Currently I like the approach the Turkish boss Yazici has…he has recognised and respected the power of African countries voting as a bloc. He recognises these countries need to be supported. And this support will be reciprocated. Some guy like McClain will then claim that this reciprocation is an example of African countries being bought. What bunk.

One-federation one-vote is the way it should be. In fact, it may work against Ilymzhinov this time. He has not done much of anything for smaller federations. FIDE didn’t even post a letter giving support to Haiti after the devastating earthquake. The “small vote” will certainly be divided this time. Is democracy fair or not?

Kok didn’t win the last election for a number of reasons, but it was not his qualifications. Part of it was the team he put in place. They did not have a cogent plan and as a challenger, you have to show how things will be significantly better. Kok primarily focused on the professional ranks and perhaps the majority of the nations got lost.

It is the false notion that African and Asian nations are easily bought and will go to the highest bidder. That’s inaccurate assumption and McClain is not showing a grasp of the facts.

KORSUN: Here I would like to ask a few questions about the Chess Federation. But first I want you to listen to a tape we recorded yesterday. Perhaps his mantra will be repeated in the coming election.

KIRSAN ILYUMZHINOV’S Voice: Karpov belongs to the golden age of chess when the greatest chess players Tigran Petrosyan, Boris Spassky, Bobby Fisher were playing and championed top titles. World Champion Anatoly Karpov also belongs to this pleiad of the outstanding chess players of the world. His personality is well manifested in his intensive public activities. He is very energetic and travels a lot. He is ever moving forth not only in chess.

KORSUN: That was Kirsan Ilyumzhinov speaking. With support from the Federation are you ready to stand for elections of FIDE President against Ilyumzhinov in May?

KARPOV: I was moving in that direction actually. Some National Federations offered me extensive support if I stand for elections (the most persistent were the Chess Federations of the United States and France). They call for changes because of the complicated processes that now take place in the World of Chess. And we lose some tournaments, some really good tournaments. I am very much disappointed with the existing system of the World Championship.

But in a certain moment I was rather busy in the Public Chamber of Russia and in other spheres. And I decided to wait and to see. Well I hope things will get better in Chess. I assume that in response to chess players? requests Kirsan is considering return to the conventional system of World Championships. Indeed the system we’ve experienced over the last 14 years is by far not ideal, though probably the ideal system merely doesn’t exist at all.

KORSUN: OK if I’ve got you right you refuse to officially stand for the elections of FIDE’s President in May. Is that so?

KARPOV: Yes, I finally refused? Let me remember ? it was at the end of January. On January 29th I participated in the Coordinating meeting of European countries. I mean leading European countries. Americans didn’t participate. But we failed to find common ground with the European candidate. So today there are only two candidates, Ilyumzhinov and the representative of Holland and Belgium, Bessel Kok, sometime ago he was the Director of Grand Master Association (GMA), but now I think?

KORSUN: Whom would you vote for?

KARPOV: Well I personally think that Ilyumzhinov’s chances for success are close to 100% today. The major reason is that Bessel Kok only looks at chess from the point of view of the professional chess players. But Chess Federation incorporates much more than this. And professional chess is only tiny part of entire range of events and activities which take place the World of Chess.

We yet have to wait and see how the situation will develop. Certainly Ilyumzhinov will have to pay attention to demands of professional chess players. As far as I know the agreement for match between Kramnik and Topalov has already been signed. This is a part of Ilyumzhinov’s election programme and a response to the professional chess players demands.

Full Interview: http://www.chessfidelity.com/elections.php?txt_id=75