What Happened in the Khanty – Mansiysk?

At the World Chess Olympiad held in Khanty – Mansiysk, the international arbitrator from Yerevan Ashot Vardapetyan was deputy chief arbitrator. After his return we asked him to talk about their impressions about organized in those days, the presidential elections of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), as well as performances of our players.

– Olympics were organized brilliantly. I have worked in eight contests, and I think that the Olympics in Khanty – Mansiysk were the best. Were well and poorly organized competitions. Among the best is the World Chess Olympiad 1996 in Yerevan. Nevertheless, in the Khanty – Mansiysk was done something nobody has done before. All the chess players were able to free ride from Moscow to the place of competition. Accommodations conditions were excellent, food superb.

– The university dormitory in Khanty – Mansiysk conditions were good, too?

– As soon as the referee stopped the hostel unskilled, but I was there and I can say that the conditions were good. Each room has a separate kitchen, a microwave oven. The level of transport services was high. Most participants stayed at the new Olympic Hotel Olympic. “By the way, its construction was completed in time for the beginning of the Olympiad.

On a good job of transport and indicated that there was not one to be late. And this time, FIDE has established procedures to admit defeat too late and the player.

– The President of Armenian Chess Federation Serzh Sargsyan and his first deputy Smbat Lputian did not arriv in Khanty-Mansiysk. Who represented our country at this Congress?

– Armenia was represented by our honorary president of the Chess Federation Vanik Zakarian, at the same time he was an honorary vice-president of FIDE. I’ll tell you that the Congress Zakarian was re-elected and retained his post. In the Congress participated Gagik Hovhannisyan, I also was among the delegates. We worked in different committees of FIDE. Personally, I am a member of five committees. So even in the days off I was overworked.

– How was the election of President of FIDE?

– The likely winner of a presidential candidate in FIDE. However, his opponent is the 12-th world champion Anatoly Karpov held a great deal of preparatory work. With him were several of his lawyers, who tried to change some rules of FIDE, but in the end, with a clear advantage 95:55 votes, was elected Ilyumzhinov.

– What was the main cause of discontent?

– Karpov was not satisfied that the chess federation of 20 countries that do not have delegates at the Congress authorized the Chess Federation of different countries to vote for them, while FIDE provides such an opportunity. The reason is that due to finances, not all countries are sending their delegates.

In Ilyumzhinov comprehensive program, in particular, he wants to ensure that schools in all countries were taught chess. He said that the program has found the response, and there is great progress.

– And why Karpov did not accept the proposal Ilyumzhinov become vice-president of FIDE?

– Upon his election, they also attended the press conference. Karpov congratulates rival. He said that by nature a leader and cannot be a substitute. In addition, he is a director of several international organizations, and very busy. Problem was resolved by the fact that Ilyumzhinov appointed Ambassador Karpov Tournament in UNESCO.

– What is your impression of the performances of male and female teams of Armenia?

– Representatives from Armenia have shown different results. If we talk about men’s team, then one thing was clear that Vladimir Hakobyan, Gabriel Sargsyan were not in great shape. But in the past, thanks to a successful game Sarkisian Armenian team twice became Olympic champion.

– How do you explain that Avetik Grigoryan played at the Olympics only one game?

– It was a decision of the head coach of men’s national team of Armenia Arshak Petrosian. Avetik Grigoryan won the game with his opponent. I think when it became clear that Hakobyan and Sarkisian is not in good shape, it was necessary to provide an opportunity to play Avetik, and then, perhaps, the picture would be different.

– What about women’s national team of Armenia?

– Well played only Elina Danielian. In my opinion, women’s national team of Armenia at this time was better prepared than two years ago, but took the11-th place.