FIDE PRESIDENT FOLKE ROGARD

FIDE President Folke Rogard: The lawyer who organized modern chess in the shadow of the cold war includes dozens of black and white photos, many of which were new for this reviewer. Among the highlights are one of Fischer and Rogard taken during the 1962 Stockholm Interzonal which Bobby won. Vassily Smyslov, Max Euwe, Reuben Fine, Mikhail Botvinnik, and Mikhail Tal are featured in a 1961 photo taken at Schiphol Airport while the Soviet team was passing through on their way to the European Team Championship. Fine was living in Amsterdam at the time doing research. FIDE President Folke Rogard: The lawyer who organized modern chess in the shadow of the cold war is a well-researched book on an important figure who was active at a time when world and chess politics frequently intersected. Those with an interest in chess history during the cold war will find it a fascinating read. This handsome and sturdily bound hardback book is well produced with a clean layout and numerous black and white photographs. IM John Donaldson, December 2024, Berkeley - USA What led Rogard to become FIDE President? Strangely enough, chess didn't play a huge part in his childhood or youth though he had a peak of activity when he was aged between 18 and 21. He first came to prominence in Swedish chess when helping to organise the 1937 Stockholm Olympiad, also contributing a substantial sum to support the event. This led to the chairmanship of the Swedish Chess Federation. Similarly, Rogard's instrumental role in making the 1948 Saltsjöbaden (Sweden) Interzonal take place propelled him to the top of the FIDE leadership. How interesting could the life of a FIDE President be? Really fascinating it turns out! From the moment he took office, Rogard was battling with a lopsided chess world in which one country owned most of the world's strongest players and wished to exert a level of influence congruent with this status. Despite FIDE's ambitions to be the single official body for all chess-playing nations, it was extremely small in 1949 and chess federations across the world were impoverished after the end of the Second World War. It was a recurring nightmare to secure financial backing and ensure representative participa- tion in FIDE events and for all his efforts, Rogard never managed to bind any lasting sponsors to the cause of chess. Perhaps the most striking facet of Rogard's tenure is how little FIDE organisation existed and how much operated on the hero principle: Rogard kept FIDE afloat - and growing - by using extensive resources from his own law firm, and by regularly seeking help from the impressive social network that he had built up in his career. I hadn't expected to be so enthralled by this account, but I truly read this from cover to cover in one go. And the current chess situation starts to make a lot more sense when you understand how the important initial years of FIDE's existence were shaped. Let's award it 5 stars! How interesting could the life of a FIDE President be? Really fascinating it turns out! M.Sadler, NIC 012025