Kasparov’s chess project just a ploy—Chessam

The Chess Association of Malawi (Chessam) says it is sceptical about the initiative by grand master Garry Kasparov to establish chess infrastructure in 10 primary schools across the country.

Kezzie Msukwa,Chessam president, said yesterday they have noted that the Russian’s pledge was just a ploy to hoodwink the local chess authority to vote for him during the world chess governing body (Fide) elections next August, when he will contest for presidency.

Kasparov visited Malawi last month and declared during a press briefing in Lilongwe that he, through his foundation, would adopt and support at least 10 primary schools for four years, starting this year, in an attempt to use the mental sport as a tool for education and social development.

But Msukwa told Nation on Sunday that he met the grand master soon after his sojourn in the country and he was shocked to learn that Kasparov was yet to identify donors for the project.

“When I asked him when exactly his foundation would start the project this year, Kasparov said they will do it once his body finds donors because, at present, his foundation does not have money.

“He, however, added that his initial target for such initiative will be Kenya, saying Malawi should just wait for her turn in the near future. Then we realised he came to Malawi just to lobby for our vote during the 2014 Fide elections,” said Msukwa.

The visit to Malawi was part of Kasparov’s African tour that coincided with the recent Commonwealth and South African Open Chess championships in South Africa.

During the tour, he also went to Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

The grand master, who became the youngest player to win a world title in 1985 and maintained position one on the global rankings for 20 years, sponsored Malawi’s candidate master Chiletso Chipanga and Ellen Mpinganjira at the Commonwealth Championships through his foundation’s K2.1 million ($6 000) backing.