I just received the following from FIDE:
Moscow, 6 November 2008
Announcement of the FIDE President concerning the match Topalov – Kamsky
Dear chess friends,
As already known, FIDE had initially reached a decision to award the Challenger’s Match Topalov – Kamsky to the Bulgarian Chess Federation which offered a prize fund of 150,000 USD.
Afterwards, and following consultations with both sides, FIDE gave the opportunity to Alexander Chernenko, the manager of GM Gata Kamsky, to bring in an improved bid with Lviv suggested by Mr Chernenko as the host city. The prize fund offered by GM Gata Kamsky’s manager was 750,000 USD. Since then, FIDE received several letters, by banks supposed to co-operate with Mr Chernenko, stating that the funds were “on their way”. But up to this moment, and despite numerous reminders to Alexander Chernenko, no bank guarantees have been provided and of course no transfer of the prize fund has been made to the bank account of FIDE.
At this point I must say that I have deeply regretted the trust which I had shown to Alexander Chernenko, concerning the reliability of his offer. The actions of Mr Chernenko indicate an abuse of right to invoke my guarantee which was declared after his own request and in good faith to help him secure the necessary funds. Furthermore, I understand the complaints of the Bulgarian Chess Federation concerning the procedure followed, although FIDE was only trying to improve the financial conditions for both players.
In order to restore the procedure towards holding this very important match, FIDE announces the following:
a) The Bulgarian Chess Federation will be re-awarded with the event if it accepts in written form, by 14 November 2008 12:00 GMT, to hold the match with a prize fund of 250,000 USD plus 50,000 USD as contribution to FIDE and all organising expenses covered. In this case, the dates of the match Topalov – Kamsky remain as already announced (29 Nov. – 12 Dec. 2008) and I intend to nominate FIDE Vice President Mr William Kelleher of USA as the FIDE Supervisor of the Organising Committee (*duties of the FIDE Supervisor as annex 1 to this announcement). The confirmation letter of the Bulgarian Chess Federation should be sent by email at office@fide.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and by registered post to the FIDE Secreteriat, address: 9 Syggrou Ave, 11743 Athens, Greece.
b) By 14 November 2008, 12:00 GMT, both players have to officially confirm, in written form and in a clear and explicit way, that they will play the match. If GM Topalov refuses to confirm his participation, then GM Kamsky qualifies automatically for the 2009 WCC match. If GM Kamsky refuses to confirm his participation, he will be replaced by GM Shirov (the runner-up of the World Cup 2007). The confirmation letters should be sent by email at office@fide.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and by registered post to the FIDE Secreteriat, address: 9 Syggrou Ave, 11743 Athens, Greece.
c) If the Bulgarian Chess Federation will not confirm that it accepts the financial requirements of (a), an open bidding procedure will be launched with a deadline of 31 December 2008. The best bid will be awarded with the event which will then be held in February or March 2009.
The unfortunate handling of the situation by Alexander Chernenko has brought us to a point where the time limits are very tight. With this procedure, FIDE puts the Challengers Match back on track and with a clear timetable. We are all looking forward to a great match which will produce a worthy challenger to World Champion Vishy Anand for the year 2009.
Gens Una Sumus!
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
FIDE President
ANNEX 1
Duties of the FIDE Supervisor for the Challengers Match 2008
A FIDE Supervisor will be appointed who will be above the Organising Committee in
all issues involving:
a) fairness concerning treatment of both players in respect of organisational issues,
b) equal playing conditions
c) anti-cheating measures
d) fair publicity of both players through the event’s press office
The FIDE Supervisor can request from the organizer and at their expense, any additional security arrangement he finds necessary in order to secure a fair match and equal match conditions for the players.
The Organising Committee has to follow the orders of the FIDE Supervisor in all issues involving the above aspects before and during the match. Any decision of the FIDE Supervisor can be appealed by one of the players ONLY to the Appeals Committee.
The position of FIDE Supervisor was first introduced in the WCC match Anand – Kramnik this year with FIDE Deputy President Mr Georgios Makropoulos holding this position. Although it is not included in the regulations yet, FIDE will establish the role of FIDE Supervisor in all important matches of the World Championship cycle.
Released by FIDE, 6 November 2008
It is not yet confirmed that it will be in Bulgaria. They have until november 14th to respond. Also both player have to respond until november 14th.
I hope that for once the deadlines will be followed strictly.
Just a speculation: Let’s say that kasmky refuses. Will Shirov accept on such a short notice (only 14 days before the match)?
It’ll be a mistake by Kamsky to set foot in Bulgaria. I bet Danailov and Topalov have devised some way to cheat.
Bla, bla, bla.
Then why don’t you organize the match in America???
I hope Kamsky diqualifies himself. This whole mess is because of him and his manager.
Why can’t the Bulgarians finance it in some neutral venue? They can provide 80% of the financing and FIDE can come up with 20%. What about all the money that Kirsan had guaranteed? I’m sure he can at least come up with 20% of the entire fund that he had initially promised.
If the only condition for Bulgarian financing is that the match take place in Bulgaria, then there must be a catch…
Are you an idiot? The Bulgarians are willing to sponsor the match to promote Sofia and their country. Why would they give money to promote another city or country? What is in it for any sponsor if they get nothing in return.
Troll!
I’m sure everybody is tired to death with all this circus (no offense).
Do we need more prove how impotent FIDE is?
How many people already said that there was NO MONEY?
What good has Kamsky and his team done to chess with their behavior?
Isn’t it time to hear an official statement from the USCF?
I think it is very unlikely for Bulgarians to accept after FIDE wasted almost a year?
The only chance they would will be because Topalov is determined to fight back for the WC title.
Here is a short list of previous posts if anybody needs to refresh their memory.
President guarantees Topalov – Kamsky match (June 1, 2008)
Danailov speaks
To Lvov or not to Lvov
Deal or no deal? (May 15, 2008)
Another Topalov – Kamsky delay (May 12, 2008)
The big day for Topalov and Kamsky (April 23, 2008)
Topalov – Kamsky: Real bid or poker game? (April 14, 2008)
The chess war is brewing (April 10, 2008)
Exactly. Tell me one sponsor that will sponsor smething outside of his “operating area”?
I hope that justice wins and following things happen:
1) Bulgarians organize the match.
2) Kamsky eliminates himself.
3) Shirov defeats Topalov get a shot at the title (which he deserved 10 years ago)
4) Anand wins (because he is just a better and more complete player).
5) No more free passes in the future, just a regular cycle.
The justice may be slow, but it WILL prevail at the end.
I was meant:
3) Shirov defeats Topalov TO get a shot at the title (which he deserved 10 years ago)
“Why would they give money to promote another city or country? What is in it for any sponsor if they get nothing in return.”
The sponsor is a company I suppose, so why should the venue matter. If the company is large enough it might do them well to advertise to a wider audience on an international scale by hosting the match outside of Bulgaria. This will make the company known beyond Bulgarian borders.
It didn’t stop Gazprom from financing the Anand-Kramnik match outside of Russia did it?
How many Bulgarian multi-nationals do you know???
Think before you write.
“The sponsor is a company I suppose, so why should the venue matter. If the company is large enough it might do them well to advertise to a wider audience on an international scale by hosting the match outside of Bulgaria. This will make the company known beyond Bulgarian borders.
It didn’t stop Gazprom from financing the Anand-Kramnik match outside of Russia did it?”
the sponsor of MTEL masters is, as you might have guessed, MTEL. Who the hell knows what MTEL is outside Bulgaria. it’s probably the same sponsor for the WC qualifying match. they wouldnt want to do it anywhere else but Sofia
I expect the Bulgarians to accept; they’ve already made one offer. However, I think Kamsky would refuse.
Kamsky can’t (or won’t) come up with the money. His own web site is soliciting donations as a non-profit organization!
Nikolai Pilafov is correct — this is a circus. All that’s missing is three rings.
I think FIDE should forget about Kamsky and make an offer to Shirov.
Very good question. Why haven’t we heard from the USCF.
Can the USCF raise $175,0000 to organize the match in the US?
This is an average of $2 dollar per member which they could tag to membership renewals or as a voluntary contribution.
I only read some lame statement from Steve Goichberg regarding Ilumzhinov guarantee to organize the match which has been corrected in the latest FIDE statement.
The only serious alternative to a neutral venue would be, to play half of the match in a place one of the opponents proposes, each. This is probably too difficult. Also, we don’t know when halftime really is (considering the score).
But it is absurd just to offer a venue in Bulgaria, if one of the opponents is the Bulgarian chess hero. That’s an impertinence actually, and will not help to have this match.
Challenger match in Bulgaria!! Why waste time and money? Just hand over the win to Topalov/Danailov.
Why are posting old maps of Europe? Is there a reason behind this? Please explain.
oh, must be the correct map. How I miss* to see that failed drug-dealing and jihadist “state” which is living only on EU money and does nothing but harm to other countries. Has Russia recognized it so far?
I like the map!
Are you interested in chess, or are you surfing the net in search of old maps? If you are starting one war after the other and make ethnic cleansing, then you should not be suprised if your territory is shrinking as a consequence of these crimes.
That remark was about Serbia and Kosovo, Bosnia, Montenegro, Macedonia, etc.etc. congratulations. Of course, I guess you think anyone else is to blame but not Serbia.
The particular map is shown here to locate Bulgaria, and that hasn’t changed. – But I agree that this map is not very good.
Bosnia and Macedonia are on the map. Montenegro .. ok
Kosovo however not on the map is a good thing for it is nothing than a criminal and jihadist entity. Really nothing a reasonable mind could deem to be sth. good and worthwhile.
Oh, and regarding Kamsky .. I also would look forward to seeing a Topalov-Shirov match.
You need to accept: Kosovo IS on the map. 52 UN member states have already recognised it’s independence.
If you talk about criminals, I guess you know where to search most of the former war criminals, from the wars Serbia started. Either there, or they are already in Den Haag.
Obviously, Serbia has a very long way to go before it can join the european union. Postings like yours seem like a symptom of your political immaturity. Maybe you should ask Russia to join them, and take their money to help you. Ask them for money and see how big the friendship is. Good luck.
I am sorry for the off topic and I will quit now, but such hate postings like above, against a poor country which had to suffer from the nationalist aggression of Serbia, must not go without contradiction.
here some stuff to read the poor and innocent kosovo, never destroying cultural heritage, always refraining from dealing drugs and never playing the offended while attacking others.
Sorry for that map stuff, just had to pinpoint some things after some very intelligent remark the map was not up to date.
I’m sure Serbia will get into the EU, Kosovo with its anti-western ‘national’ identity will hopefully not.