Alexander Zhukov congratulated Vladimir Kramnik for the victory, emphasizing that this is not just the success of an outstanding chess player, but also a “rescue” for the entire chess world and, certainly, enormous success of Russian chess.

Alexander Roshal broached the idea that Topalov should be admitted to the round robin tournament in Mexico 2007, and then the winner should then play with you a final match.

Vladimir Kramnik: The manager of Topalov, Silvio Danailov, certainly did not show his best side at the WCC 2006, but Topalov as a chess player undoubtedly deserves admittance at the tournament. I consider the old formula with some corrections was most successful in comparison with all the others. They will answer: the match of the Karpov, Spassky, Fischer… and so on… I will defend my position.

Question: Yesterday information appeared about a possible rematch?

Kramnik: I have not thought about it yet. I just found out on the Internet. Today Topalov may challenge me, tomorrow Anand, Leko… Ignoring one of these proposals and playing many matches with one player will not be right.

Mr. Hensel, what is your opinion about Silvio Danailov?

Carsten Hensel: For us it was necessary to fight not only with Danailov, but also with their entire team. All video cassettes during the fourth day were released to Topalov’s team and were reviewed in the presence of the appeals committee. This protest was with the sole purpose to distract Kramnik.

Mr. Zhukov, should Kramnik be given a “Soviet Union style” award?

Alexander Zhukov: We are thinking about an award, but let’s not draw parallels to the Soviet Union methods.

How will you comment that the appeals committee was mainly formed by Topalov’s supporters?

Kramnik: I did not agree with that, but this was the only thing that we could not discuss. We could choose the main arbiter, but not the appeals committee.

During the match you said you were interested in the Champions [soccer] League more than the games themselves?

Kramnik: True, whenever there is Champions League and a Russian team plays, I watch the games. This time was no exception.

Mr. Kramnik, are you thinking of obtaining higher education?

Kramnik: Higher education is not a goal for me. Obtaining a diploma while playing at tournaments is impossible. I have some self-education, which I consider a proper education itself.

In the end of the press conference, came the Vice President of the Russian chess federation, Valerie Zukhov, and said: “We should all be happy. Now it is time for women to take first place in the world also.”

The press conference was reported by 64.ru, RIA Novosti, the site of the Russian Chess Federation, and Topalov Fan Site.
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Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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