“Chess needs peace, not confrontation”: how Russia reacted to the re-election of Dvorkovich to the post of FIDE President

Arkady Dvorkovich was re-elected as president of the organization during the general assembly of the International Chess Federation in Chennai, India.

If this event happened in any other year, then many would probably not pay attention to it.

However, in today's realities, the retention of a Russian position in FIDE is a good sign.

Dvorkovich's only rival in the elections was Andriy Barishpolets, a Ukrainian.

Belarusian Inalbek Sheripov withdrew the day before for health reasons, and Frenchman Bahar Kuatli announced his refusal to run directly during the General Assembly.

Thus, the delegates faced a fairly serious choice between two completely different ways of developing chess in the next four years.

And according to grandmaster Sergei Shipov, they chose peace instead of further confrontation.

“The results of the elections are very positive, because Arkady Dvorkovich is an experienced, seasoned organizer and functionary, popularizer of chess.

He knows his job perfectly, so the sport will develop in all countries of the world.

In this case, he has a convincing, overwhelming majority of votes, and he was provided by states that are not involved in the conflict over Ukraine.

It is easy to guess that for 16 votes they supported Dvorkovich's opponent, who built his game exclusively on political slogans and Russophobia.

But the rest of the world is much larger than the NATO countries and those adjacent to them.

Obviously, they need a positive chess agenda, not a confrontation.

That is, the Peace Party turned out to be much more massive, and they won.

In this regard, the results are encouraging, ”Shipov said in an interview with RT.

The grandmaster also admitted that he did not expect such a majority of Dvorkovich's votes: 157 delegates supported the Russian, and only 16 supported the Ukrainian. According to the specialist, Barishpolets could win solely because of his nationality.

“I had fears that Dvorkovich would not be elected.

In the end, the Ukrainian group won the Eurovision, which cannot sing.

Flag colors were stronger than all other factors.

I was afraid that the situation would repeat itself in chess.

But the key to success was the fact that not only and not so much Europe takes part in the FIDE elections, but the whole huge world, ”admitted the interlocutor of RT.

However, it is necessary to note the important strategic actions of Dvorkovich, which allowed him to achieve the support of the majority.

First of all, the opinion of the delegates was influenced by the fact that the XV world champion Viswanathan Anand, who enjoys incredible authority in the chess world, entered the Russian team.

The Indian has established himself as a benevolent person with an impeccable reputation.

According to Shipov, it is on such people that the FIDE President should rely in the future.

“For all chess players in the world, Anand is simply a god.

In addition, this is a non-conflict person, he has never been involved in politics.

On such people who can unite, not destroy, due to their life positions, and you need to bet, ”said the grandmaster.

Andrey Filatov, head of the FSR, also positively assessed the results of the FIDE elections.

In his opinion, this proves that Russia is not in isolation.

The Kremlin also noted the importance of Dvorkovich's victory.

“Politics, of course, unfortunately, pervades all aspects related to sports, culture, which is very, very undesirable and unacceptable for us.

But this does not mean that we should not fight, we must fight and also win in the competition, ”RIA Novosti quotes the press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov.

However, according to grandmaster Sergey Karyakin, one should not expect any sharp steps from Dvorkovich after the re-election in favor of the Russians.

The chess player drew such conclusions based on the events of recent months.

“The head of FIDE will not risk anything for us, expose himself to a blow.

It is clear that he will adhere to European policy.

When they suspended the Russian team from the World Chess Olympiad, when they suspended me, he did not react to it in any way.

Therefore, I don't think that FIDE's policy will change.

Although, of course, this is an issue in which I would like to see some changes, ”said Karyakin.

At the same time, there is an opinion that such a policy of Dvorkovich, among other things, was caused by the next elections.

If the official had not made concessions to the IOC and disqualified Sergei, his position in the organization would have been much more precarious.

Now the official has the opportunity to reshuffle FIDE and form a more liberal team.

“As for the development of Russian chess, a lot depends on how strong and firm the ground under Dvorkovich’s feet will be now and how determined he himself will be.

It is necessary to return Russian chess players to the international arena, to show political will.

But this is something that should not be done in a hurry.

It requires political elaboration and consensus within FIDE.

The previous five months have passed under the sign of the triumph of Russophobia.

To change the situation, you need to update the command.

And most importantly, what Dovorkovich, in my opinion, should do now, get rid of people who have reached unprecedented heights in the field of Russophobia, ”concluded Shipov.