Learning from Mistakes (Right Move?!)

Learning from Mistakes (Right Move?!)

(Did I shift or not?) – Do you want to learn what happened in 2006? Read it!

We all love chess. And the most important doctrine to be learnt in chess is not to repeat the same mistake again, to learn from mistakes.

It was the year of 2005, when I decided to create a group against FIDE management at the time. I had dreams and wanted to be in power to realise my dreams. Do not underestimate me being a dreamiest, look at Turkish Chess and see what have been realised, 10 years ago even could not be dreamed. Also the rumours about FIDE management were a reason for this raising up. Through the help of some friends Mr. Bessel Kok joined me. I remember even date - it was in 2005 FIDE Congress in Dresden, in the garden of Trefl Hotel we met for the first time. The gentleman, according to source of information, was a rich man, with clear experience in business and finding sponsorship. I respect anyone who is willing to contribute to chess in legal terms.

Of course my closest friend Geoffrey Borg was together with me for the right move campaign. I had a discussion with Mr. Kok and decided to create the ‘right move’ group, and accept his willing to join to this group. So, I did not join to team of Mr.Kok, he joined my team as the candidate for presidential post.

You may remember this campaign; it was a great experience for me. During the campaign I understood how a person can be a rich man, but even I learnt it from Kok, the variant for this aim has not been suitable for my personality.

We have lost elections with a clear difference of 96 to 54. I was in losing camp but it taught me a lot in the politics. I believe in that I learnt a lot from this chess game I lost. Do not we pay a cost for learning lessons? During this campaign one of the issues we have faced was a Karpov candidacy. We knew very clearly that a second candidate against to Kirsan would make our job very difficult. During those meetings with the third camp I met Mr. Karpov, and it was another excellent (!) experience for me.

Whatever...

We lost elections, but being one of the strongest Federation’s President, I accepted the result with maturity. At the end it is democracy all we believe in.

It was 6 August 2006 in Agri, when we organised World Youth Under- 16 Chess Olympiad Kirsan came to the opening ceremony. Since Agri airport is domestic, and his intensive schedule was not allowing him to come via Istanbul with a scheduled flight, he came and landed in Nahicevan (Azerbaijan) with a private jet, I picked up him from Nahicevan and we were driving with escorts to the town of Dogubeyazit for three hours. During this time, Kirsan expressed himself to me. It was my first private meeting with President for a long duration in car. He told me his dreams and ideas how to make chess a popular sport in the world. I loved those ideas, were not they my dreams? They were.

We went to opening ceremony and this famous picture you see everywhere was captured there.

Exactly after the opening ceremony, (Kirsan has been in Dogubeyazit for two or three hours) we returned back to Nahicevan to his private rented jet.

On our way back, the President of FIDE told me he was going to establish a new company (later called Global Chess) and he wanted to invite the good program of opposition and people into FIDE work. He told me that Kok will be in the management and I should be there due to my experience and good work I have carried out in Turkish Chess. He told me that he was going to put two  million Euros as capital to company from his private money and my salary would be 10.000€ per month being deputy (or co-chairman I do not remember well) of the company. I have refused on the spot, although the money was equal to my 6-month salary. There are some principles, being President of Turkish Chess Federation, although it is legal money I could not accept such as job. I could not be the president of Turkish Chess Federation and working as staff of the President of FIDE. It is a conflict of interest for me. On the contrary, I know now that Mr.Kok has been paid from September 2006 till May 2009 a substantial amount of money, probably better then what I was proposed.

Later on, in 2007 when Kirsan came to FIDE Presidential Board in Antalya, we have met at the airport and with a VIP car went to Kemer. This time we were together with Berik Balgabaev and Kirsan offered me again this job in Global Chess. He told me Bessel Kok would be the Chairman, I would be co-chairman. Sure I refused again. I did not want to be reached in this way... Then Kirsan told me that he wanted me to be FIDE Vice President. My answer was clear, ‘I will tell my opinion always as I believe. ’ I do this still. I accepted and since this time in the board I have been telling what I believe in. No one tried to stop me or attacked me for my opinion in board. During my vice president position in FIDE, with any name, I was not paid 1 cent by FIDE or Kirsan!

From 2006 September till 2009 May, Kok was paid by Global Chess (Kirsan); a lot of money. As far as I know he did not manage to bring even one cent to Global Chess. Sure it is not my business but all should know this issue.

A few days ago, when I saw his support letter to Karpov, I was shocked. How is it possible to be in this situation. Yes! I made a mistake, a costly mistake, but I learnt a lot.

Why did I write this article?

From outside, as I was in 2006, there are so many rumours about FIDE management. But believe me when you are in, you understand that 100% of those rumours is rubbish. During the last two weeks I spoke with some delegates, they are afraid of Karpov’s allegations that many people in FIDE are corrupted. That was the reason, when I published my open letter, I requested Mr. Karpov, ‘give me a fact! Or apology!’ We did not see any of these proposed replies.

Sure it is a lie. Please check www.fide.com directory/minutes. You will see all minutes of meetings, decisions, and budgets, everything.

All meetings of FIDE are open to public, did you know that? Now try to think from my position, on one side - there are dirty games, on the other side - honest people accused by opposition. If you love chess, what you would do? Do not we need some people with courage and braveness to express their opinion? Is this wrong? I do not understand people who are accusing me of having changed my camp. Sorry! It is not me as the leader of the Right move who was paid and shifted his position. I did not get a cent from FIDE or FIDE people to step out. I see the realities, I understood my mistake and now I am making the correct move.

Kirsan is a candidate now!! I know it and you will see it. But the team is more important. If Kirsan steps out, since we are very strong team, we will find another candidate. We have B Plan, C Plan, D Plan, etc.. The leader may be anyone! From Africa, America, Asia, Europe or even from Turkey!! This wind started in 1995 and it will never go down.

Also I wanted to answer oppositions’ small guys sending around letters criticizing me for switching camp. Guys! After I have seen you in the “right move” campaign, I understood everything! That is the reason; I am in front fight with my brave chest fighting you. I am not earning my life from chess, on the contrary sacrificing a lot. Many people in this team are similar. Sure there are some of our federations stepping out from our group, because they are terrorized or misinformed. In what way?

So... Right move was a good spirit, I started, but I made a big mistake (??) choosing some wrong people there. All we should learn.  I will not make the same mistake again! I am sure, some of you do not agree with that.

Chess will win! Our group will win!! Wait and see...

Ali Nihat YAZICI

President of Turkish Chess Federation

French Chess Federation answers, Yazici

 FIDE_Yazici_V7.pdf  Bytes

Yazıcı answers Karpov

Letter by Ali Nihat Yazici (source: chessbase)

Dear Mr. Anatoly Karpov,
Ex World Champion and candidate for 2010 FIDE President Post,

Dear Sir,

As I told you personally in Rijeka, at breakfast, we all respect you as a World Champion, as chess lovers. I wish you very good luck (you need a lot..., and it does not work in this business) for the upcoming FIDE elections.

I have read your letter, and saw that again either you do not read all these releases in the chess media (very bad for a candidate) or your words do not represent what is the truth.

Mr. Karpov, in your letter you mention that your opponent did not get any support letter from a voting federation. You missed a federation, my federation, the Turkish Chess Federation. I would like to understand if you do not care about that, or if your team (if there is one) does not inform you about that. I attach this link for you to see it.

On the other hand, sure we will vote for the best candidate we believe, for the sake of chess. But I cannot see in your letter anything you want to do except attack our current President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.

May I ask you kindly to be on the level of the respect you desire from all your fans, stop this negative campaign and tell us clearly what you want to do. Please do not tell us your allegations (I was insulted by you accusation that I was a "corrupt FIDE management member" – that is still on your website), it is shame to hear such as incredible untruth stories from such as legend. We still await a strong apology from you as a legend, this attitude is clearly not fair play.

Mr. Karpov, do not tell me please, like you said in the Sofia Press Conference, as answer you do not want to go to details. In your campaign website you say that the FIDE Management is corrupt.

GIVE US A FACT HOW WE ARE CORRUPT!!

I do not believe that a FIDE presidential candidate should attack everyone around the world with unreal accusations, You say that you will unite the world, but look what you have been doing in your campaign by accusing people with such as allegations.

And after the election when we shake each other hands (I hope you will be able to do it) you will understand those miscalculations. The FIDE Management has never in the history been as good as it is now, and believe me, when we win, it will be even better.

Best regards,
Ali Nihat YAZICI
President of Turkish Chess Federation
Vice President of FIDE

Obituary - Honorary President Campomanes

Rest in Peace Campomanes!!

Campomanes was elected to that post in 1982, and held it until 1995. During his presidency FIDE family increased by 50 nations. In 1995 he was appointed as FIDE Honorary President, and was often present at significant international competitions such as zonal and continental championships, chess olympiads and world chess championships.

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Betül Süper Başladı...

Rusya'nın Nalchik kentinde düzenlenen FIDE Kadın Grand Prix 4. ayağında ülkemizi temsil eden şampiyon sporcumuz Betül güzel bir galibiyetle süper bir başlangıç yaptı.


Grandprix sıralamasında lider durumda olan Çinli sporcu Xue Zhao'ya karşı beyaz taşlarla kazanan Betül, ilk turun konuşulan süprizi oldu.

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First ACP Women World Rapid Cup

The Calender Has Changed

Name of the Event ..................................................................NEW DATES .....................................PLACE

2009 World Youth Under 16 Olympiad in Akhisar

The Turkish Chess Federation (TCF) will organise the World Youth Under-16 Olympiad in Akhisar district of Manisa, Turkey from 24 September 2009 (Arrival) to 03 October 2009 (Departure). The Championship will be conducted under the auspices of Federation Internationale Des Echecs (FIDE). The Turkish Chess Federation has the pleasure of inviting your Chess Federation to participate in the World Youth Under-16 Olympiad. Entitled to participate are players who shall not have reached the age of 16, by January 1st 2009, (Date of Birth 1993 and after). Tournament venue will be the sport hall of the Municipality.

You can also check the recent Olympiad web site which organized in Mersin last year.
 Tournament Poster

About Akhisar

Akhisar is a county district and its town center in Manisa Province in the Aegean region of Western Turkey. Akhisar is also the ancient city of Thyatira or Thyateira.With archaeological findings proving settlements going back to 3000 BC, Akhisar has been a busy trade center with its strategic location at the intersection of important roads during ancient and medieval ages. It was one of the cities where money was first used. Akhisar also hosted one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Thyateira, Thyatira). The name of the city is mentioned in the Bible. Akhisar maintained its importance as a regional trade center during 600 years of Ottoman Empire. Today's Akhisar is still the trade and business center in its region. Akhisar's name is internationally recalled with tobacco. The fertile Akhisar Plain produces about 10% of total Turkish tobacco production. Akhisar's high-quality olives and olive oil are also globally known.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhisar

17th Çanakkale Troya Ches Tournament

17th Troya Chess Tournament will be held from 31 July - 10 August 2009. The venue of the event is Anafartalar Hotel. You can see the details of 17th  Troya Chess Tournament in the Regulation below.

Regulation

7th Mediterranean Championship in Rijeka, Croatia

2009 World Youth Chess Championship Offical Website

Obituary

The "father" of Turkish chess, the first president of the Turkish Chess Federation after it became official, writer and IA Kahraman Olgaç passed away on May 27 at 14:40. The chess devotee, participated in 11 Olympiads and has served for Turkish chess for decades. Condolences to his family, beloved ones and Turkish Chess Family.

TCF Wins the Case Against ECU: Open Letter