Anand’s appeal to postpone World Chess Championship match turned down
TNN, Apr 20, 2010, 12.23am IST
Anand was stranded in Frankfurt on Friday on his way to Sofia, the venue of the match, which is scheduled to start next Friday with an opening ceremony on Wednesday.
The organising committee confirmed it got an e-mailed request for a three day postponement from Anand and also a word from FIDE about the situation.
However, the organisers stuck to their guns and insisted that the opening ceremony should be held as scheduled on Wednesday as it involved a series of commitments, both commercial and political.
While declining Anand’s appeal, the committee said, “We can postpone the press conference. Unfortunately, we cannot postpone the opening ceremony scheduled on April 21 at 6 pm. The invitations to all the official guests, sponsors, politicians, TV stations and all the media was already sent long time ago. We have signed a lot of commercial contracts with serious penalties for us in case of some changes.”
The committee, though, agreed to consider the possibility to postpone the first game of the match for one day to Saturday (April 24) but it needed the consent of the chairman of the organising committee, Bulgarian PM Boyko Borissov.
“This will take some time. We will inform regarding our decision not later than the afternoon of April 20 (Tuesday),” the committee said.
Technically, neither the World Chess Federation (FIDE) nor the All India Chess Federation has a role in this because the contract is between Anand and the organising committee. FIDE has the right to intervene in extreme circumstances but the current scenario may not have reached that stage yet.
Meanwhile, Anand is believed to have started his journey to Sofia by land but this could not be confirmed because the Indian was not available either on phone or email. If he had started on Sunday, he would be able to reach Sofia latest by Tuesday morning. Anand’s concerns will be about travel fatigue and disruption of his preparations.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
I m afraid Anand will lose because of tiredness and frustration. Pity! Mikhail Tal losed to Botvinik in the same time.
Anon 4:20pm: on the other hand, it could make him real mad, and give him the extra motivation to blast his opponent.
I think it would be a great match for us spectators!
yet another topalov’s misuse of the situation. seems that he can’t play fair. maybe he haven’t learned his lesson from kramnik.
Look at Vishy’s picture! He is so sad that he bleeds from between his eyes!
Will not anyone help Vishy out in his time of need?
Where are all of the chess fans?
Seems Anand does have real travel problems like many another people at this time.
Perhaps Topalov’s Manager has seen a chance to pick up a free point in the Match from a default , just like the Kramnik vs Topalov Match !?
This is a very difficult situation for Anand, he will nevertheless be ready for the match if only he arrive in time.
I cannot see how Topalov could be brought into the discussion. What happens happens regardless of him.
There are many people with interests here, but the winner can overcome distractions, is what I think. No need to think badly here of either Anand or Topalov.
The problem for me in postponments is that the only way is to remove rest days. Now I will root for Anand, though I look for great games, but I consider the significance of the match the same. I hope Anand will have enough time to rest from travel, but preparation will naturally have been done, and sometimes acclimatasion does not help in a significant way.
So, I think, the match should go as planned as long as Anand can make it to show up and leave at the opening ceremony. Or, the first rest day should be omitted.
I am also thinking of the great prize fund, and the publicity for chess. Anand must be ready and rested, but ideal arrival for him is already impossible: anyway, he has already done his preparation, and he need not get accustomed to the local city, his people can do that. If he can attend the opening ceremony and leave, the match should start as planned.
I agree with aam1. I hope this gives Anand extra motivation to defeat Topalov.