The column presents the final part of Kasparov’s announcement of his candidacy for President of the World Chess Federation, FIDE. At this month’s launch of his candidacy, Kasparov introduced the rest of his ticket which represents every continent with a mix of business and investment expertise, organisational backgrounds and chess experience.
– Ignatius Leong of Singapore, the current General Secretary in the Ilyumzhinov administration, is practically synonymous with chess in Asia. He is a renowned international arbiter, organiser and chess trainer with immense knowledge and relationships throughout the chess world.
– Jan Callewaert is a Belgian businessman and entrepreneur with extensive management experience. His passion for chess and its many educational benefits led him to join forces with Kasparov to co-found the Kasparov Chess Foundation Europe of which he is president.
– Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Hamed of the United Arab Emirates moved from a long military education and career to becoming a prominent businessman in trade and transport, among other sectors. He owns several five-star hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. He has a long-standing passion for chess as a player and patron. His educational foundation promotes chess in education in Abu Dhabi schools.
– Afrika Msimang of South Africa is the president of the Kasparov Chess Foundation Africa and has a remarkable career record of policy, social activism, and teaching. She has been involved in the successful Moves for Life programme, a chess education organisation that enjoys the patronage of South African President Jacob Zuma.
– Rex Sinquefield of the United States has turned his home city of St Louis in Missouri into a global chess capital. An investor, whose Dimension Fund Advisors oversees more than $300 billion, his Chess Club and Scholastic Centre of St Louis has hosted the US Championship and other elite events while developing programmes for scholastic chess.
Al Hamed
