Socialist MP Igor Dodon is accused of imposing his political beliefs on the National Chess Federation that he heads. Fifty persons were excluded from the Federation because they didn’t agree with the policy pursued by the chairman of the Party of Socialists (PSRM). Related statements were made by representatives of the excluded persons in a news conference at IPN.

Ion Harea, head of the Ungheni Chess Federation, said that in 2011 Igor Dodon was chosen as president of the Federation with multiple violations. About 70 foreign persons were brought to the General Assembly to vote for Igor Dodon. International chess master Anatol Bat appealed the election procedure to court. This July, the court has decided that the Federation’s property will remain sequestrated until a final decision is passed.

According to Ion Harea, immediately after Igor Dodon was elected as president of the Federation, he started to impose his political convictions, while the Federations’ meetings turned into party meetings staged at the head office of the PSRM. “Chess is based on rules, not on political colors,” stated Harea.

He also said that last September, 50 persons, including three world champions, were excluded from the National Chess Federation because they ‘didn’t keep in touch with the Federation’. The real reason for their exclusion was the fact that they didn’t support Igor Dodon’s policy.

“Some of the chess players agreed to receive money from Dodon for the chess activity. I think this is not a chess principle. I consider we should hold again elections in an appropriate way. If the majority says that Igor Dodon must manage the affairs in the field of chess, let it be so, but the procedure must be correct,” said Ion Harea.

Moldova’s chess composition champion Mihai Croitor said it is strange that well-known chess players were excluded from the Federation without a reason instead of being named members of honor.