FIDE Elections 2006. Photos by Daaim Shabazz.

Election Day for FIDE Presidency

Two tickets will vie for the FIDE Presidency today as more than 150 federations will cast their votes. Chess Fidelity, led by incumbent Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and The Right Move, led by Bessel Kok have culminated several months of bitter campaigning to find out how many federations will support their tickets on today.

There is a lot of speculation about where a good many federations stand and both camps are making claims of loyalty from the general body, but when the ballots are cast we will enter a new era in international chess. This election hopes to usher in a unified cycle, professional tournaments and more development in countries with small federations. Regardless of what one says about this election, it will benefit chess in ways that be imagined. The idea that there was a display of contrasting viewpoints made the process just as  important as the outcome.


Let us hope for a strong FIDE!

Posted by The Chess Drum: 2 June 2006