CAMPAIGN UPDATE
Friends,
As the FIDE election date approaches, I continue to visit federations all over the world to promote the values that make me who I am today: honesty, integrity and hard work. When I am FIDE’s next president, I will bring change to the organization: FIDE will do more to support national federations – not the other way around. I will also lead FIDE to achieve new and exciting initiatives. At the top of my list, I will introduce chess in schools as part of elementary education. Chess teaches kids patience, decision making, strategic thinking and taking responsibility for their decisions. The skills that are in great demand in our complex, modern society. While I do my part as a candidate for the FIDE presidency, each of you can also become a champion of change. Contact your local chess federation and – ask them what they are doing for the ‘Chess in School’ initiatives in your city.
~ Garry Kasparov
Meanwhile, here is a brief summary of my campaign trips and developments. We will keep this page updated as I continue to meet with federation officials, politicians, business leaders and delegates.
Kasparov Letter to the Federations
Greetings to all members and officials of the global chess community.
With this message we reach the middle of a very sharp middlegame in this campaign for the FIDE presidency! My team and I will be reaching out to you directly with regular updates and announcements and we welcome your ideas and questions. garry@kasparov.com
Since my campaign launch in Tallinn last October I have been to more than 40 countries while my ticket members and campaign team have visited at least 40 more. I have met and spoken to the chess representatives of nearly 100 nations. During all these encounters I have had some amazing experiences that have renewed my faith in the global chess community and also convinced me more than ever that we must have change in FIDE. We talked about their needs, their ideas, and what they hope to achieve.
I said at the start of my campaign that I would listen and I have heard very clearly at every level on every continent: “We need funding!”
Even many relatively affluent federations are struggling, and that’s before paying all their FIDE fees – the fees, by the way, that my administration will immediately reduce and inside two years, completely eliminate. There’s little or no sponsorship and basic chess equipment is often lacking. The officials, organizers, parents, and players scramble just to host a national championship or to travel to a junior event.
At the same time, everywhere I go I get an enthusiastic reception from the politicians and corporate leaders who would be ideal sponsors for chess! Education and Sports ministers want to adopt our programs immediately. The media comes out in big numbers to hear about chess in education and CEOs see chess is a great way to get attention. And yet FIDE cannot find a sponsor for our crown jewel, the World Championship? Chess is popular but chess is poor. Many federations are broke and FIDE is broken.
I have raised and invested over four million dollars in private sponsorship during this campaign already and as FIDE president I could do this ten times over.
My team is implementing school programs and signing agreements of support with federations. We do this transparently, publicly, and with the guarantees all commercial sponsors demand and that the chess world deserves. We have sponsored tournaments, opened education programs, and hosted events all over the world. My team and I are not just making promises, we are demonstrating how it will be when a professional team runs FIDE for the good of chess.
Our campaign and my Foundation activities are a good model of what FIDE should be doing to bring money into chess instead of taking it out. Instead, Ilyumzhinov and his campaign team are traveling the world on FIDE money! Your money! It’s the perfect symbol of his 19 years in charge. My team and I arrive with concrete plans, long-term agreements, and funds that are ready to go into chess development immediately. Ilyumzhinov simply makes bigger promises than the ones he made four years ago and hopes nobody will notice that he never keeps them.
But as Ilyumzhinov and his team are learning, this year is different.
Many federations, especially in Asia and Africa, have already abandoned him for a brighter future for themselves and for chess with my administration. 19 years is enough. It is time for a change. It is time for professionalism, modernization, and transparency. It is time to bring real money into our great game so the passion for chess can thrive around the world.
Rebuilding the chess world will not be easy and it requires everyone’s participation. Ask me and my team what we can do for you, but at the same time tell us what you can do for the world of chess!
Garry Kasparov
New York City
May 30, 2014
May 29th, 2014
ASIA RISING
Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines President, will be the standard bearer of the Team Kasparov for the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) elections.
Running on a platform of more equitable representation for Asian countries for more ease in empowering them, Pichay – an accomplished businessman and a consistent outstanding Congressman in his country’s legislature – vows the chess world will see more nations from the biggest continent with him at the helm of ACF.
May 27, 2014 13:15
Letter from Ignatius Leong to the Federations: Kirsan and his Promises
The 2014 FIDE Election Campaign of the 19-year incumbent Kirsan Ilyumzhinov is certainly the dirtiest we’ve ever seen. His mudslinging and cheap shots are the acts of a desperate man doing desperate things.
Kasparov represents needed change, removing a stale and corrupt regime consisting of Ilyumzhinov together with Georgios Makropoulos and others, or “Makro & friends.” The Ilyumzhinov team’s frantic personal attacks show they know how weak their support is this year and how many of their 2010 supporters have abandoned them in favor of Kasparov’s team.
PHILIPPINES
National Chess Federation of the Philippines reaffirms support!
SOUTH AFRICA
Closing ceremony with CHESSA President Hendrik du Toit — at Southdowns College.
With the squad from Swaziland — at Southdowns College.
With Ugandan IM Elijah Emojong who performed well in the GM norm section — at Southdowns College.
Garru with the Lesotho team — at Southdowns College.
By Samuel Sanya
GARRY Kasparov’s second visit to Uganda kicked off on the right note with corporates reaching into their deep pockets to support the development of chess in schools and around the country.Read more
Kasparov talks to corporates and UCF officials during a dinner at Serena Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo
ETHIOPIA
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia April 2014
From left. Mr. Debesu President chess federation Ethiopia, Graham Jurgensen, Garry Kasparov, Tariq President chess federation Nigeria, Africa Msimang , President KCF Africa , Githinji Hinga president Chess Kenya , Getnet Ethiopia chess. @ Organisation of Africa Union Head office , Addis Ababa
An Open Letter Thanking the Malaysia Chess Community
On 23 April 2014, Garry Kasparov, 13th World Chess Champion and Candidate for FIDE President, flew into a grand welcome in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Garry and Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah
Garry and Datuk Ibrahim Ahmad, Director General MARA with Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib, President of the Malaysian Chess Federation copy
Garry in conversation with Dato Sri Mustapha Mohamad, Minister for International Trade & Industry
Garry handing over a cheque to Tan Dri Ramli Ngah Talib to help start Kasparov Chess Foundations Asia-Pacific’s support for Chess in Education
Garry was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, following no less than another legend in Mohammad Ali as the only other sportsman winner!
Group Photo of Global Leadership Awards Winners 2014
Chess Royalty in Australia!
Report and photos by Leonid Sandler
It had been a long 14 years since Chess World Champion ( V.Anand then) visited Australia. Finally Garry Kasparov made the long awaited trip to the Green Continent in his first and hopefully not the last visit!
FULL STORY
Chess on the frontline
With ACF President Gary Wastell giving out prizes.
Champions
The organiser of Doeberl Cup tournament in Canberra Charles Bishop thanking Garry for his help promoting this Premier Australian event.
“I thought I had seen just about everything, to be honest,” said Kasparov. “But Mexico City has surpassed my wildest expectations in so many ways. First off, the fans and even non-chessplayers showing so much interest and support. Education unites everyone! Then, the unanimity of political support here for KCF and chess in education is amazing. The mayor, the senate, the congress, the city assembly, they all joined in, across party lines! One joked it was the first time the PRD and PRI guys wanted to be in the same photo together! The Sports Minister, Jesús Mena, even came to speak at the KCF opening. I’m very grateful for all their support and efforts. And I must give special mention to my friend Hiquingari Carranza, director of the new KCF, for making all of this possible. He did so much great work that I think I could have asked him for another pyramid in Teotihuacan and he could have built it in a month!
– Garry Kasparov
Garry getting a few simul tips from Mexico City mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera. (GM Nikola Mitkov, a visiting trainer sent by KCF, on the left.)
A challenger arises! A surprise guest at the Congress was the age group champion of Mexico City for an impromptu game of blitz with the former world champion. To Kasparov’s right is the very impressive young Congressman Zárate, who is spearheading the chess in education campaign in parliament.
With Senadora Lilia Guadalupe Merodio Reza in her office. A friendly draw was agreed.
Emilio Lozoya is the CEO of Petróleos Mexicanos, better known as PEMEX, one of the world’s largest companies. He’s also a chess fan and supporter of Kasparov’s efforts to promote the game as a sport and education tool in Latin America. PEMEX, along with Banamex, the Slim Foundation, and many other big sponsors made the new Foundation center and this amazing event possible.
A firm handshake with Hiquingari Carranza after signing the papers formally launching the Fundacion Kasparov de Ajedrez para IberoAmerica. Carranza is the president and is already hard at work.
Garry Kasparov might not be ready to play in the Senior World Championship just yet, but he did visit the event in Portugal in March. He was visiting the country also to meet with the Portuguese Federation and its impressive president, Francisco Castro, and participate in meetings with government officials on his preferred topic of chess in education.
Garry with Francisco Castro and another legend, former women’s world champion Nona Gaprindashvili of Georgia.
With Secretary of Sports and Youth Emídio Guerreiro
With Valentina Kozlovskaya of Russia, who won the 65+ event.
In the framework of innovative program “Sport in School”, Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting with the world chess legend Garry Kasparov, who was in Tirana with an invitation of Albanian Government and under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Innovation and Public Administration. In the meeting held at the prime minister were also invited young people, students, and chess sport fans, among them were also former Albanian champions of this sport.
Prime Minister Edi Rama stressed the commitment of the government to make available to this innovative program all the possible human and material capacities.
From the very beginning of his campaign for FIDE president, Garry Kasparov talked about promoting chess, not just running for office. The impact of his many visits around the world (now over 20 countries!) has been tremendous, making front-page news on three continents and putting the game of chess in the spotlight.
An even better result came in Gambia, where the Kasparov Chess Foundation sponsored an impressive chess championship! Mr. Larbi Houari was on the scene for us and Alieu M Sallah, Secretary General of the Gambian Chess Federation, prepared this excellent report. Africa Rising!!!
Report by Alieu M Sallah, Secretary General of the Gambian Chess Federation
Garry Kasparov, Antouman Njie and Larbi Houari in Dakar – 2014, January 28th
Garry Kasparov, President Boubakar Diallo (Senegal) and President Antouman NJIE on the way to Goree Island
Alhagi Momodou M Dibba, the President Gambia National Olympic Committee (center) with Larbi Houari and Antouman Njie
The Africa tour finished in Congo with a fitting conclusion on the themes of unity and cooperation that had been seen during the entire trip. Kasparov learned a great deal from his gracious hosts about their ambitious dreams for chess and education and he discussed the implementation of his chess in schools platform. There was also great interest in establishing a framework for tournament chess in order to develop FIDE-rated talents to train and inspire the next generation of kids. This type of far-reaching planning — as you should expect from chess players! — is what the Kasparov Chess Foundation does and what FIDE will do with Team Kasparov. FULL STORY
Members of the Congolese Federation around Garry Kasparov
Garry Kasparov plays a friendly game against the winner of the tournament
Following the major success of the gala dinner function in Tanzania, Garry and the team arrived at Oliver Tambo Airport in Johannesburg on the morning of the 5th February 2014.
Once again, neighbouring federations had been invited to meet with him during this stop and his first engagement was a private dinner function with the executive board of the Namibian Chess federation as well as Mr Benjamin Hoareau, President of the Seychelles Chess Federation. FULL STORY
Garry, Afrika and Advocate Lyndon Bouah following the dinner with Chess Namibia and Seychelles
Garry with the newly elected members of the CHESSA Executive Board.
“When I was a child, my father and I would read the stories of the great explorers and adventurers. One name always stuck in my head as a distant and magical place: Zanzibar! To be honest, when my plane was coming in to Dar es Salaam and the announcement said it would be continuing to Zanzibar, I was tempted to stay aboard. But now that I know just where it is, and how welcoming are the people of Tanzania, and how well our chess programs will perform here, I am sure I will have a chance to return soon to fulfill this childhood dream.”
— Garry Kasparov
GM Kasparov addressing Students at Shabaan Robert Secondary School, from his Right Mr. Ramji , Headmaster of Shabaan Robert Secondary School, Mr. Vinay Choudary the Chairman Tanzania Chess Foundation, Mr. Lekan Adeyemi President Nigeria Chess Federation, Mr. Geoffrey Mwanyika Chairman Tanzania Chess Association
Future champion? Maybe 🙂
GM Kasparov with National Sports Council Chairman and Hon. Minister Dr. Fenella Mukangara and Board members of Tanzania Chess Association
GM Kasparov with Board Members of Tanzania Chess Association
Nigeria Rising! Officials & Business Leaders Welcome Kasparov
During all of his campaign and chess promotion travels, Garry Kasparov returns to a central message: “Politics, business, and education mix when you have the right recipe, and that recipe is chess!” His plan, to fund chess in education programs, national chess federations and FIDE itself with the balanced cultivation of commercial sponsorship and public investment. Instead forcing the federations to pay onerous fees to FIDE, the international federation will leverage its global profile to support and develop the federations. FULL STORY
Garry Kasparov’s campaign tour brought him next to Ghana, a nation whose name means King, or Warrior King. It is an auspicious name for chess, and for a visiting chess king. As always, Kasparov was enthusiastically welcomed by the local chess community as well as local officials from the political and business communities.
Our special thanks and congratulations to George Arko-Dadzie, president of the Ghana Chess Association, for winning his election and showing for the Kasparov team. (And also for the photos and report!)
President of GCA, GM Kasparov and CEO of UT Bank at the Inaugural Ceremony of the UT Bank Chess Club
Simultaneous game with two children
Photograph with students of Queen’s International School
Photograph with students of Queen’s International School
The second stop on Garry Kasparov’s latest campaign tour was Ivory Coast, where he was received with such grace and celebration that he could scarcely believe his eyes. Truly the revolution in the chess world is beginning in Africa! FULL STORY
The Minister of Sports Alain Lobognon received Garry Kasparov, Larbi Houari, Eissis Essoh and Charles LORNG at his cabinet.
To the sides of Fadika Sarra Sako, the second vice-president Madam Amah Tehoua, the deputy Mr. Toure Yacouba and other honorable members of the Ivorian national assembly share questions.
Garry Kasparov launched the West Africa portion of his latest campaign tour in Senegal. He was very well received on every level, from the national governments to chess officials to chess fans. Speaking after his visits to Senegal and Ivory Coast, Kasparov said,
“These have been some of the most amazing days of my life. The enthusiasm here for chess, for what it can do for kids and for education, is really amazing. They see what we have done with the Kasparov Chess Foundation Africa and are inspired. I appreciate their respect for me and my achievements, of course, but I also know that I have much to see and learn here.
Garry Kasparov on the presidential boat heading to the island of Gorée together with Mr. Antouman NJIE (left) and Boubakar DIALLO (right), respectively presidents of the federations of Gambia and Senegal.
Welcomed by the Deputy of Mr. Augustin Senghor, Mayor of the Gorée island
Garry Kasparov with the Olympic Committee
Garry received by the Minister of Sports of Senegal, Mr. Mbagnick Ndiaye
Receiving the Order of Merit for Sport from Mr. Alain Lobognon the Minister of Sports
Lady Aminata Touré: Prime Minister of Senegal.
Kasparov in Korea
By Choi Junil
When the news came out from Tallinn that Garry Kasparov announced his candidacy and his team for the FIDE Elections 2014, Mdm Hyun In Suk, President of Korea Chess Federation, immediately sent an email to Mr Ignatius Leong to extend her invitation to Kasparov to visit Korea on 26-28 December. Mr Leong responded immediately that Mr Kasparov had accepted the invitation but he would have to inform his mother, wife and three children as they had already planned to spend Christmas in Tallinn. Most urgently was that he needed to change his entire itinerary for that period.
Press Conference held at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club – from left, Ignatius Leong, Garry Kasparov, KCF President Mdm Hyun In Suk, President of Gangneung Yeongdong College Mr Nam Pyeong Oh and the translator.
More than 150 kids queuing for their books to be autographed.
Almira Skripchenko giving a simul.
Garry Kasparov’s Asian tour landed in the Philippines and it was a long and busy day indeed! He received a great welcome in the chess-mad nation, and spent a full day of meetings and events. Full report below by one of the Philippines many Grandmasters. (You may not guess how many!)FULL STORY
VIP Welcome by the Asia’s first Grandmaster Eugene Torre at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport
NCFP Chairman/President Prospero A. Pichay Jr. (center, shaking hands with Kasparov) officially welcomes GM Garry Kasparov (From far left Judge Gonzalo Mapili, GM Jayson Gonzales, GM Eugene Torre, Congressman Neri Javier Colmenares, and Ignatius Leong.
Philippine Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (extreme right) presents his gift to GM Kasparov (Far left GM Torre, GM Gonzales, Ignatius Leong, and Senator Pimentel’s Lawyer Sister and his chief of staff.
Kasparov and Leong Well Received in Macau and Hong Kong
Garry’s first campaign tour to Asia with Ignatius Leong continued in Macau and Hong Kong. Our great thanks to the organizers for their efforts and to Jose Silveirinha and Jackson Li for their reports. Earlier reports from the trip are here and here.
Leong, Mdm Leong Lai, Kasparov, Mr Jose Tavares and Mr Jose Silveirinha.
GK with Leong and board members of the Hong Kong Chess Federation, Chan Ping-Yuen, Secretary Luk Luen-Wah, Vice President Prof Harold Corke, President Jackson Li, Ms Ho Yinping, Delegate KK Chan and Mingo Lam.
Sponsorship, Education, and Technology the Focus for Kasparov in Singapore
Report by Peter Long
The legendary former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov was the Guest of Honour at the Singapore Chess Federation Awards Night on 16 November 2013. Kasparov, a candidate to become the president of FIDE (World Chess Federation), was on his second stop on his first tour of Asian countries that have pledged their support to the charismatic Russian, who is based in New York, USA. FULL STORY
Launch of the Kasparov Chess Foundation Asia-Pacific
SCF President Making His Annual Repot
Kasparov Sees Chess of All Kinds in Thailand
by Panupand Vijjuprabha
FIDE Presidential Candidate Garry Kasparov and running mate Ignatius Leong arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, on the 19th November and received VVIP reception at the airport by the Secretary and Delegate of the Thailand Chess Association (TCA) Mr Panupand Vijjuprabha. FULL STORY
Mr Kittiratt, the Minister of Finance, explaining the rules of Thai Chess to a fascinated Kasparov
Kasparov learning Myanmar Chess as Treasurer Sahapol watches.
FIDE General Secretary Leong enjoying blitz games with some of the players
Discussing an endgame position
The first tour of the campaign is in Asia and the first stop was Indonesia. Afterward, Garry heads to Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Macau, and Hong Kong. The launch of the Kasparov Chess Foundation Asia-Pacific is imminent! Garry will return to Asia in 2014. Full story
Meeting Mr. Muhammad Nuh, National Education and Culture Minister of Indonesia.
A souvenir from Chairman of the Indonesian National Olympic Committee, Mr. Tono Suratman (Ret. Major General).
Left to right – Hamidy (Secretary-General), Ignatius Leong, Immanuel Robert Inkiriwang, Tono Suratman (Ret. Major General), Garry Kasparov, GM Utut Adianto, Suwarno (Ret. Major General), Rikardo (Indonesian Chess Federation)
Talking with Mr. Roy Suryo, the Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs of Indonesia.
Mr. Hashim S. Djojohadikusumo, Chairman of Indonesian Chess Federation giving the opening speech at dinner.
To read more campaign trail stories, please visit my campaign site at www.kasparov2014.com
You can also follow our campaign developments on Facebook and on Twitter for more instantaneous news and updates.
Garry can also be found on Instagram, where we continue to release his historic photos along with more current photo updates.
Garry’s Timeline
Follow Garry's extraordinary path through years of relentless activism.
View the full Biography
© 2024 Garry Kasparov. All rights reserved.
