World chess chiefs’ accounts frozen over Isil row

THE world governing body of chess has had its financial dealings halted amid allegations its scandal-hit president facilitated the funding of Isil terrorists.

Fide, the Lausanne-based federation which runs the game, disclosed yesterday that UBS, the Swiss bank, closed its accounts after finally losing patience with its failure to depose Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the Russian millionaire.

Mr Ilyumzhinov, who was once part of Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, was placed on a US wanted list in November 2015 for allegedly being in-

volved in oil deals which left a trail to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) via the Syrian government.

But despite repeatedly denying the allegations, and claiming he is the victim of a Us-led plot to topple him, Mr Ilyumzhinov has been unable to clear his name. In a letter published on the Fide website, Dr Adrian Siegel, the treasurer, revealed UBS had shut its bank accounts and the federation faces a “serious problem” paying bills just weeks before the Candidates, its flagship world championship playoff tournament in Berlin which has a prize fund of $460,000 (£330,000). Dr Siegal laid the blame squarely on Mr Ilyumzhinov, saying “In summary, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov’s problems severely damaged Fide’s business activities and we have to look for a new banking connection.” A UBS spokesman said: “We follow all laws and regulations that are applicable to us.”