Pierre Barthélémy, a respected chess writer for the newspaper Le Monde in Paris since 1993 just sent me a note.
He stated that he is not so sure that Kramnik has agreed to play in Mexico City as announced by President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov on ChessPro.ru yesterday!!
In an e-mail message dated Tuesday, December 12th, Kramnik’s manager, Carsten Hensel, has told me that “there will be several conversations with FIDE during the next weeks to come”.
So, nothing is final on this subject as negotiation will continue between FIDE and the Kramnik team. Pierre wrote an article about this on his blog.
I suspect that Kramnik will play in Mexico City in 2007 but his team will try to get every possible favorable condition from President Ilyumzhinov and FIDE before finalizing the deal. The question now is which side will blink first? After all, Kramnik did sign a contract regarding Mexico City before his unification match with Topalov. And the drama continues…
Our friends from France have always been very helpful with the news! Thank you Pierre for this update!
Of course Kramnik won’t come. The article in chesspro.ru looks like a hearsay anyway. Another attempt by Kramnik to stir up his media. Kramnik is a despicable coward.
All those who in the previous thread applauded Kramnik for his participation in Mexico – make a public excuse in this thread.
A sensible decision if he won’t play. Current rules are inverted. _Matches_ to qualify for the final _tournament_ in which the world champion will be determined. Ever heard of such nonsense? An intelligent solution would have been to make Mexico City 2007 a candidates tournament. But hey, that’s FIDE. They always invent new rules, consistently fuck up everything, consider themselves to be more important than chess in general and the title and its holder in particular, and continue to make the world champion an exchangeable dummy of their own grace. I applaud Kramnik for not simply giving in.
Kramnik is the worst thing to happen to chess… can’t wait for this egomaniac to be replaced… Anand or Topalov would be a much better champion… actually, anyone but Kramnik
Let Kramnik hide in his toilet. Chess would be better off without him.
I was stunned by the “news” yesterday. It just didn’t make sense.
The people who applauded him yesterday were correct to do so since it would be an amazingly altruistic gesture on his part.
Hopefully an agreement can be reached sometime this century
I wrote on this blog several weeks ago, after the first or the second game of Kramnik-Topalov, that the entire construct was erroneous, assuming that what the media reported about the contract was true.
Now it is coming out, and it is obvious. The reason Kramnik didn’t show up on the previous round robin tournaments, because he claimed that he defeated Kasparov, Leko, in traditional style meeting, and he is the world champion. Why on earth would he show up now, for the exact same thing he didn’t recognize for years? It’s been said that he agreed in the contract. It is not logical. Even the plan is that the winner of such tournaments will play the world champion next year in a traditional one on one match (even year-odd year plan).
Also makes no sense that Topalov can’t play. That would mean several other player, ranked below him will have a chance for the title, EXCEPT him, still the highest rated player in the world.
The very fact that it is now a question whether Kramnik will play or not, suggests to me that the media may have gotten the “contract” wrong, or it was really constructed with several fundamental errors.
What WOULD BE logical, if Kramnik didn’t play (Topalov would, if he wanted to) and the winner of that tournament would be the next challenger to Kramnik.
The line is Spassky – Fischer – Karpov – Kasaparov – Kramnik –
Whatever FIDE wants to do, or who they want to appoint as World Champion is irrelevant…
FIDE needs to respect the original system in some form… the recent World Champion of the Month format they are using now makes my head hurt.
Ilogical system or not he is going to play!
Otherwise he looses the title.
And everybody (especially some top players) would love that to happen.
Me too.He is a borring chess player.
Besides,he is not a true champ in my eyes.
7:7 with Leko and 6:6 with Topalov.
Surely ,a clear demonstration of his domination.
Poor Kramnik haters just don’t understand the brilliance of positional and correct chess. You guys must be coffeehouse players to the bone!
Yes,I admit I’m a poor “Kramnik’s hater”.But not becouse of his style.
I got in stitches to see his blunder: MATE in ONE in game vs. DF10.Quite a positional play!He,he,he.
I don’t remember when that last happen to me.I was eight years old or so.
-FM
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
for “the anonymous” and the average “Kramnik hater” at all – i’ll cite the Holy Bible –
(Matthew 7:3)
Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
LMAO – great discussion around a paradoxon created by the FIDE (not by Kramnik or Topalov):
assume Kramnik takes part in Mexico, further assume Kramnik would WIN that tournament – the result would be a WCC matchplay Kramnik vs. Kramnik … ^^
i predict – if the match will consist of 12 games – a small edged result: 11 draws and a “lucky punch” win by missing a mate in two in game 11.
of course Kramnik would keep all his titles, to become immortal as the first chess world champion ever, who has to defend his own title against himself – and did so (after a tough fight, of course!)…
these are great perspectives for chess at large and the world chess champion title especially, aren’t they?
if i were Kramnik, i won’t make a fool of myself, defending “my” match play title in a round robin tournament farce, only to face the number 1 player (who, by contractual reasons, does not participate in this tournament) in a possible additional match, to defend “my” title again, and again, and again…
… but – ok – money makes the world go round and it maybe will also make “my” qualms to end in smoke…
i am not Kramnik – so, let us see and wait and have tea and fruitless “discussions” around the topic:
will he or will he not?
btw: the situation in “premier chess” nowadays reminds me a little of the situation of “premier chess” in the times of Lasker and Capablanca. Kramnik might be a first class candidate to dispute Lasker as the most controversial world chess champion of all times…
Is Kramnik the world chess champion or isn’t he? I was under the impression that he played Topalov for the title and won. It is ludicrous for him to have to play a tournament in Mexico City or anywhere else to determine the world chess champion. If anything, the Mexico City event should be held only to determine who will play Kramnik in a championship match. To my knowledge, the only time a tournament determined the world chess champion was in the 1940’s when a replacement had to be found for Alekhine who passed away while still the reigning title holder.
>>The people who applauded him yesterday were correct to do so since it would be an amazingly altruistic gesture on his part.>>
Altruistic to whom? It’s nice to the Mexico City organizers, who want to run a World Championship tournament, but not so nice to the chess world at large, who mostly support a match based world championship.
Greatest good for the greatest number and all that.
>>All those who in the previous thread applauded Kramnik for his participation in Mexico – make a public excuse in this thread.>>
And those who were unhappy about it were relieved that the destruction of the world championship has been delayed again.
>>The reason Kramnik didn’t show up on the previous round robin tournaments,
>>
Well, there’s only been one previous Round Robin; San Luis. The others were those Best of 2 FIDE Lottery tournaments.
>>Why on earth would he show up now, for the exact same thing he didn’t recognize for years?
>>
He might, if Kok and the ACP had been unable to arrange a cycle of their own. If FIDE’s the only game in town, you play it.
>>
The very fact that it is now a question whether Kramnik will play or not, suggests to me that the media may have gotten the “contract” wrong, or it was really constructed with several fundamental errors.
>>
Possibly, but if so, he hasn’t been very aggressive in challenging the “error”, if there is one. If this very common belief is in error, he could at least point it out on his own website.
Of course Kasparov was “legally” forfeited in 1993 as well. The problem is getting people to recognize it. The fans have a right to ask for a decision over the board.
>>Also makes no sense that Topalov can’t play. That would mean several other player, ranked below him will have a chance for the title, EXCEPT him, still the highest rated player in the world.
>>
He’s been eliminated over the board. It’s sad, but it happens. His exclusion makes more sense than, say, Ivanchuk’s exclusion from San Luis while people rated much lower were playing. There was no qualification at all for San Luis, just 8 handpicked players. Not even the best 8.
>>
What WOULD BE logical, if Kramnik didn’t play (Topalov would, if he wanted to) and the winner of that tournament would be the next challenger to Kramnik.
>>
That’s not logical, it’s intuitive. But does Mexico City even want Topalov, considering what a loose cannon he’s shown himself to be? When he’s not doing well, he loses his head and tosses out wild accusations without evidence, in direct violation of FIDE Ethics Rules, I might add. The negative publicity he could bring to the tournament might far outweigh any value he might contribute.
“Ilogical system or not he is going to play! Otherwise he looses the title.”
~Depends on your definition of Title. FIDE’s title yes, World Champion’s Title, no!
O, dear.
If he plays, he’s criticised; if he doesn’t, he’s criticised.
Ah, well.
Why it can’t revert to tried and tested, zonal-interzonal-candidates-
championship…
So unlike the stabler format from years back…
A recent world champ decider..and now that they’ve got a unified champ, he’s gotta quickly throw his hat back in the ring with all the other contenders..suspect, that for some, there’s more of an urgency for them to have Kramnik in Mexico (some ppl hoping he loses there) that if Topalov had come out on top…
http://www.chesscafe.com/misha/misha.htm
MS: By the way, is Vladimir more open with his inner circle than he is with journalists?
TN: Well (pause)… He is not a very open person. And this sometimes turns against him. I am talking about his illness. It was painful to read critical statements about Volodya, knowing that he was seriously ill. For example, at the Olympiad people were saying – wow, he lost so much weight! Well, by that time he had already gained quite a lot of weight! I am just incredibly happy to see a close friend healthy again.
With all due respect to Topalov, for me the result in Elista depended on one man. It was only a question of whether he would recover in time or not. The super-GMs realize who Kramnik is more than anyone else … they all know who is the strongest. I have the deepest respect for all these excellent players, but I think that Volodya will only lose to a representative of another generation. The question is: who is the next chosen one?
MS: You know Aronian quite well, is he the chosen one?
TN: (Pause) He is. But this is the first time I have openly said so.
MS: His strength is of quite a different nature than Kramnik’s?
TN: Of course! It couldn’t be the same. Levon has the brightest personality, much more mature than his age would suggest, and I really like the direction he is developing in.
MS: But is it of any importance in chess? I mean, for the result? To put it frankly, does your rating grow because you grow as a person?
TN: I am sure of it. The brighter and more multifaceted a person you are, the easier it is for you to find new ideas in chess. Otherwise, the whole thing will suddenly become boring! I am sure Fischer fell into this trap. You may like or dislike Karpov and Kasparov, but they are outstanding people. I am sure it assists their chess.
MS: What makes Aronian such a good player?
TN: Actually, I don’t think we can fully understand a genius. After the Tal Memorial, Aronian said that he sometimes tries playing like Kramnik. Very well! Try it! Try playing like Kramnik, like Kasparov – expand your frame of knowledge! And, first and foremost, the knowledge of yourself.
Yes,I admit I’m a poor “Kramnik’s hater”.But not becouse of his style.
If anyone followed this blog for a while, I am not a “Kramnik lover”. In fact, I have no particular emotions toward any chess player. What is the point to be a “Kramnik hater”? Or a “Topalov hater”? One of the fundamental aspect of chess that it is an INTELLECTUAL activity. People play it. One can like the style of any particular chess player, or dislike the style of another, but to HATE one as a person is downright silly.
Gabor
One anon said:
Besides,he is not a true champ in my eyes. 7:7 with Leko and 6:6 with Topalov.Surely ,a clear demonstration of his domination.
Seldom do great chess players have an overwhelming record against one another.
A great Kasparov won the world champion title by a margin of ONE point against Karpov (12.5-11.5).
He defended that title, again against Karpov the same way Kramnik against Leko: 12-12, but he was already the champ, thus retained the title. In 1990, once again Kasparov defeated Karpov by a single point (12.5-11.5). Thus, out of 72 games against each other, Kasparov had an edge of TWO games. Hardly a convincing record, BUT…….these were the rules, that’s how it works.
Gabor
Fischer’ record (20-0-0)against Larsen, Taimanov, Petrosian and Spassky… now that is true domination!!!
Gabor, Kasparov won by one or two points against Karpov in his prime(or past his prime by few years).. none, not before nor after could claim that. Karpov is imho an even better, more talented player than Kasparov ever was, the second best player in history by far.
There is no comparison to the no-personality Topalov and the coward Kramnik.
Maybe they are coming to an arrangement for Kramnik to be first in line as a challenger IF he doesn’t win the tournament in Mexico?
In any case it isn’t much of a surprise that FIDE is making definite announcements about uncertain events.
6:6? He beat Topalov 6:5 over the board. And 8½-6½ overall. Again we see people trying to sneak forfeits in under the table as being examples of chessplaying skill.
Gabor said:
What is the point to be a “Kramnik hater”? Or a “Topalov hater”?
>>
People enjoy hating for its own sake. Who they hate is not as important as finding someone to hate, and stick to it.
And of course, part of it is simple partisanship. Topalov is the only world class player Bulgaria has ever had, so Bulgarians are going to like whatever he offers. If he were a solid positional player, the same people would be extolling the virtus of position play. In this case it’s not a question of who do I like, it’s who’s waving my flag?
>>
One can like the style of any particular chess player, or dislike the style of another, but to HATE one as a person is downright silly.
Gabor
>>
People do it because they enjoy it. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t. Whether it makes any sense is totally beside the point. You’re not going to change anyone’s behavior with that tack.