Head of Kalmykia, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov became a winner of the National Award “Personality of the Year 2006” in the nomination “International activities” for his outstanding contribution to the consolidation of Russia's sporting glory.

The other winners of the award, founded by the Russian Biographical Centre, are President of Russia Vladimir Putn in the nomination “State activity”, Russian Attorney General Yuri Chaika in the nomination “Law”, Russian TV company General Director Oleg Dobrodeev in the nomination “Television”, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexiy II in the nomination “Religion”, World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik in the nomination “Sport”.