Today is Tuesday, May 20, 2008. It is 5 days after the last extension date after a gazillion delays granted by FIDE before that and there is no still word from any of the 3 sides (FIDE, Topalov and Kamsky). The last we heard is the money was supposed to be transferred but there was no confirmation. The other side is quite skeptical and maintains the attitude of “yeah right” and “show me the Euros”.
I just scanned all the popular chess sites such as the FIDE website, TWIC, Chessbase, Chessdom, Chessvibes, RusChess, ICC, Chess Today, etc. There is absolutely no update from anyone.
What could possibly be the problem? What is your opinion? Some of the most popular questions that have been raised are:
– Why $750,000 while the highest bid was $150,000?
– Why so much secrecy for such a long time?
– Why so many delays?
I think all has been said.
What about Women world championship which should be held in June/July ? After FIDE retracted the Argentinian bid they announced that it was supposed to be held in Istanbul.
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=4531
But no information aver since. And the tournament should start in a month!
Ilumzinov is the villain. Kamsky’s manager is just a con artist, but Ilumzinov who treats FIDE as if it is his own company should be removed from the post.
The current conduct of FIDE demonstrates that structure alone won’t end corruption and improve transparency. When the leadership have no shame and no compunction in completely contradicting themselves and denying what they have already committed to doing, we’ll end up with a mess.
FIDE is running a lot of great events. Give them some credit.
Better than USCF anyway.
have you thought that maybe this match will no take place, lack of interest among others. jb.
There is no money. This is a joke; I agree with Danailov on this one.
I don’t know when, but reasonably soon even FIDE has to realize that. They will announce the match to take place in Bulgaria. This will happen no later than mid-June. Kamsky will have to sign the match contract or be replaced by Shirov. I think he will sign, however.
wtf
I know it can be difficult to get money wired. Banks have to be very careful before wiring money. However, the situation is not looking good. It is now very early Wednesday morning in USA and something should have happened by now. There should at least be something said by Kamsky’s manager who is trying to get the money transferred.