose. First the USSR and Karpov, then it was the PCA and chaos in FIDE with two world championships, then the Deep Blue scandal, then opposing the Russian government, now it's FIDE. Therefore, it's somewhat naive to view him as a mediator in the conflict. He normally stirs them, not handles.

As to the president issue: officially Russia has only 1 vote (out of 168) at the FIDE president's elections. Of course, in the reality it's share is larger for the reason of being the only chess super power. Therefore, the current struggle reflects the state of affairs in the Russian Federation (battle for influence), and that should be sorted out privately. I agree with your general critique: some people are indeed not open-minded enough. However, in this case it is not the main problem.

I agree with nat on the women view on the kasparov karpov dynamic but may i say that with regards to the politics of russia i suport kasparov 100% putin and his cronies are destroying russia the world thinks the russian political scene a joke from communism you guys have gone to crony democaracy and back to stalinism.So may be everything needs to destroyed in russia so that what really needs to happen like proper democracy functions.both in chess and in politics.

sorry democracy

I don't have enough info about this chess russian federation "power game" with FIDE Natalia but I know a little about Kasparov, I have read his great book "life and chess" and I know what he is trying to do in Russia with his political party..... and I must say I am definitely with Mr Kasparov and with his battle for a true debate, freedom and democracy in Russia.

Thanks for the update, WGM Pogonina. Sometimes the world of international chess politics is as bizarre as the world of afternoon American soap operas! (by the way, I love your articles and your often witty and hilarious posts in the forums!) Go Karpov!              

Cool so you believe in everything you read? :) that's just silly everyone cares about one thing only no matter what country, sex,  religion and political belief, or money and that is about themselves and Kasparov is no different at all neither are you or me. All is doing in politics is the same as others making money...

That is a horrible world view. Some people do care about others more than themselves. I've both met them, and endeavor to remain friends with them. I think there are very good reasons for pessimism, but not complete hopelessness regarding people's character.

I do not claim he only cares about money but for sure is for selfish reasons and no matter who is elected what regime we are into the same kind of shit happens, lets see for example two different countries/worlds USA and Cuba...

USA is as rich as it gets nowadays and yet their health program sucks we get to see lots of documentaries and news about homeless persons or just poor guys with no insurance getting throw out of the hospital... Cuba as one of the best healt programs in every country in the world! People travel from all over the world to be in those hospitals, and yet girls and boys are sold in exchange for 1$ perfums and shampoos

It does not matter if Obama is the leader, Osama or Castro... One thing is for sure [censored] will happen and as far as they get their pay check, [censored], drug, whatever they are into they will stay happy and won't change [censored] to change the situation...

Do I care about this? No I definitely would do the same or worse if I could lol but Iam not as naive as to think that I would not or to think someone is really honest and make it all right.

As I always say but in Portuguese Life sucks and then we die

"No I definitely would do the same or worst if I could"

Creepy

Is chess as popular in Russia as it was in 1927 when the Russian movie "Chess Fever" was made?

As I always say but in Portuguese Life sucks and then we die

Wow what a great life philosophy, what a great statement, now I see........ you are a wise man and Mr Kasparov he's just an idiot.

Thanks for enriching and enlightening my life Mr Greek philosopher....and please tell me if I can find your books on Amazon to help share your message all over the world.

This would make my day man

Thanks

Does not matter what part of the world you are...when it comes to the opportunity for political power...every shark smells the blood...regardless of the flag they may fly...lines are drawn, and Political fighting takes place. This is even more pronounced in democratic societies...though done, maybe more diplomatically...and behind closed doors. These things we are witnessing are only par for societies struggling to find their identities...to develop their own leadership and ideologies.

I support GM Karpov, not that I believe he is better qualified...hell I don't even know his qualifications, or if he will be a better leader...but rather, no good comes out of ever keeping the same party in power too long...change is necessary and needed at this time...and change can only start from the top.

We can only hope that the eventual outcome is the best for chess.

Thanks WGM Pogonina for sharing this with us. 

@tryst not creepy relistic lol

@herbanmusic True I do ignore like most of the people does all the wrongs in Fide.

But fide is not chess, if you go to their website www.fide.com and .com stands for commercial. As big of an ignorant that Iam I believe Mr. Kasparov already gave it a try with PCA and almost ruined chess splitting the titles...

now more on topic, Iam not really aware how the elecyion takes place or how bad it is the system Fide is living but Mr.K as proven with PCA that he probably isn't the best choice for anything other then playing chess...

Offtopic Ignorants are everyone we just ignore different stuff...

lol I answer most topics I actually read here, and yes I know that PCA was mainly Kasparov but Karpov also seem to ben envolved with it, and if Kasparov was supporting karpov the connection between the two seems rather obvious. And it was not Mr. Ilyumzhinov's or any of his business that sponsored the Anand Topalov mach...