From being one of many most interesting gamers on this planet, five-time world champion nonetheless, Viswanathan Anand would embark on his new function as Fide vice-president after Arkady Dvorkovich was re-elected as president for a second time period. In the elections held right here, Dvorkovich pipped Andrii Baryshpolets, a Ukrainian Grandmaster, by a landslide scoreline of 157-16 votes. A 3rd candidate, French Bachar Kouatly, withdrew his candidature after giving his speech, earlier than voting started.
Moments after the outcomes got here out, Anand tweeted: “For me, chess is part of who I’m. As a chess participant, I’ve been lucky to see the sport remodel from a distinct segment recreation to a mass sport. I’m now blissful to be a part of the Dvorkovich staff as we attempt to proceed to make that optimistic change.”
Before he started his innings, Anand had detailed to The Indian Express his imaginative and prescient when he assumed the function. “I would like to expand our geographical footprint and continue to work to get more youngsters into the game – that’s crucial for the long-term growth of the game. We must continue to promote chess in India because it’s an important market and important country. Lots of people here play the game but it can expand much more. These are the areas I’ll focus on, but I think Fide is already in the right direction in this area, which is why it’ll be easy for me to fit in,” he had mentioned.
The swap from chessboard to board politics means Anand’s taking part in days are actually over. The election was one of many causes he did not play within the Olympiad. “Compared to 3 or 4 years again, I’ve lower down on my time as an lively chess participant. I’ve lengthy aspirated to come back into chess administration and this chance as deputy president might be an enormous studying curve for me,” Anand had mentioned earlier than the polls.
Inconsistent statements
Whereas his candidature was non-controversial, that of Dvorkovich was not. As the conflict in Ukraine escalated, he continued to dilly-dally. To American journal Mother Jones, he mentioned: “Wars are the worst issues one would possibly face in life… together with this conflict. My ideas are with Ukrainian civilians. Wars don’t simply kill priceless lives. Wars kill hopes and aspirations, freeze or destroy relationships and connections,” he had mentioned.
Then in an obvious U-turn, after threats and criticism from pro-Vladimir Putin officers, Dvorkovich modified his tune and was quoted in The Times as saying that “the war against Ukraine was a campaign against fascism.” I, like all post-war youngsters, was introduced up on patriotism… and hatred of Nazism. I’m sincerely pleased with the braveness of our troopers, who always defended their homeland and freedom,” he was quoted as saying.
However, Dvorkovich reiterated that he would proceed to dispense his duties with integrity. “Yes, I am Russian, and I have served the people of my country, including the Russian chess community as Chairman of the Board of the Russian Chess Federation, but have been trying to do my job professionally and with the highest possible level of integrity ,” he mentioned throughout his speech earlier than voting.
The 50-year-old emphasised that he would proceed to help Ukraine’s trigger. “I took a robust place on the tragic occasions in Ukraine in addition to supported Fide Council choices concerning cutting down Russia’s involvement in Fide. Moreover, whereas abandoning Russian companions, we’ve been capable of finding new ones across the globe, arrange this Chess Olympiad [in India] and guarantee monetary stability for Fide. It is much from straightforward for me personally, however I hope that chess can re-unite folks once more,” he mentioned.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
