Las Vegas, Aug 1: Shortly after witnessing the start of over-the-board hostilities in the 1999 World Chess Championships, His Excellency Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, President of the Republic of Kalmykia and also of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) went downstairs to the press room to field questions from the world press. IM Malcolm Pein of Chess Monthly inquired as to the status of the next World Championships. Kirsan disclosed that FIDE had received bids from Hongkong, Sun City (South Africa) and Dortmund. The opening of official bids will be done on August 29, after the conclusion of this year's edition.He emphasised that whatever happens the dates will not change.
The En Passant (Canada) correspondent said they have just been informed that the knock-out championships for the Women's World Championship scheduled for the 3rd week of September 1999 has been cancelled.
He complained that this constant re-scheduling of official events was a strain on the credibility of FIDE. Kirsan replied that there-scheduling should not be blamed on FIDE but rather on Zsuzsa Polgar, Xie Jun and Alisa Galliamova, whose constant protests have pushed back the scheduled 1998 world championships all the way to July 1999. This has scared the sponsors from Kishnev, he said. As of now the fate of the 1999 Championship has been thrown back to the general assembly in Qatar for their decision. Another interesting point brought up by President Kirsan was that chess competition might be held as a demonstration sport in the Sydney Olympics.
One final question: why is President Kirsan putting in so much money in chess. His answer: He has already spent around US $22 million of his personal money in chess. He is a wealthy person. Some people like investing in properties, some like investing in cars. He likes investing in chess.
Courtesy: The Week in Chess
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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