– What important, fundamental decisions were made at the Congress, besides the direct election of the President of the FSR?
– The leadership team was confirmed and several key roles were reaffirmed. The Supervisory Board and vice-chairs saw changes: Anatoly Karpov stepped down from a vice-chair position but remained connected to the federation as honorary chairman, while Sergey Smagin took on a vice-chair role. The federation remains committed to advancing chess across the country, using the established governance framework.
– Your election opponent, Sergei Karyakin, spoke quite harshly about the Federation and many of its members. How did you take this, and did it affect your personal attitude toward Sergey?
– The Federation operates strictly according to its statutes. It has a president, a Supervisory Board, and vice-presidents. Bypassing the charter is not an option, and the Justice Department would intervene if necessary. So, insinuations that the Federation is chasing petitions or surveillance are unfounded because there is a clear legal basis for every action.
There are many people with their own viewpoints, but the federation oversees a vast community of more than 400,000 ranked players. Individual opinions cannot dictate national policy or the federation’s direction.
As for the leading players, most did not have complete information to form final judgments. The president respects Sergey’s stance and regards him as a strong, active citizen who plays a valuable civic role.
– Please tell us about the elections themselves. Was there any excitement about competition?
– The elections were competitive and lively, characterized by diverse opinions and robust dialogue. The chess community placed its trust in the president, and he was elected for a third term. The competition with Sergey Karyakin drew significant attention and, in hindsight, helped elevate the congress’s profile.
– In light of Karjakin’s active involvement in social issues, how do you assess his future as a player? Is there a path back to his former peak?
“He possesses immense talent. If he preserves it and channels his energy wisely, medals, titles, and crowns could come again for the country. He is exploring multiple avenues, including coaching and broader roles, but balancing these pursuits is challenging. His peak performance age is still within reach if focus returns.”
– External pressures have forced many athletes to rethink national allegiance. Has this impacted the Russian Chess Federation?
– In principle, the federation favors staying with one sport and one citizenship. The exact conditions of any changes are difficult to gauge, and it is not the federation’s role to judge individual cases. The federation respects personal choices but remains steadfast in its stance on national representation.
This is a personal subject, yet there has been no report of any member of the national team changing citizenship or receiving such offers. The current focus remains on international events where the best players continue to represent Russia. In Kazakhstan, top players will compete in speed and blitz championships, aiming to win medals for the country and satisfy chess fans. The federation recognizes the value of players who have changed nationality through personal circumstances, such as marriage, but the core group remains Russian citizens at the national level. It is nearly impossible to predict the exact moves of more than 430,000 players who participate at the national level.
— The federation plans to strengthen several internal projects with support from the International Chess Federation, led by a prominent figure in the chess world. How is the current cooperation between the Russian Chess Federation and FIDE under the leadership in place?
– The collaboration operates smoothly. It is worth noting that FIDE remains among the few sports bodies that allow athletes and youth to compete in European and world championships. They compete under the FIDE banner, yet local fans enjoy and celebrate chess here at home.
– Russian sports face international bans, and many federations resist IOC guidance while still permitting participation. When might the situation shift in favor of Russian athletes?
– Each organization should carry out its responsibilities. The federation continues its work with a clear plan: first, to engage the Asya family, and then to map out the steps for competing with national symbols and recognition. The priority is to ensure chess remains accessible to children, veterans, and disabled players without discrimination, while safeguarding the national team’s interests. The federation aims to restore full representation under the national flag in due course.
– Finally, a lighter note. World Cup events draw interest even when Russian players are not involved. What are the expectations for the final?
The French team holds the title, and Messi deserves collective recognition for his achievements. The goal is to enjoy the performance and hope for a dramatic finish with penalties, so the result feels earned and memorable. The overall sentiment is to savor a competitive, entertaining finale that honors true sporting excellence.