Chess: Levon Aronian disappointed in FIDE over scrapping of presidential term limit

SportStar – The Hindu, India
Dec 18 2023

Published : Dec 18, 2023 21:48 IST , CHENNAI 

S. PRASANNA VENKATESAN

The World chess federation’s (FIDE’s) approval of a motion to scrap the presidential term limit in its annual general assembly on Sunday has met with disappointment from the Armenia-born chess great, Grand Master Levon Aronian.

Previously, the president had to step down after two four-year terms in power.

Expressing his disapproval of and disappointment at the decision, Aronian said at the Chennai Grand Masters Chess Championship on Monday, “I think generally it doesn’t matter what kind of governance, serving more than two terms always leads to trouble. Leadership is something that is very infectious and it is something you want to do forever. No matter how good of a leader you are, you are going to eventually start developing those birth traits that belong to all of the leaders that stay there for too long. So, it’s my personal opinion. I think when you make such decisions, a lot of the good things that you do get undone. Because now you are perceived as an usurpator of the position. I don’t like that decision. And I’m disappointed in FIDE.

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/chess/chennai-grand-masters-2023-levon-aronian-disappointed-fide-scrapping-president-term-limit/article67651742.ece

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS