What a wonderful and beautiful welcome for FIDE President, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov in Cusco, Peru!

Kirsan Interview from Cusco, Peru

Courtesy of Torre64.com

By Kelver Vera

Cusco, July 11, 2010 – It is 6:50 a.m. and I’m at the airport waiting like many others for the arrival of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, president of the World Chess Federation (FIDE). It is 7:00 a.m. and his flight has arrived but Kirsan and his entourage are having breakfast at the airport so I am waiting for them to finish. Meanwhile, outside of the airport, details are being finalized and a welcome banner and a group of musicians with their dancers are waiting for Kirsan to give him a warm welcome.

The reception at the Airport

Some girls had the audacity to enter the restaurant where Kirsan was having breakfast with his entourage to ask for his autograph and this was most welcome.

Leaving breakfast! On the left we can see Milton Iturry, President of the Peruvian Chess Federation.

As soon as he left the airport Kirsan received several gifts, including a Cusco chullo and poncho!

Kirsan observing a native Cusco dance.

The whole group then went to the Hotel Casa Andina and it was there that the interview would take place…

Kirsan and the author of this interview at the Hotel Casa Andina which is in the center of the city.

Interview with President of FIDE, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov

1 . What motivated you to come to Peru?

It has been a long time since I have wanted to come and at the invitation of the Peruvian Chess Federation, I accepted, plus the results (with chess) that you are getting in this country are very good. Here in Peru, a large number of very talented chess players have emerged and it is very interesting how chess is developing here.

Last year at the World Youth in Turkey, we saw how two young people from Peru won the Gold Medal (Jorge and Deysi Cori). That is why I came to Peru to see how this work is being done and to provide whatever support is necessary. One of the topics is the Chess Program in Schools, yesterday we were talking with the President of the Peru Sports Institute, in Lima where we have proposed three specific things:

First: One of our proposals as FIDE, is that chess will become a required course in schools.

Second: FIDE has proposed to the Peruvian Sports Institute, to put together seminars that would help coaches in their preparation and,

Third: I have decided to fund the First Latin American Cup with my own money.
To do this, I gave $ 60.000 from my personal funds, to make this championship happen and on August 18, 2010 we (FIDE) we will be present for the opening ceremony of the first Latin American Cup. This is why I am here, to see where this will take place – in Lima or Cusco.

A moment of laughter during the interview!

2 . In the upcoming FIDE elections why should Latin American countries vote for you and not Karpov? Besides, what do you offer that your rival does not?

Karpov has no program, he has only announced that he wants to be president. But, one cannot only have the desire to be president -  one has to propose a program. There are two months left for this election and neither you,  nor I, nor anyone else,  has seen any program from my opponent. That is why we do not take Karpov’s desire to be president as a serious one, but, we see it as a political act.

He is 60 years old and wants prominence again. It is in this way,  along with Kasparov, that he wants to remember what he once was. Even today some 80 countries are supporting me, while Karpov has less than 20.

From left to right: Milton Iturry, Pres of FDPA, Jorge Vega President FIDE America, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov FIDE President, Gregorio Guevara, organizer of the International Tournament San José La Salle and the author of this interview.

3.  Speaking of other Latin American countries… What other countries are you planning to visit in this tour?

Yesterday I was in Bolivia, then I travel to Costa Rica tomorrow and Tuesday I will be in Cuba. In August, I’ll be here again, and then I will visit Trinidad and Tobago. For the latter, I gave $ 40.000 from my personal funds to hold the First Caribbean Chess Cup for the Caribbean countries.

First on the left, Robert Huancahuire key piece in the reception for Kirsan.

4. Why are you investing all this money?

To raise the level of the chess players of Latin America and the Caribbean. Each year I put $ 100,000 for this type of event. Chess players in this area are very talented and after reaching a certain level they have to travel to Europe or Asia to compete. This results in a significant investment that very often the Latin Americans are not in a position to pay.

On the other hand, Europeans do not come here for the prizes that are low, which is also another reason for my contribution for these two events – so that chess players worldwide can come to these countries and compete as well.

It is then, that the level of competition will automatically rise for Latin American chess and chessplayers can get the title of Grandmaster. The level of the children involved in this sport is also going to rise in this part of the world.  The increased level of chess will increase the amount of chess players with high ratings who can then have the opportunity to achieve levels up to the European or Chinese schools so to speak. This is why I am here.

5 . What differences do you see between chess in Russia and chess in Latin America?

The level of development of chess in Russia is much better, there are many champions, there are great teachers, schools, etc., But with these new activities in chess development in these Latin American countries we believe that the level of chess will increase from here to about 10 years.

Kirsan: “The Latin American’s chess level will improve with the programs of Chess in the Schools, the preparation of Coaches and the implementation of major international tournaments. With all of this, it is very possible that future champions can come from Latin America.”

More pictures

Kirsan and Inca Priest at Hotel Casa Andina.

We welcome the support of Burundi, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda!

The National Federations are speaking louder than ever and their voices are being heard!

In a recent interview, our President, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov was asked:

What has been the defining moment in the efforts of FIDE during your presidency?

FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov Response: In this line of work, it’s impossible to categorize efforts as principle or not. When I was elected in 1995, the chess world was experiencing a major financial crisis. FIDE’s prestige was extremely low and we were faced with an utter absence of funds.

The Federation had large debts and I conducted many events at my own expense, including the qualifying matches Xie Jun vs. Zsuzsa Polgar and Anatoly Karpov vs. Gata Kamsky.

In 1998, representatives of 129 countries participated in the World Chess Olympiad in Elista. Now, the whole world is preparing for the Olympic Games in Sochi, but back then, we did everything ourselves. We built an Olympic village and conducted what many consider to be the best Olympiad in the history of chess.

Another defining moment: We were able to unite the worldwide chess community. You might recall that in 1993, when the 13th World Champion left FIDE, the chess world was split in half. I was able to reunite it. As a result, we have a single chess champion, a single organization, we’re recognized by the International Olympics Commission and we have a unified system of tournaments.

By the way, before 1995, FIDE conducted only three official functions a year. Right now, we have eighteen functions slated in our calendar. And now, the worldwide popularization of our game. There are currently 170 national federations in FIDE.

…In conclusion, I would like to appeal to the readers, especially to young parents: teach your children to play chess! As for my part, I promise that FIDE will create a dynamic environment for the development of chess in the 21st century. Read the Full Interview Here (Click Here)

The road we have paved for a successful World Chess Federation will continue to be paved, so that we may do justice to the wonderful game of chess and all that it is meant to inspire.

Our President strives for, “making the most intelligent game on the planet serve the development of positive dialogue between all nations and people.”  This is something Kirsan Ilyumzhinov proves with his positive actions.

We are for a United World Chess!

FIDE President, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov wearing a poncho and chullo (Cusco, Peru) Above Photo Source: Exito y Libertad

On the 10th of July the FIDE President, Head of the Republic of Kalmykia arrived on a working visit to Peru.

In the Lima international airport he was welcomed by numerous chess aficionados led by the President of the National Federation President Dr. Milton Iturri and Vice Governor of the Callao province Mrs. Yaneth Tapua Zamudio.

Immediately after the working meeting took place where the parties with satisfaction noted the successful points of the chess development in the country. It was underlined that at the last World Youth Championships in Turkey in 2009 the Peru team won two gold medals, which is the same achievement with the team of Russia.

The same day Kirsan Ilyumzhinov received a diploma of the Doctor of Honours of the Norbert Wiener University from the rector of the University, Mr. Cezar Lip Licham. Following the tradition, the new Doctor delivered his lecture.

The other meeting of the FIDE President was with the President of the Peru Sports Institute Mr. Arturo Woodman, where possible ways of further cooperation between FIDE and the country were discussed.  The chief official of the Peruvian sport has advised, in respect of the Chess in Schools programme launching, to start with a pilot programme in a certain school, considering their great number in the country (more than 70, 000 ) and difficulties in reaching some of the schools.  In the evening the FIDE President met with the representatives of the Peruvian chess and answered their numerous various questions.