And there were no protests (in your matches)? (Discussing about the appeal process from Karpov’s previous experience)
Karpov: There were protests. But the Appeals Committee was comprised of people who could be trusted, and were of unimpeachable reputation. And specialists, naturally. There is no need to speak of Azmaiparashvili, and particularly of his reputation. Thanks to the fact that the players were given no say in the matter, you end up with “operators” like him on the committee. Work on this committee is paid, and paid very well, so of course, there are lots of people wanting the job. But only those who are reliable and deserving should get it. It seems clear that Illumzhinov realised that they had messed up, but he was unable to clear up all of the mess. And if Kramnik continues the match, it means that they have simply stolen a point from him.
Perhaps Kramnik’s team did not do things quite right? They could have protested before the game.
Karpov: In general, frankly speaking, I do not understand all of these goings-on, but it is perfectly clear that the Bulgarian delegation wanted to disturb Kramnik’s equanimity, and thereby to try to improve their chances. They have succeeded. They got a point illegally. I don’t know how this has affected Kramnik’s morale, but it can hardly have helped. I would say that they used immoral methods. It would perhaps be difficult to sue anyone over this, although I think it could be possible to do so successfully, all the more so considering that Illumzhinov, as President, has the power to overrule the Appeals Committee. If he can overrule their first decision, and dismiss them, then that means he can overrule their subsequent decisions also. If their first decision is illegal, that means so was their second.
Ilyumzhinov said that legally, the score has to be 3:2…
Karpov: He got himself into this mess, and getting out of it is not simple. Of course, whatever you do, one side or the other will be unhappy. If one speaks of the moral side of it, I don’t understand how Topalov can continue to play on with such a burden. I could not. But as far as Topalov is concerned, everything is great – he took a shot and seized his chance!
If you were in Kramnik’s place, would you play on?
Karpov: I would not continue the match.
The rest can be read on ChessBase.
Original interview on 64 in Russian.
Interview by Oleg Pervakov
(translated by Steve Giddins) 
Karpov does not justify his claim that “they got a point illegally.”
Okay…stupid question; How do you “appeal” a chess match?
http://livefromblogdahd.blogspot.com/
Karpov is an expert in moral behavior and impeccable character! Hahahahah!! With the help of The Russian controlled FIDE he became Champion over Robert James Fischer, The Real World Champion without making 1 move!!!!! Oh and yes its purely coincendence that Karpov is Russian!!!!!
Did they have a press conference after the game today?
Does anyone (e.g. the arbiter) know how many times the players went to the bathrooms, which are still not monitored during the games? I wonder if Kramnik is still making so many trips there.
It’s interesting that there was such vilification of the Appeals Committee, so that they were forced to resign. Their writeup of their process seemed quite reasonable to me. But given all the attacks, I would have left too.
I hope Kirsan is as fair as they were. Now we’ve got a one-man show with no checks and balances; the man is still in Russia and has come straight from getting his instructions from Putin.
@tfk – Robert James Fischer turned from Chess World Champion to World Champignon by simply not playing any game (besides the rematch in belgrad for a few dollars to earn) – after his cowardly refutation to play Toljia –
Fischer today delight’s himself by nazi parols, anti semitism, insanity and learning icelandic, a language spoken by – let’s say – 250,000 people (and he is not good in that, what i’m hearing about)
please stop making Karpov a dickhead!!!
Karpov hands are not exactly clean as to the manner he became World Champion. He’s really not in much of a position to make these comments.
Karpov, Kok, Lautier…. They all have their own agenda and biases. Yawn.
Karpov realizes that if Topalov is going to beat Kramnik, he will not beat him by hoping that Kramnik will make mistakes in familiar situations. To beat Kramnik, Topalov must play NEW brilliant moves and variations, alike Kasparov did vs. Karpov (why Kasparov won these exceptionally close matches).
On the other hand, now that Team Topalov–The Three Stooges: Danailov, Topalov, and Ilyumzhinov have stolen a point from Kramnik successfully, what is to stop them from doing it again and again?
To reiterate Ilyumzhinov’s flawed basis for awarding Topalov the point:
1) Ilyumzhinov dismissed the Appeals committee on the grounds that they had incorrectly managed Topalov’s protest and Kramnik’s subsequent reply. I.e., Topalov asked for and received video surveilance tapes from the Appeals Committee concerning Kramnik’s restroom visits and toilet visits during games 1 through 4, then subsequently allegated foul-play based upon nothing more than their suspicion, and not evidence of any true foul play by Kramnik (this is akin to crying “Fire” in a crowded theatre). Subsequently, the Appeals Committee acquiesced to team Topalov’s bizarre demands and subsequently changed the match circumstances illegally: They accepted team Topalov’s objection after the two-hour window following game 4, and they notified Kramnik of the team-Topalov instigated match changes right before game 5. Thus, the Appeals Committee–Ilyumzhinov’s representatives–violated the match’s notification window rule, as well. And thus, the Appeals Committee–acting in Ilyumzhinov’s stead–legally, morally, and literally violated the match agreement (the match basis/rules).
Upon arriving at the match, Ilyumzhinov immediately realized that the Appeals Committee had erred. but he realized that he must further complicate the affair to award the illegal point to Topalov and keep the match interesting (and not allow it to become a walk-over for Kramnik too early in the match, thus making him, FIDE, and Topalov look bad, as well as lose fan interest). To do this, Ilyumzhinov only compounding this comedy of errors: he ruled that Kramnik was justified in his outrage over team Topalov’s objections to his toilet usage, that the Appeals Committee erred by censoring Kramnik and breaking the match contract with Kramnik, BUT as far as the illegally gained Game 5 point, he said that “what’s done is done” in true dictator fashion, and subsequently awarded Topalov the illegal point for game 5.
If Kasparov where playing, by now we would be marching in the streets demanding satisfaction, millions of us marching to overthrow the Ilyumzhinov regime.
Karpov is 100% a clear thinker. he sees it correctly.
Susan listen to Karpov. He is correct you are wrong and stubborn. Your position has cost you terribly.
it takes a crook to know a crook.
Karpov seems to be an expert at knowing who is a crook. He should be right. he should know.
Karpov received more favorable rulings by a controlled (fixed) organization than any recent champion. i’m always interested in his chess opinion, but I have no interest in his political chess opinion. Karpov would later, as champion, receive many of the items Fischer asked for to defend his title.
Yes dante, Ilyumzhinov is in effect saying “Sorry Kramnik, Topalov and the FIDE Appeals Committee (my agents) made a grievios mistake, and then subjected you to unfair ridicule and character assination; however, to make it up to you, I’ll award a point to Topalov.”
Catch 22
@Vohaul, To set the record straight on the aborted 1975 WCC for ignorant people like you and other people who dont know the truth, here are the facts. When Robert Fischer became World Chess Champion, he declared that after 40 years of Russian domination that he would ask once and only once to name the conditions of the WCC Match. Russia (FIDE), knew that if they stalled negotiations over the match and fought his demands, Bobby was uncompromising over his principles, and they knew Fischer would never agree and they could steal the Title back to Russia during the arms race in the early 1970’s. Losing his Title to Russian politics was Fischers mental undoing, losing his lifes work and passion he sunk into despair. Now then Vohaul, you demand that I not tarnish Karpov’s reputation but you are the one who calls him profanity! I should not say anything about Anatoli’s theft of The WCC in 1975 but you insult and ridicule one the greatest chess minds ever! How is that just? Many of the things Fischer says and does now is the result of mental illness of some kind. Since when is being mentally ill a crime, and the cause for hatred and lies on your part? You are from Germany I believe so you would know more about Nazism than Bobby Fischer. To hate and ridicule someone because they are sick is no better than what the Nazi’s were all about!