Kasparov checkmated in vote

An eccentric Russian millionaire who believes he was once abducted by aliens was re-elected as president of the International Chess Federation yesterday.

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the former governor of Russia's Buddhist republic of Kalmykia and a loyal follower of Vladimir Putin, saw off a challenge by Garry Kasparov, the former world champion and an outspoken critic of the Kremlin.

Ilyumzhinov's win followed an ill-tempered campaign mired in accusations of corruption, dirty tricks and bullying.

"It's not about chess," said Kasparov, who fled Russia last year. "This is a pure political fight."