Hobby is serious business for the FIDE boss

HE is young. He has a dream. What more, he has the time and resources to realise it. In April 1993, as a 31-year-old, Kirsan Ilyumjinov became the first President of the Republic of Kalmykia. Winner of Peace Gold Medal for Humanitarian Activities, Ilyumjinov heads over 50 companies and banks in the erstwhile Soviet Union and outside. But it was his passion for chess that has given him far more recognition worldwide.

Obviously an influential and powerful man, Ilyumjinov chose the best way to remain close to his first love. In 1994, he took over as the President of International Chess Federation, known as FIDE, and then brought about changes that have been quite revolutionary.

He did away with the long-winding Candidates cycle as part of the process to find the challenger for the World Champion, spoke of bringing in more attention to the women's game and what more, managed to get the International Olympic Committee to recognise FIDE as the governing body of sport. Efforts to get chess included in the Olympic Games got a new direction under his second tenure.

But what makes Ilyumjinov's contribution truly remarkable is the fact that he spends his personal wealth to promote the game. He is believed to have spent millions of dollars already and in the World Chess Championship his contribution is nearly four million dollars!

``I love chess, it is my hobby, not duty,'' says the 38-year-old Ilyumjinov who, after Army service, entered the Japan Studies at the MGIMO before managing the Soviet-Japanese company. ``If it was my job, then I would not have spent so much money. Some people collect diamonds, some collect paintings, some people collect Rolls Royce, and I collect chess champions...'' says the man laughing.

Still, spending so much is clearly not funny. There are industrialists and big businessmen who head federations even in this country. But how many care to spend their money or time to promote the discipline they pretend to love?

Ilyumjinov, once the Chairman of Russian Chamber of Industrialists and presently the vice-chairman, Committee of Foreign Policy of Russian Senate, comes across as a true chess lover who does not believe in standing on ceremonies or insisting that protocol be maintained in respect to his status of being a Head of a Republic.

``Sticking to protocol becomes a problem for the organisers. You see, in the past year, I visited over 50 countries and never once talked about protocol. Perhaps, once I become 50 or 60 years old, then perhaps, I'll think about insisting on protocol,'' he says candidly.

On the present state of chess, Ilyumjinov believes that there is, and will be, only one World Championship. ``We are recognised by the IOC and we are the ones holding the World Championship,'' he says, meaning FIDE has nothing to do with ``private'' matches like the one held between Gary Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik recently.

``Our doors are open for everybody. If Kasparov wants to play in our championship, he is welcome. We are a federation responsible for millions of chess players and chess lovers. Ours is a big, friendly family,'' says the FIDE President.

On the subject of India hosting the World Championship, Ilyumjinov said, ``India is the motherland of chess. I like India and it is very close to me. Secondly, we are buddhist and Kalmykia is the only Buddhist country in Europe. When I was small, I had read a lot about Indian legends. Thirdly, my name (Kirsan is a Russian name) literally translated in English means `Lotus'. Seven years ago when I was elected President of Kalmykia, I changed our flag and now in the middle of it, you'll find a lotus. I know that lotus is a very sacred flower in your country as well. I have always felt that I share a very special bond with India.'' The President also sponsors a few students every year from his country to study in India.

Further, Ilyumjinov said, ``India is a country with huge population. Viswanathan Anand has helped chess in a big way in this part of the world. We never had the World Championship in Asia so it is my way of helping India, I see it as a big opportunity to help popularise chess in India.''

On the wisdom behind holding the men's and women's championships concurrently, Ilyumjinov said that no big attention was given to the women's world championship when held separately. ``I don't think any other sport can boast of having a field of 161 top men and women players in a world championship under one roof,'' he wondered.

However, on the lack of publicity for the World Championship, the FIDE President said, ``I also criticise the Organising Committee. It was their job. I think, I should be a little more strict with the members,'' said Ilyumjinov and added that raising the profile of the game remains on top of his list of priorities.

``It is a big job for me. I will be working with other members on the possibility of making the sport more attractive. One of the items on our agenda during the Presidential Board Meeting (on December 14) is to reduce the time-limit (from the present two hours for 40 moves). We shall hear all parties before taking a decision.''

Whether Ilyumjinov's revolutionary ideas get the approval of the players' representatives or not, one thing is certain. Here is a man for whom, his hobby is a serious business. The world of sport can sure make do with more such patrons.

RAKESH RAO

New Delhi

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