Yes, that’s good. Actually the chess world seems to be more difficult, more complicated all the time so maybe this Association of Chess Professionals has some interesting tasks… What do you think are your main goals for the near future with the Association?
Well, it’s still the same, protect the players’ rights, in all type of situations. We’re trying to develop our dialogue with FIDE which is crucially important and besides we’ll try to develop our ACP tour, a tournament circuit created by the ACP. We managed to organize our first ACP World Rapid Cup last year this year, in the beginning of this year, and we’ll continue looking for other sponsors to develop the circuit. Maybe our next aim will be to create this super circuit for the best players of the season. Well, I mean instead of one single tournament perhaps some series of tournaments and the end of the season. But OK, we should work hard to get there in the middle-future.
Since I haven’t seen yet an official statement by the ACP on the new FIDE cycle, can you explain a little bit what is your opinion of the new cycle, with Mexico, and then the match with Topalov… and Kramnik…
OK. The whole system seems to me quite logical but the problem is that Mr Topalov has got a lot of advantages according to this solution. I mean… OK, it was clear it was not fair to push him out of the whole circle but the current solution is… well the current decision doesn’t seem fair to other top players because he is not even top rated anymore. Why, for example, Topalov should get more privileges than Anand? It seems a little bit strange. And… yes, it’s true you didn’t get any official statement on this matter yet. We’re waiting for the players, top players’ opinions on this matter. Then we’ll see what we should do.
“Why, for example, Topalov should get more privileges than Anand? It seems a little bit strange.”
At the moment you’re speaking with players?
We sent a letter, asking for their opinions, and we’re waiting for their replies.
And could you share maybe some opinions already, or…?
Not really, not really.
Do you know maybe the general opinion of the players who are going to Mexico?
No, that’s why, it’s mostly the players of Mexico to whom we have sent our letter and we’re waiting for their replies so. I would like to share some opinion but they’re not official so I would like not to talk about it. Let’s wait for the official statements of top players. It’s crucially important in this situation.
Here is the full interview.
What’s ACP role with FIDE?
Topalov is better than Anand. So he should get better conditions.
Logical??… But then I realized this outfit supports Kramnik, so he would say that wouldn’t he?
Both Kramnik and Topalov have ridiculously unfair privileges.
Anand, of course, is the big loser from this.
Over the years, he has paid a very heavy price for his completely misguided support of FIDE from 1997 to 2002.
He was very foolish not to accept the chances to play for the real World Championship that Kasparov offered him from 1998 to 2000.