Elista, September 28th, 2006
Decision of the Appeals Committee to the appeal of Mr. Danailov
The Appeals Committee has received today an appeal from the Head of the Bulgarian Delegation, Mr. Danailov, regarding the use of the rest rooms and toilets during the match Topalov – Kramnik.
We have received from the Organizers part of the video recording of the rest room from games 1, 2 and 4 and the whole recording of game 3. There were technical problems that did not allow a full recording of the rest rooms where a partial recording was made available.
In the appeal there is an exaggeration of the number of times that Mr. Kramnik visited the toilet. Despite there being an unusual number of visits, this is insufficient on its own to come to a conclusion.
In order that the World Championship can continue running smoothly, the Appeals Committee has decided:
(a) To close both the toilets in the players’ rest rooms and to open another toilet that will be available only to the two players.
(b) Not to accept the request of Mr. Danailov, to stop the use of the rest rooms by the players.
(c) The Appeals Committee believes that the publication of the videotapes to the mass media is not within our authority and we consider such action to be against the privacy of the players.
(d) The Appeals Committee will return the fee of USD 5,000 for the appeal to Mr. Danailov.
The Appeals Committee would like to thank the Organizing Committee for their cooperation and emphasize that thorough inspections, including rest rooms and toilets, are made prior to each game involving the Arbiters and representatives of both players’ delegations. Complete satisfaction has been expressed on all occasions.
Signed by Georgios Makropoulos, Jorge Vega, Zurab Azmaiparashvili
Danailov responded with more dirt, including something about Topalov refusing to shake Kramnik’s hand and give shared interviews.
Kramnik responded that he does not agree to change of conditions. He wants to pace in his rest room which is small, so he extends his pacing into the toilet area as well.
This is chess?? Fire Danailov and resume the games. No amount of toilet trips is worth this disgrace.
I recommended this common toilet idea on this blog.
It is a bad idea. It is hard for both players to use it at once.
I don’t understand why Topalov’s team has decided that they won’t shake hands before the match. They are losing their class.
I have just learnt that during the London match Kasparov also had toilet complaints against Kramnik, as a result of which Kramnik had to be accompanied there and had to leave the door open. Now I understand why after the match Kramnik avoided Kasparov like the plague. It may have been wiser to agree to a rematch, but on a purely human level it’s obvious that nothing could be less pleasant than return to conditions of hysteria, paranoia, accusations and the need to control every move, including those made in the bathrooms. This is harrassment, not honest and innocent concern for chess integrity.
I never thought I’d live to say this, but I root for Kramnik now. He may be a less exciting player, but he doesn’t stoop as low as inspect the toilet habits of his opponents.
I have a question. Is this relaxation room/toilet arrangement normal? If so, then why all the fuss? If not, why was it allowed? I haven’t a clue as to what is normal at this level. The tournaments I’ve played in we shared a toilet area, which no one went to excessively (nor wanted to). This should have been resolved privately. I would have liked to have seen both players and managers behave in an adult manner and get on with the games. The refusal by Topalov to shake Kramnik’s hand is a further demonstration of child like behavior. This makes the whole sport look bad! Is this the image we want to imprint into the public mind? Sportsmanship Gentleman….even if it is only show…for the good of chess!
FIDE says “the same bathroom for both players”
But where will Kramnik smoke?
I think that the FIDE is merely extending preferential treatment to their champion, Topalov by eliminating Kramnik’s smoking room. And thus, Topalov and the FIDE hope to tilt the match back in their favor.