New Delhi : The All India Chess Federation (AICF) has said it supports five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand’s candidature for the position of world body’s (FIDE) Deputy President.

Anand will be contesting for the post as part of incumbent FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich’s team. Recently appointed AICF Interim Secretary, Dr Vipnesh Bhardwaj clarified the federation’s stand on the matter, saying former Secretary, Bharat Singh Chauhan has always unquestionably supported Anand’s candidature.

Dr Bhardwaj’s statement came after emails started circulating that Chauhan is the right candidate instead of Anand and the latter has sought support from the country’s chess fraternity for his leadership role in FIDE Though the sources of the circulated emails are yet to be established, AICF office bearers vehemently condemned such rumours and pledged to file a police complaint to nail the culprits, who intend to tarnish the image of the national federation.

The history is a little deep, this is simply a ploy by the opposing members who are actually not for chess but out to damage the reputation of not only AICF, but also our country, Dr Bhardwaj said in a statement after taking charge as Secretary following a Delhi High Court order.

This is the first time ever that the Indian team has a sponsorship of Rs 2 crore for the Olympiad, and clearly the opposition is not happy with our work that has been done so far, he added.