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Kasparov's speech at the Russian Federation Supervisory Board meeting
Written by Administrator
Saturday, 15 May 2010
Video by Oleg Kozyrev
No matter whether you support Ilyumzhinov, Karpov or neither, it's worth taking a look at the passionate speech by the arguably best chess player ever Garry Kasparov. In case you don't know Russian, here is a transcript:
I could answer some questions, but maybe I would rather address a common falsification of facts that is going on in the world. Even though we live in the age of the Internet and other modern technologies, some news spread slowly. There are a few myths in the chess world on which people try to base their ungrounded decisions. The situation itself is somewhat surreal: I and Karpov have clashed at this very building a couple of times, we have always been antagonists. A lot of issues have been sorted out, sometimes everything ended in an ideologic debate, sometimes in "bad peace". It has always been a confrontation. As you might understand, today is a totally different case. I believe this day is very important for Russian chess. The sole fact that there is a dilemma, and it it seriously discussed - Karpov or Ilyumzhinov - seems strange to me. Not because it's a candidate master vs a world champion; but because nowadays in chess and the professional world in general reputation is the key factor. I don't think there is any challenge in determining who is more reputable. It's a disgrace that they are trying to impose the 15-year old (as Ilyumzhinov's reign) mythology on the Russian Chess Federation. The other members of the Supervisory Board (who haven't joined us) are under the impression that the whole world supports Ilyumzhinov. It's a lie. I haven't been in the chess circles for a while, but I visit a lot of countries. I can estimate in what condition the world is. That statement is not true. In fact, the chess world is in a disastrous condition. The leading chess website - ChessBase - has posted a trivia. People had to guess where the 6th Grand Prix stage will take place. Baku, Jermuk, Sochi, Nalchik, Elista, where will the next one be? The answer was Astrakhan, to form a circle on the map. Just think about the names of the cities! (Then some polite remarks aimed at showing he means no offense towards the locations). When we were playing with Karpov, where was it? Moscow, London, New York, Seville, Lyons. And where are we today? It didn't happen just all of a sudden. Chess is not at the circumference because everywhere else it is not taken seriously. And it's not just a problem of world's chess, it's a problem for Russia. When all the world media is showing the FIDE president recalling his meeting with aliens. One can live in the world of hallucinations. But when the future of chess depends on such people... It's obvious that this situation won't change, and everyone understands it in (lists countries). You have been provided with a presentation by Anatoly Evgenievich Karpov with a list of the countries which support him. The chess countries (USA, Germany, England, Spain, Switzerland) are on the list. Also many others (mentions them). Even Ukraine. I.e. the countries which have traditionally been supporting Ilyumzhinov. Just think about it. This support stands for something. Supporting someone at an early stage is a risky step. It's a serious risk to oppose the current President (who has been the head of FIDE for 15 years) at such an early stage of the elections. The situation has changed dramatically. 21 countries already, before the elections, are supporting Karpov. About half of them have been supporting Ilyumzhinov before. Ukraine - it's actually a very uncommon thing. Previously they have been supporting Iyumzhnov vs Bessel Kok, now they have expressed their support for Karpov...Per Anatoly Evgenievich request I have been communicating with many leaders of chess federations and grandmasters. Everyone is afraid of just one myth: that in Khanty-Mansiisk (where the elections will take place - Pogonina.com) everyone will be "buried". Today's meeting will be decisive in the confrontation. People somehow believe that Ilyumzhinov controls everything in Russia. Today we have a chance to show that it is not the truth. Kirsan has no support in the world, all the can rely upon is the so-called "administrative resource". Dvorkovich, Ilyumzhinov, Magomedov? And Karpov? How can one compare them? This discussion is extremely important. It's not only about Russian chess, it's about the future of world chess. These things are interconnected. The agenda which we were supposed to discuss today has some unreal items. Let's talk about the real problems. We can't win 3 Chess Olympiads in a row. I have been brought up in the system of coordinates where 2nd place was a failure. Has something happened? Now people approach it in a different way. For the first time since 1921 (Lasker-Capablanca) no Russian (or Soviet) representative is playing at the WC match. Look at our teeenagers. Karjakin (although he is not a teenager already), and came from Ukraine. Anyway, it's clear that he is not a future world champion due to...(pauses) format. We are on the decline everywhere. That's what we should be discussing. Today we have a great chance to start affecting the process. Not by hiring legionaries from (names countries), but by working with Karpov's strong team. This can be discussed properly. And where is Ilyumzhinov? Why is Kirsan not here? Why is he not telling us about aliens, his connections, banks, Chess City, New Vasiuki? He has nothing to say because 15 years is a lot of time. It has been understood everywhere. The only reason why not everyone has supported Karpov already is that they are afraid and waiting for the decision here. We have to prove that it's not like that. It's a house of cards. A great chess player on one side and a cardsharper on the other. You have the power to change this. If you have any questions on the situation in the world, feel free to ask. I know it pretty well, and have contacted a great number of people during the last two months. I am surprised. I also had the same instincts: everyone in Africa and the Carribean region is bribed; and then you start talking to people and see that people have understood everything. They are contacted once in 4 years, and then forgot about. They want changes, they want to see grandmasters, some programs. Campomanes (although we had many controversies with him), at least tried to do something. Not much, but now nothing is being done at all. This situation can be changed, because the potential of chess is absolutely incredible. Modern technologies would allow create chess communities on the Internet, but nothing of that type has been done. Once again, we're faced with some sort of delirium: David Kaplan is going to teach us how to live. We have got more professional experience. And the reaction from the federations that have already supported Karpov show us that it is the right moment, people are ready for a change. Any questions?
White has a few winning moves, but one of them is especially efficient and effective. Please note that this game was played in blindfold chess, so Anand had to figure this all out without seeing the pieces.
It's time for the weekly Q&As! Feel free to send me new ones:
Q1: What is your favorite opening?
A1: Historically it has been the Dragon, which I have been playing for years. However, if you employ only one opening, it's very easy for the opponent to prepare for the game against you and obtain a preferable position as White. Therefore, currently I have a larger variety of openings for Black.
Q2: How do I create a plan? A2: This question is almost as general as "how do I play chess well?". One should feel the position and its main factors (material, open lines, king safety, weak and strong squares, etc.). Understanding what is really important is an indicator of mastery. To give a simple example, if you are having the opponent's king mated, you may forget about material (e.g. sacrifice a queen). And in a quiet ending one may be happy to create a passed pawn, slowly improve the position of one piece, etc. By estimating the priority of the factors one can choose what plan to implement. It's not possible to compose a table "when to care about what", one should consider each position individually.
Q3: How to look for a move? How do you understand when to play for a win, or where a draw is enough?
A3: First of all, it depends on the tournament situation. Sometimes only a win suits you, so you have to take chances in drawn positions, try to somehow outplay or trick your opponent. In the general case White is supposed to have some advantage from the opening. Then, during the game, one compares his own play to that of his/her opponent. If you are playing equally well, White will still have a small edge. If your opponent makes a mistake, you are supposed to be better. And so on. With Black you start with a small disadvantage. If things go well, you may at some point feel that the position became equal (if your opponent didn't play that well), or you are even better (if he blundered).
Q4: You have had great success in your chess career and have probably set goals along the way. What are your current chess goals? A4: This year my main priority is to show good results at the Women World Championship, Chess Olympiad, Women Blitz Championship and at some other events. Also, I need to improve by playing against strong male grandmasters, and finally score the GM norms to get rid of the W in my title.
Q5: On what does my initial FIDE rating depend? A5: This is the official article on this issue at the FIDE Handbook. Briefly, it depends on the rating of your opponents and your score against them.
Q6: Who are the favorites at US Chess Championship? A6: The clear favorite is Nakamura, but Kamsky and Onischuk are very formidable too. One also can't forget about Shulman and Akobian, as well as some experienced players and chess prodigies. If I was to pick one, I'd say it's Hikaru.
Q7: What do you think about the results of Anand-Topalov? A7: It's been a great match, one of the most exciting ones in the history of chess. Anand proved that he can play extremely well and stable. Topalov also deserves praise for his fighting spirit and play. However, I believe the home turf has served him badly: he was so motivated to win the last game that he has virtually committed a chess suicide instead of taking the draw. Also, it's very strange that Veselin (according to his interview) didn't pay any attention to rapid and blitz training. In modern chess that's a must.
Karpov-Ilyumzhinov scandal at Russian Chess Federation
Written by Administrator
Friday, 14 May 2010
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 (who was not present at any of the meetings) 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 Ethics 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!
Kasparov: ...Ivanchuk...and you (refers to some other player)
Razuvaev: Yes...
Kasparov: And maybe Aronian is close
Razuvaev: he's amateurish...
Kasparov: Yes, but still...And all the rest, including Topalov, are on a different level...lower
Razuvaev: Yes...
Kasparov: A totally different field...very good, but it's not the top league
Razuvaev: Yes, but I value Gelfand way above Topalov...
Kasparov: Yes, Borya is above Topalov, but not at the top
Razuvaev: Nonetheless, he's better...
Then Kasparov is asked for whom he was rooting at the WC. Garry said that Anand has been his favorite, he has deserved the right to be called the 15th World Champion, and his reign would be more beneficial for chess.
Alexander Nikitin (Kasparov's coach and co-author) on Anand-Topalov and Kramnik's chances
Nikitin says Anand deserved the win against Topalov; Carlsen is a likely candidate to become the new WC; Kramnik's era has passed (and other venomous remarks); Russia currently doesn't have any world champion-potential players
Another incredible win by the World Champion. I am pretty sure no modern engine will find the line Anand played. Can you?
The whole game can be viewed here.
To mark Anand's achievements, this week we will be publishing tactics from some of the most incredible games played by Vishy. Luckily, there are plenty of those. Many moves of Anand are so deep they escape the vision of chess engines.
Can you see how the current World Champion put terrible pressure on GM Bologan in this position? The whole game can be viewed here.
