Inal Sheripov Withdraws Presidential Team

Inal Sheripov

That the withdrawal statement came was expected going by the word round that Mr. Inal Sheripov has been unwell. It should have been much earlier to enable team members seek other opportunities.

On May 19, Inal Sheripov from Belgium, announced his intention to run for FIDE President. His ticket was officially submitted to the FIDE office, with supporting letters from the Chess Federations of Ukraine, Zambia, Sierra-Leone, Barbados, and Timor Leste. The ticket included Lewis Ncube (Zambia), current President of the African Chess Confederation, as a Candidate for the position of FIDE Deputy President.

Based on electoral rules, while the team members could have been changed, Mr. Sheripov's candidacy cannot be swapped by another hence the team's best move, which leaves Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich with one less team to contend with during the FIDE Elections scheduled to take place on Sunday August 7, 2022. The three candidates are:

1. Arkadij Dvorkovich, current president of FIDE, with Viswanathan Anand as Deputy 
2. Andrii Baryshpolets, with Peter Heine Nielsen as deputy
3. Bachar Kouatly, with Ian Wilkinson as deputy

The three had an opportunity to pitch their ticket to members of Zone 4.2.

We wish Mr. Inal Sheripov a smooth recovery and God's ease.

STATEMENT BY 'TEAM BEST MOVE" PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

Dear Delegates,

Dear Fellow Candidates,

Dear Chess Communities,

I wish to express my eternal gratitude to the entire global chess community for having accepted my candidature under the "Team Best Move" brand to contest the FIDE Presidential Elections scheduled for August 7, 2022, in Chennai, India on the sidelines of the 44th. World Chess Olympiad.

Regrettably, I wish to inform you of my decision to withdraw from the 2022 FIDE Presidential Elections on health grounds.

In early June I was admitted to hospital for what appeared to be a routine check up on my health situation.

I had been feeling weak for some days after filing in our ticket's candidacy.

After investigations that progressed from a very serious illnesses scare to other potentially debilitating health conditions, I am still undergoing further tests.

This health situation that has taken almost two months from my proposed campaign schedule means that I have not been able to deliver my full message to the chess community.

I wish to thank my team across all the Continents for their understanding.

This decision has been a very difficult one to make as I am aware of the work that my Team has put into our campaign.

As I withdraw, I wish to urge all the remaining candidates to put the interest of the global chess community above a narrow focus and embrace everyone in their programmes after the elections are over.

I have spoken to the various members of "Team Best Move", and I have advised them to be available to work with any progressive ticket and to maintain the unity that the global chess community deserves.

We may have different views on how we believe we must move forward to develop our beautiful game; however, our goals should ultimately be the same.

Upon clearance from my Doctor, I will also be available to work with the team chosen by the chess community to lead us for the next four years; should my services be required.

Serving the global chess community, in whatever capacity, is a wish I will continue to yearn for.

Gens Una Sumus!

Inal Sheripov

02.08.2022