10/24/2004
MIG and Chess today had an interesting
discussion about the lack of English language coverage of the Kramnik vs.
Leko world championship. I can’t say I can blame this on the non-chess
press. I am not sure the English language chess press properly covered
this chess event. Coverage must start months before the event occurs.
The chess world’s main governing body FIDE did not even mention
this important event on its web site. So how can the chess world expect
the non-chess world to report on it? I find it very strange that FIDE
would not promote a match between two of its top players. Especially when
the match was part of the Prague unification that FIDE put together.
Unification is just a state of mind. In order for it to successful,
it must happen before all the matches are complete. We must unify first,
and then play the matches.
I didn’t feel that FIDE gave the Kramnik vs.
Leko match the proper focus. In fact I don’t think Fide gave it any
focus. How can we expect
non-chess world to cover the match when FIDE doesn’t even acknowledge
that the match exists. A great opportunity was wasted.
FIDE is not alone in this blame; a lot of chess professions have
ignored Kramnik’s great accomplishment when he defeated Garry Kasparov in
2000.
The 14th
World Champion deserves some blame as well. Kramnik has not followed the
great example that Karpov and Kasparov set during the past 3 decades.
Kramnik has not been the kind of chess ambassador that Karpov and Kasparov
were and continue to be. Kramnik has yet to visit the United States to
help promote the game. However Kramnik did not have the organizational support that
Karpov and Kasparov had. But still, I think Kramnik could have done more
to help promote the game.
This is why I want a return to the old system.
It produced a champion every one could respect. It was a 3-year cycle,
which gave the champion time enjoy his title and to promote the game by
being the game’s leading ambassador. I think it’s a life long duty of
the world champion to promote the game around the world. FIDE should make
use of its great champions and support them in this endeavor.
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