Cooperation Kirsan and Bessel confirmed

Hot news: today in a press release the news was brought that Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Bessel Kok, the two opponents during the FIDE president elections in May, will cooperate. A few months ago Ilyumzhinov had already mentioned that the further development of professional chess could be in the hands of a company outside FIDE, run by Kok, and now these plans are confirmed.

Yesterday, a Memorandum Of Understanding has been signed in Prague. The parties agreed on the formal launch of a company called Global Chess BV to be located in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. A five year business plan, a financial budget and the draft statutes of the new company was approved. With the exception of those competitions which have already been contracted by FIDE to organisers, Global Chess will become responsible for the marketing, development and promotion of all FIDE tournaments and matches related to the World championship cycles for Men, Women, Youths and Juniors. The initial Board of Directors will consist of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, Bessel Kok and Alexey Orlov. The Board asked Mr. Bessel Kok to act as its Chairman, which he accepted.

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