CHESS

The recognition of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) by the executive
board of the International Olympic Committee at a June meeting has
receive modest publicity. But it was indeed a landmark event. It
helps further awareness that sporting struggle and physical effort are
central to chess. It also makes the royal game eligible for new
sources of funding.

Its newly conferred status means that chess -- which may be a
demonstration sport at the Sidney Olympics next year -- is beholden to
a new authority. The federation's recent knockout tournament in Las
Vegas was the first world chess championship held under the auspices
of the International Olympic Committee.

In receiving recognition by the Olympic movement, FIDE has bolstered
its claim that its world champion, Alexander Khalifman -- not Garry
Kasparov, the rival World Chess Council champion -- has legal right to
the title.

It has also taken upon itself for the first time the issue of doping.
Are coffee and alcohol to be considered performance-enhancing drugs
for chess players?

The issue is not as fantastic as appears. In recent times, the Dutch
Chess Federation has asked to be exempt from doping regulations
applying to other national sports federations. And the German Chess
Federation, under pressure from the German Sports Federation, felt
obliged in 1992 to introduce its own rules on drug use.

I am not aware of any substance that particularly enhances the
performance of chess players, although on at least a couple of
occasions I have seen Garry Kasparov munching on a piece of chocolate
between moves.