July FIDE Rating List: Four Things

See the ChessBase story regarding Magnus' amazing attainment, which is now official.  Note several things about this all-time top ten list.  First, Carlsen's achievement at 19 is nothing short of amazing.  I anxiously wait to see just how much he will achieve.  Second, taken by itself, Fischer's inclusion on this list 38 years after reaching his peak rating is also amazing, but it is particularly so when one accounts for almost 40 years of inflation.  If memory serves, Fischer actually lost rating points by defeating World Champion Spassky.  Third, Kasparov's and Karpov's positions on the list are noteworthy because of the age of their ratings.  Karpov remains in the top ten despite the lapse of sixteen years and the attendant inflation, and Kasparov still holds the first position eleven years after his peak.  Neither Carlsen, nor anyone else, will likely bump him down anytime soon.  Finally, only one country has more than one player on this list.  Unsurprisingly, it is Russia with four.

FIDE Elections: Russia Reported to Support Ilyumzhinov

ChessVibes reports that Russia will support incumbent Ilyumzhinov for President of the FIDE in the upcoming election.  Russian support is of great importance in any given year, but particularly so when both of the candidates are Russian.  The other candidate is of course former World Champion Karpov, whom the USCF has endorsed.

USCF Endorses Karpov

The USCF has endorsed the ticket of Karpov and Conn for FIDE leadership in the upcoming election.  The U.S. is one of, at last count, 158 voting member countries. 

Karpov is a former World Champion, and Russian, dominating the game between Fischer and Kasparov.  Conn is a U.S. citizen and an international lawyer with strong ties to Moscow.  He is fluent in Russian.


They face off against Ilyumzhinov, the current FIDE President, who is also President of the Republic of Kalmykia of the Russian Federation, and his deputy, Makropoulos, who runs the day-to-day affairs of the FIDE.