Ireland also got in on the action being told they couldn’t vote due to some obscure administrative ambiguity. Soon resolved thankfully.

The voting got under way about an hour late resulting in a win and four more years of the Kirsan presidency. For a detailed breakdown of the day www.chessvibes.com is worth reading.

  The night before the elections our mate Garry Kasparov visited us at the Olympic again. I was sitting with Eamon and Colm and I asked Colm if he wanted me to take his picture with Garry. Great he says and asked Eamon to also make a short film on a little video camera he has. Eamon made a short recording of the pair and handed the camera back to Colm who excitedly replayed it.

A look of horror quickly spread across his face as he was confronted with a 2 minute recording of Eamon’s face who inadvertently had held the camera backwards!

I’m back in the press centre now where shortly we will be hearing from Kirsan and Karpov. I wonder if they’ll kiss and make up. There’s bound to be some fun so I’m sticking around after all ‘I’ am President of the Peruvian Chess Federation!

Sent from my iPhone

The press conference was a bit of a lame duck. No fights. No controversy but only mutual respect and admiration of both candidates. They could have at least danced.

I retired to the cafe via the press centre tea room which has free coffee and biscuits but no chairs. So I have the best of both worlds. This is a regular thing for me and I’m absolutely sure that the cafe staff secretly cluck to themselves about me behind my back.

The cafe have set such ridiculous prices here. I don’t mean expensive but stupid pricing giving themselves a change nightmare. For example chicken and pasta or potatoes is 105 roubles (about €2.25) who the feck has 5 roubles?! 

I’ve seen only one of these rare coins and I’ve been here for two weeks!! And all their prices are like this. This leaves the staff constantly trying to explain to their diners ‘we have no change’ in about 47 million different languages. This is an Olympiad!! At least think about these things in advance.

We met Karpov earlier this evening at his hotel who was in jovial spirits or maybe the spirits were in him, this is Russia after all. Elizabeth and Nicola had a chat with him and then he retired and was clearly tired.

The Bulgarians are having a bit of a shindig tonight so Eamon and Una have gone off there. It’s ok Herbert Una has a rest day tomorrow!!  She also has about a million balloons to blow up for the Irish party soon.

I heard in the cafe earlier two people talking about the Irish party and they were both saying how much they were looking forward to it which made me glow. Complete strangers, I just carried on drinking my free coffee winking to a tutting waitress.

 
You see Khanty Mansysk has very few licensed premises so the stimulation of a new place is hard to come by. I’ve only found about 27 bars so far but most people don’t step foot out of the Olympic hotel.
More of my ramblings later in which I will enlighten you of a new game I have – Russian bus roulette. It’s great when you are bored

Paca (see you later – Russian style)
Gary

The temperature inside was like being led in to an oven on gas mark 4. Or am I just getting old? I didn’t stay too long preferring the cool climate of the less than busy Olympic hotel bar.

I had just the one amusing Incident with Alex Lopez who couldn’t get in, however Kirsan was just leaving so seeing the situation for what it was (one in one out) I grabbed Kirsan and politely asked if he could get my friend in. Not being acquainted with the club’s security policy he wasn’t in a position to help. He was a good sport and saw it as a good photo opportunity. Alex meanwhile head in hands got in moments later.

Now the good news is FIDE have very kindly offered their help with the Irish party and will be supplying the transport totally free. They will all surely go to Heaven. Next Friday will be an interesting event as we may or may not have a new President who I will insist come along. Don’t they know who I am?

The Election campaigning is picking up in pace. (It has finished now with the winner being Kirsan (Simon).

Karpov is having a party tomorrow with free beer apparently so I’m trying to do some valid research to get in on this. My good friend from Zambia is also keen to lend his support. He is very proud of his ladies team who are currently the leading African side. Well done girls. 
There is no real controversy to get my teeth in to here. So far that is and someone has to crack soon!

News just in those Ireland ladies have just won against Seychelles 4-0. Woo Hoo. Mines a Guinness!

To give you a short synopsis of their campaigning here are their respective quotes

I have left in any grammatical mistakes so don’t blame me.

 Karpov’s Campaign Leaflet

Why Karpov and why not Kirsan?

Karpov On Karpov.

Anatoly Karpov, the 12th world champion, has dedicated his life to chess and is living legend around the world.

Can give chess and FIDE a new start by returning power to the federations, maitaining “one federation one vote”, and putting professionals in charge of business and management.

Will eliminate all federation fees and build commercial sponsorship.

A $4 million dollar development package to promote the game and create sponsorship, especially in the Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

Has assembled a strong ticket and a remarkable board of advisors that includes top executives, financial experts, and diplomats.

Will put chess back on the map with events in global capitals and up-and-coming regions where they will get the attention they deserve.

UNICEF Ambassador with broad experience in program development.

Launched dozens of chess schools around the world.

Karpov on Kirsan

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov called chess his “hobby”. He was recently pressured out as president of Kalmykia.

15 years of broken promises. Failed commercial products, cancelled and postponed events, unhappy players, and a development program that uses money for political influence.

Never developed a business model. Federations that receive FIDE aid pay even more in fees.

A personal reputation that has caused humiliation for chess and made serious commercial sponsorship impossible. In the news for scandals, outrageous statements, and meetings with aliens.

No growth in key areas of scholastic chess, the internet, and big events are held in places with no attention.

Contract with CNC company gives away FIDE’s commercial rights to an group that may include Ilyumzhinov and/or his board members.

His ticket is the same group that has done so much damage for so long. It is time for a fresh start.

OK me again. If you’re still with me I’ll give you a bit from Kirsan’s campaign. He has produced a much larger publication, a glossy mag with a photo of Kirsan kneeling down in a field clutching a red tulip. He has a very caring and empathetic look on his face. It’s so sweet!!

So Kirsan on Kirsan

President of World Chess Federation since 1995.

Sponsor and/or Organiser of Major Chess Events.

Organized 6 Russian Championships and 8 Russian Women’s Championships.

Following elections in Torino 2006, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, invited the opposition to unite and work as one team with the people who had supported him in the elections. This spirit of unity has resulted in not only in a mobilized and productive chess community with full involvement of Federations, players, organizers, arbiters, and trainers but also a unified world title and an undisputed World Champion.

Decentralization of FIDE will continue with major activities and development programs in all continents.

An agreement was signed in late 2009 with Chess Lane to set up Chess Network Corporation (CNC) to formulate a strategy and propose and realize various projects in order to attract sponsorship.

We will review all the Chess in Schools programs available around the world, to develop a FIDE master program of training in pre schools, primary and secondary levels.

Kirsan on Karpov

This is me again. Surprisingly he doesn’t actually say much about Karpov but here is what I have.

Personally I respect him. He is a chess player whose name will be part of chess history. Because of this I have always supported him and even sponsored some of his competitions, including those for the chess crown, total value of aponsorship exceeding $1 million dolllars. I’m aware that he and the 13th World Champion Garry Kasparov were touring Latin America where these chess grandmasters participated in simultaneous exhibitions. I commend this initiative, especially if they’re not charging money for these matches.

* * *

At the moment the declared voting stands at 90 versus 20 in favour of Kirsan can Karpov possibly win? I’ll keep you posted.

Well let me indulge you with yet another gem of wisdom from my vast archive of useless and possibly incorrect information.

The buffalo theory comes from the indigenous Indians of North America. They would follow a herd of buffalo across the vast plains of America and this herd would provide for the tribe’s needs such as food and clothing etc. They would hunt the buffalo and generally pick the weakest or oldest of the herd. As as a result the herd would grow stronger.

Now it’s the same with the brain. Alcohol destroys brain cells but the weakest go first thus ensuring your brain gets stronger. The more you drink the more intelligent you become. This however maybe complete crap!

News of Eamon’s arrival soon went round, a getting colder, Khanty Mansysk,  so shortly to follow him in to the bar to join us for around 40 mins was the legendary Garry Kasparov. A very nice chap indeed.
Just another little titbit for any of you taking notes. This Olympiad cost around 12 million dollars to put on. Wow!! It would take me a whole week to earn that. I wish!

So what’s be going on then? We finished the rum punch for the Bermuda party but I think there was more on the floor than the kegs. Tastes good though.

The Bermuda party is tonight and as always promises to be a great bash. It’s 400 roubles entry for men (first two drinks free) and free entry for the ladies.

The Irish party preparations are going well. I have annoyed the venue quite enough now and can’t ask for more without being roughly escorted from the premises. It’s going to be a big one!!!

One of my favourite teams here is the Uganda women’s team.  Marvellous girls.  I always get them a few drinks. All they do is smile and laugh all day long. No good at chess though.  Don’t tell them I said that.

Another favourite is another African team who want me to go with them to another bar up the road towards the Seven Hills Hotel but without being too explicit I believe this bar has a number of ladies of negotiable affections. In true reporter style I make my excuses etc.

It’s an early night for me, for a change, so until tomorrow.

Das Va Danya

Sent from my iPhone

This also coincided with a phone call at midnight yesterday that was reminding me to feed Gary’s fish. It was only then I realised it was 5am Khanty-Mansiysk time! And by the sounds of it the bar was still pretty busy!

I spent the last evening with Larry Evans and the Bermuda team so a little shaky this morning. They brought with them some rum which was 70% it really blows your head off. I then went back to the Olympic hotel around midnight to a still packed bar!! Marvellous!!

Can’t tell you much about the chess yesterday as even as a spectator and with a press pass you can’t see the games. The best way to watch is on the Internet.
What I can tell you about the chess venue is that it’s like a sauna in there. I know we’re in Siberia but it’s not that cold. Around 10 degrees. It cools down a bit later as the games start finishing and people leave but at the start with a packed hall it’s a kashmar (nightmare in Russian)

Karpov got his stand up today at last and was at the venue briefly for some photos. Kirsan on the other hand has made a much bigger effort by giving out computer use and also was in attendance substantially longer talking to everyone

I’m now at the Seven Hills Hotel again with Larry (a very bad influence) who is quite please with himself as he has been here for 3 days now and hasn’t been arrested! That will probably change on Saturday when the legendary Bermuda party takes place. We’re both off to the venue soon to make the Punch.
See you soon.

Sent from my iPhone

We have our own reporter who has already been out there for a couple of days. He is running out of places to drink and people to see, so all you players who are heading that way, hurry up and get over there!

Bottom Board Man’s report from day two of his adventures can be viewed below…

I got my pass today. Unbelievable – access ALL areas including the VIP area.

Are they mad? Don’t they know who I am? I feel like a real chess groupie now. I think it’s mandatory as a groupie to smash up my hotel room isn’t it?

I’ll leave it for now though as hotel accommodation is a bit tight here right now and it’s a little too cold to be a chess tramp.

I met up with Pavel Sirotkin, a smashing bloke who organises the annual Voronezh Chess Festival every June. He is one of the seventy arbiters officiating at this event. I like Pavel very much as he introduced me to a very secret bar come restaurant very near to the playing arena. It’s awfully cheap which could lead me in to serious trouble.

On arrival at the tournament venue you are greeted with the usual strict Russian security and pass through the metal detectors. Naturally I set them off but it seems they are just there for show and to make random beeping noises for effect as I wasn’t even escorted out to be shot forthwith.

In the lobby before moving on to the playing area Uncle Kirsan has a stand up declaring his love for almost everyone in the world of chess. He has also arranged for lots of internet connected computers for all to use for free. Sadly today they weren’t working so I still have to report back on my iPhone. Same story in the press centre.

The playing area is truly vast and certainly impressive. There are two halls accommodating the over 300 teams partaking. Each and every board is connected to the Internet so online viewers can pick any match they like to watch online.

I’ve also now got my tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies which promise to be spectacular events in themselves. So everything is ready, set, tested all we need is some chess players. Hurry up people I’m getting bored!

Sent from my iPhone

More blurry photos from Khanty-Mansiysk below…

It looks like such an inviting place!!!!!

We have our own reporter who has already been out there for a couple of days. He is running out of places to drink and people to see, so all you players who are heading that way, hurry up and get over there!

Bottom Board Man’s report from day two of his adventures can be viewed below…

I got my pass today. Unbelievable – access ALL areas including the VIP area.

Are they mad? Don’t they know who I am? I feel like a real chess groupie now. I think it’s mandatory as a groupie to smash up my hotel room isn’t it?

I’ll leave it for now though as hotel accommodation is a bit tight here right now and it’s a little too cold to be a chess tramp.

I met up with Pavel Sirotkin, a smashing bloke who organises the annual Voronezh Chess Festival every June. He is one of the seventy arbiters officiating at this event. I like Pavel very much as he introduced me to a very secret bar come restaurant very near to the playing arena. It’s awfully cheap which could lead me in to serious trouble.

On arrival at the tournament venue you are greeted with the usual strict Russian security and pass through the metal detectors. Naturally I set them off but it seems they are just there for show and to make random beeping noises for effect as I wasn’t even escorted out to be shot forthwith.

In the lobby before moving on to the playing area Uncle Kirsan has a stand up declaring his love for almost everyone in the world of chess. He has also arranged for lots of internet connected computers for all to use for free. Sadly today they weren’t working so I still have to report back on my iPhone. Same story in the press centre.

The playing area is truly vast and certainly impressive. There are two halls accommodating the over 300 teams partaking. Each and every board is connected to the Internet so online viewers can pick any match they like to watch online.

I’ve also now got my tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies which promise to be spectacular events in themselves. So everything is ready, set, tested all we need is some chess players. Hurry up people I’m getting bored!

Sent from my iPhone

More blurry photos from Khanty-Mansiysk below…

It looks like such an inviting place!!!!!

These kind of decisions can only be made with a clear head, a full and exact appreciation of the situation and a coin flip.

Sadly it fell down heads so it was back to London but then after ordering another pint and thinking how a certain Simon Williams would deal with this, it became the best of three.

Khanty Mansiysk was a clear winner and who would dare to argue against the fate of a coin flip? I was now committed. I went back to my apartment to change my flight and book up for KM.

Packing took 2.4 seconds as I only had two days of clothing with me and I was on my last pair of underwear so a laundry service was high up the requirements when choosing a hotel.

I spent the next day wandering round Moscow (a city I know and love so well) prior to a taxi at five to carry me off to wonderful Vnukovo Airport. Now if any of you know Moscow you will know that Moscow taxis either smell of oil or petrol. I was twice blessed as I got one that smelled of both!

I also had a driver who was either drunk or hadn’t slept for the past week. Maybe even both.

You see anytime we had moved some distance (which by the way was clearly not what this car was designed for let alone the conveyance of people) he would drop in to blissful slumber.

This was followed by maniacal screaming from me as we neared tramlines, red lights, people crossing and other usual road hazards. It was at this point he was ever eager to prove that his brakes worked as I was plunged in to the windscreen.

So the journey went snuffle, snore, sleep, scream, brake and splat all the way to Vnukova.

I’d only wanted a taxi not ten rounds with Klitchkov.

Clearly driving was not anywhere near the top of priorities when he was taking me.

On arrival at the airport I was quite taken aback by the efficiency of it all. It all looks and seems outdated and about to fall apart at any second but worked very well indeed. It took only half an hour from arrival to the departure gate.

Beat that London bloody Heathrow. It was a pleasant flight thankfully as I’m not a great fan of air travel even though that’s my job in real life.

You know it’s funny, if you are in a library and you start screaming everyone looks at you as a total weirdo. Scream on an aeroplane in flight and everyone joins in. I didn’t need to scream on this occasion.

On arrival in Khanty Mansiysk I set a personal best. Leave plane, into taxi (as explained earlier I have NO luggage), check in at hotel, drop bag to room and order a pint – 19 mins 32 seconds. I was quite chuffed with myself and ordered another and another……

I’ve had a good scout of Khanty Mansiysk today and can confirm that I approve for this city to hold the Olympiad. I can hear now the city elders breathe a sigh of relief.

I’ve visited their chess academy, a new building dedicated to chess which will host the congress and also the tennis centre which was built as the name suggests for racquet sports but the only venue big enough to host so many games at once. It is a truly enormous venue.

All the contenders will be arriving tomorrow night from Munich, Prague or Dubai on their charter flights and I will bet anyone a pound to a penny no one beats 19 mins 32 seconds.

Sent from my iPhone

The main Drunken Knights team play in central London, at The Plough pub, right near to the British Museum. This team is brilliantly run by the charismatic Nevil Chan but just recently, transport bigwig,  Gary O’Grady has started a ‘Surrey Branch’ down in Godalming his home town.

Now this has become quite handy for me as I now live a 2 minute walk away from the home venue. Coincidence you may think? Well kind of I guess…

It was a hard decision leaving my old club Sandhurst, who have made many great steps in improving the status of chess and I must thank Alec (the main man at Sandhurst) personally, for he has helped me out greatly but from a practical point of view, it made more sense to join the Drunken Knights.

Now there has been some rumours about other signings for the Drunken Knights http://www.ecforum.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2083 I cannot comment on these rumours but I will leave it in the capable hands of Gary O’Grady to introduce the new team members: myself, Aly and Mark Rich the new signings…

The extract below was taken from an email that was circulated amongst the Drunken Knights Surrey Branch team, from the captain Gary O’Grady. I had to edit it somewhat in order to publish it here… and please note that it IS fictional!

We have some exciting new players joining us this season to ensure that I don’t play and spoil our championship chance!

Ginger GM Simon Williams

Simon Williams was born in Farnham and educated locally before moving on to a remote monastery on the Greek Island of Paphos in order to find God and inner peace after a drug fuelled early school life. It was here he developed quite a skill in chess playing in his habit with other lonely monks trying to find similar enlightenment.

He never did find God nor inner peace and his earlier days came back to haunt him. The main production for this monastery was trappist ales which Simon had avoided consuming for many years.

However after a very bad game against one of the newest monks to join this cabal he was completely inconsolable at this unfathomable loss and turned once more to the ale. Many jugs later and dancing round the steeple minus his habit he was cast out of this peaceful haven and sent back to the real world to hopefully repent and contemplate his actions.

This he still has spectacularly failed to do. Moving back to Farnham home turf he fell back in to his old ways. Drunken Knights manger Gary O’Grady dragged him out of this putrid filthy mire and offered him a place in the Drunken Knights Surrey Branch in the hope of encouraging him back in to a world of peaceful normality.

Simon has come on well and has since moved to Godalming living just 34 seconds brisk walk from The Star.

We wish him well in his recovery and welcome him back to society and hope the Drunken Knights experience will lead to a sustained and fullfield life.

WFM Alexandra Wilson

Lovely Alexandra ‘Aly’ Wilson started her chess career early in a small village in the foot hills of the Pyrenees. It was a poor upbringing. Her parents couldn’t afford a complete set so coloured stones were sometimes used in their stead.

Her school life was far from satisfactory being in the bottom class of every subject but completely and utterly absorbed in her little chess set. After seeing how well she played a neighbour offered to take her to the local chess club as a visiting grand master from Paris was going to give a simultaneous display.

Needless to say Aly was the last one standing with the grand master having to concede a draw against this young plucky upstart. Years went by and she failed abysmally at school but the chess never stoped. She decided ultimately to leave her girl hood home to find her fortune over the chess board and began a tour of Europe.

This ended abruptly in Geneva when she was approached during a tournament by a ginger haired weirdo offering to take her to chess heaven. Totally taken in by his drunken charms they began a truly tempestuous relationship which after many years now means that Aly also lives a brisk 34 second walk from The Star.

Mark Rich

All I can say about Mark Rich is that he had a one move check mate against 3 times British Champion Grandmaster some Scottish bloke and missed it!

Wise words Mr. Rich. Wise words indeed.

So there we are. They are the new boys and girl joining our illustrious brotherhood.

The main Drunken Knights team play in central London, at The Plough pub, right near to the British Museum. This team is brilliantly run by the charismatic Nevil Chan but just recently, transport bigwig,  Gary O’Grady has started a ‘Surrey Branch’ down in Godalming his home town.

Now this has become quite handy for me as I now live a 2 minute walk away from the home venue. Coincidence you may think? Well kind of I guess…

It was a hard decision leaving my old club Sandhurst, who have made many great steps in improving the status of chess and I must thank Alec (the main man at Sandhurst) personally, for he has helped me out greatly but from a practical point of view, it made more sense to join the Drunken Knights.

Now there has been some rumours about other signings for the Drunken Knights http://www.ecforum.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2083 I cannot comment on these rumours but I will leave it in the capable hands of Gary O’Grady to introduce the new team members: myself, Aly and Mark Rich the new signings…

The extract below was taken from an email that was circulated amongst the Drunken Knights Surrey Branch team, from the captain Gary O’Grady. I had to edit it somewhat in order to publish it here… and please note that it IS fictional!

We have some exciting new players joining us this season to ensure that I don’t play and spoil our championship chance!

Ginger GM Simon Williams

Simon Williams was born in Farnham and educated locally before moving on to a remote monastery on the Greek Island of Paphos in order to find God and inner peace after a drug fuelled early school life. It was here he developed quite a skill in chess playing in his habit with other lonely monks trying to find similar enlightenment.

He never did find God nor inner peace and his earlier days came back to haunt him. The main production for this monastery was trappist ales which Simon had avoided consuming for many years.

However after a very bad game against one of the newest monks to join this cabal he was completely inconsolable at this unfathomable loss and turned once more to the ale. Many jugs later and dancing round the steeple minus his habit he was cast out of this peaceful haven and sent back to the real world to hopefully repent and contemplate his actions.

This he still has spectacularly failed to do. Moving back to Farnham home turf he fell back in to his old ways. Drunken Knights manger Gary O’Grady dragged him out of this putrid filthy mire and offered him a place in the Drunken Knights Surrey Branch in the hope of encouraging him back in to a world of peaceful normality.

Simon has come on well and has since moved to Godalming living just 34 seconds brisk walk from The Star.

We wish him well in his recovery and welcome him back to society and hope the Drunken Knights experience will lead to a sustained and fullfield life.

WFM Alexandra Wilson

Lovely Alexandra ‘Aly’ Wilson started her chess career early in a small village in the foot hills of the Pyrenees. It was a poor upbringing. Her parents couldn’t afford a complete set so coloured stones were sometimes used in their stead.

Her school life was far from satisfactory being in the bottom class of every subject but completely and utterly absorbed in her little chess set. After seeing how well she played a neighbour offered to take her to the local chess club as a visiting grand master from Paris was going to give a simultaneous display.

Needless to say Aly was the last one standing with the grand master having to concede a draw against this young plucky upstart. Years went by and she failed abysmally at school but the chess never stoped. She decided ultimately to leave her girl hood home to find her fortune over the chess board and began a tour of Europe.

This ended abruptly in Geneva when she was approached during a tournament by a ginger haired weirdo offering to take her to chess heaven. Totally taken in by his drunken charms they began a truly tempestuous relationship which after many years now means that Aly also lives a brisk 34 second walk from The Star.

Mark Rich

All I can say about Mark Rich is that he had a one move check mate against 3 times British Champion Grandmaster some Scottish bloke and missed it!

Wise words Mr. Rich. Wise words indeed.

So there we are. They are the new boys and girl joining our illustrious brotherhood.