Kirsan Ilumzhinov - prominent Russian statesman, the first and only president of Kalmikia republic, president of FIDE since November of 1995. He was born in April, 5, 1962 in Elista. He became Kalmikian chess champion 14 years old.  Ilumzhinov graduated Moscow state institute of international relations in 1989. His profession is “Politics and history of Japan”.
Ilumzhinov was awarded by Friendship order in 1997, St’ prince Daniil of Moscow order (from Patriarchate); has medal of Peace for humanitarian activities from FIDE in 1992. He is master of sports in chess.  Except Kalmikian and Russian knows Japan, English, a little bit Korean, Mongol and Chinese languages.
The decision to conduct IV World Blitz Chess championship in Almaty is belong to Kirsan Ilumzhinov. It was made the last year at the VII  children and youth championship Seimar Chess Tournament, when Kirsan Ilumzhinov met with the members of Tutorial council of Noncommercial Charitable Seimar Social Fund.